Going to a 552?

If the question was 'should I spend significant money on HiFi' then another discussion can be had - mainly on what do you want to achieve and can you afford it.

Since this is a HiFi forum and the OP has the opportunity to try at home and return if not delighted, then the obvious thing to do is just that - try it.

G.

+1. The OP isn't asking how to spend £10,000, he's rightly asking advise of others on the forum whether the 552 would suit his system. He should obviously listen to it in his own room and decide for himself but I'm sure once he hears what the 552 can do the preamp won't be going back within the 30 days grace he's being given. 

I upped to 552 a few months ago, buying a used DR'd unit. It replaced a 252 and connected to a 300. It was about half book price. For me, the 252 was a major step from the previous 282. The 552 was all this again in spades. This mated with the 300 until I acquired a 500 a while later. I would recommend the 552 for the right price. Everything improved. Again, and for me, it also ticked a box in that I knew the 552 was the ceiling of my abitions. Getting there is a great place to be. I do not think you will regret such a buy. I do also endorse the view that 300/500 is not about power. That said, I have never heard a 250.

dave

Greetings ZHB,

Firstly; chewing the numbers is of debatable value with our strange addiction. Just accept that the price of even a used 552 is very silly indeed and that your 'normal' friends will pronounce you potty if you buy it.

It's a passion thing where the heart has to rule the head. I find that adopting the advice of the Vogons is helpful - 'Resistance is useless'.

Your sources are easily good enough to justify a pre-DR'd 552, let alone the much improved later model. I wouldn't bother with a 252. Ploughing pertinent furrows hereabouts will reveal mixed opinions about the 252. As ever; only the individual can decide.

BTW - bear in mind that the Naim five year guarantee only covers parts and labour for the first two years. Thereafter; parts only.

Oh; and you will have to strive to resist a 300 in due course I'm afraid. It is most definitely not about power, but finesse.

Good luck.

John.

With the option to return it I would grab it in a heartbeat. If you have a 30 day window the risk appears to be low, and since you only live (this life) once ........

Thanks for the (mostly) civil feedback. If I can get it at my target price I don't think I will be able to let it slip through my fingers.

So in your opinion.... better to power the superline via the 552 powered din as opposed to using a hicap? Would that opinion change if the Superline were powered by a Supercap?

I think the difference between the 552 and HiCap is marginal enough to say the HiCap is not an economic proposition in this context. The Supercap is a different kettle of fish and worth consideration.

 Sounds like a good move the.

I do wonder though why a dealer demo 2013 552 + 552 PS DR would only have about 300 hours of use on it as it does not seem very much.

About a year ago I was tempted to do something similar and it seemed to make sense financially, but it the end the sale v trade in value of my 252/Suepcap DR and allure of being the first owner of a piece of 500 kit got the better of me.

ZHB, always listen to good old JN, he miracously always manages to add a lovely sense of humanity ( read good sense of humour) to his posts but is also always right. Prepare yourself for a journey should you decide on the 552........  ATB Peter

I would get the 250.2 to DR upgrade first.

You may find (as I did) that no further upgrades are needed after that. 

Yes I have heard 552/500 many times, but the 250DR does something else that is quite special, you just have to hear it for yourself.

Lower noise floor, more PRAT, more engaging, more musical.

In my view now, getting the power amp upgrade to DR is the first thing to upgrade instead of pre-amp.

Well, yes, the 250 DR is great, and I've got one. I've also owned a 552 and know how good it is. If ZHB can afford it then why suggest he doesn't get it? 

He said he was planning to DR his 250 in 2016 anyway. Why miss a good opportunity. Dr'ing a NAC may or may not be as effective as Dr'ing a NAP (wouldn't know, only DR'd a NAC to date), but he has an opportunity to have both.

Agreed 

Zipperheadbanjo, go grab your audition or 30 day evaluation  .. I am sure you will enjoy, but do listen carefully at home. Despite what you might read here a 552 is not automatically better, I have heard some very disappointing 552 setups as well as extremely good. Even with the 552 it's about system, speaker and room synergy.

By auditioning you have no pressure or expectation bias, and if its right for you, and the chances are it will be, the go ahead you lucky fellow.. as that is a steal of a price in my opinion.

Simon

What a happy position to be in. Please enjoy the process, ZHB, whatever the outcome.

Best,

C.

Edit: Can we take it your room has now been deemed big enough for the Proacs?....

if the OP really wants the 552, he should close the deal quickly

because someone else might just buy it first now that it has been made public that a 552 is available at a good price. It won't be that difficult to work out which dealer has it.

Good Memory Christopher... the Proac's are working out just fine in the new room. I've put up some room treatments which I think helps a lot... the room is well damped... but I don't think over damped. Sounds good to my ears.

Have worked out a definite price with the seller... and since the reference for most here is GBP I've gone ahead and converted from Canadian.... it would be 11.8 GBP tax in.

Going to sleep on it. Thanks for the feedback everyone. I love the enthusiasm!