Upgrade 282 to 252, or SC non DR to SC DR, or Nap250 to Nap300

Why not ask your friend if you can try the 252 before you buy.

Maybe , just maybe, what about a DR upgrade of the 250.

I enjoyed the 282/S.Cap/250 combo. I thought the 252 may have been too subtle (laid back) for my taste. And not the significant enhancement I was looking for. I was fortunate to be able to go to a 552 instead. After auditioning of course.

I agree with sheffieldgraham here.  The 252 is presentationally different from the 282.  I have twice had a 252 on extended demo at home in my 282/SC(nonDR)/250.2 system and on both occasions concluded that I preferred the way the 282 presented music. I decided to get my SuperCap Dr'ed instead. Others on here prefer the more detailed and laid-back 252.  You might prefer the 252 too but I strongly advise you to listen before committing.

Mike

Way back in 2014, I was in the same position you are in now, and one of the quotes from the Forum that highly influenced me was the following:

I've had 282 with HC and SC, 252 and 552. Clearly, 552 is the best - there is just a certain "rightness" to it that it is instantly recognizable.

 

If I had to do it all over, I would have gone straight to a 282 with supercap and stayed with it until a secondhand 552 became available.

 

A 282 with supercap won't resolve absolutely everything from the recording, but it will be close enough that you never care, IMO.

 

 

Well I didn't follow my First Thoughts and ended up with a Hi Cap DR/282.  I don't know, but it just seems like the 282 was designed to be at its best with the SC 2, and what the heck why not DR it! 

Then 3-5 years from now cash it all in for a 2nd Hand 552DR/500DR! 

JMHO

Heresy! How dare you come to this conclusion?! You had better get back in line, lest The Authority of this forum will strike down with knowledge and call out your "cunning plan to mislead forum members who might be considering a purchase of a 252".

Let's not forget "there are a number of respected forum members who clearly have purchased a 252 and hear the advantages compared to 282".

Amen!

i do like the Supercap and 282 presentation.

Unfortunately I won't be able to demo this 252 as 3,500kms from me in Perth. There appears to be a lot of divided option on 252 upgrade, it seems the only way is find someone in WA with a 252 for a demo to see if it is right for me. 

Thanks for the valued comments. 

Ah, totemphile. It takes one heretic to spot another. 

Mike

Well spotted, I confess. 

Crusty,

IIRC Naim have never recommended a 252 with anything less than a CDS3.

Chris

I would go dr on the supercap. Works great with CDS3 and 300.

Regards,

Nick

Hi well I have owned 282 and currently the 252 with various PSUs. To me the element that seems to drastically change the sonic character is whether the PSUs for the NAC are DR'd or not. To me the HiCap non DR and to some extent the SC non DR exhibit a slight mid bass hump/warmth, that goes when you use a HiCapDR and SCDR. I found not a huge difference between the HiCapDR and SCDR on the 282, and the SCDR seems to transform the 252 from sounding reserved and subtle into a forthright, balanced and mightily insightful pre.

So if you plan to get the 252, and you like a more forthright, insightful and  agile presentation then get your SuperCap DR'd.

BTW my CDX2 native sounds amazing into 252DR/250.2.. In fact it never sounded better..

Simin

282/SC are a great combo as they are - i'd improve the amp and go for the NAP300.

Well OP, from the polarized views you see you can't go wrong with either a DRed 282 or Dred 252, so let your wallet make the decision and down the road, who knows maybe 552 Territory in 2 or 3 years! 

Meanwhile enjoy your gear, it is nice! 

Easy used 552! No brainer

Interesting thread since I am faced with a similar prospect. Like you I am a looooong way from a country with a Naim dealer and using a 282/SCDR already into a 250.2.

My dealer wants me to migrate to a 252 when I send the 250 in for DRing next year. Personally, I am not so sure. I actually did feel there was significant improvement going from a HCDR to a SCDR on the 282 (especially in the soundstage which really opened up front to back). I certainly don't think a 282 is outclassed by a 300. I'd really like a business trip to crop up where I can do the comparison. I had done the 52 to 82 comparison and preferred the 52 but never a direct 282 to 252 comparison and a 252 is a bit more than a punt.

Also starting to get concerned that swapping the 282 for a 252 or a 250 for a 300 is going to be a bit much for the Twenty.23s in terms of appreciating the gains.

Up until about 5 weeks back I had 282 Supercap non DR and it was great.  I did the DR upgrade on the Supercap and that brought increased 3D sound with more air around the instruments and a lower noise floor.  But, for some reason there was a sense of being out of balance in the context of my system, possibly due to lack of warm up from the DR before I upgraded to the 252.  The 252 seems for some unknown reason to render a sense of more power available from the 250.2 amp.  Even more 3D sound and further noise floor reduction.  The change from 282 to 252 in the context of my system was a rather great delightful leap.

If you can get the 252 at a good price, you won't be disappointed from what I have experienced.  Not sure though what the influence on front end and speakers bring to this - I run CD555DR and S-400's speakers.

Regards

Hutch

Thanks for all feedback. 

I previously had a HC DR on the 282, which did work rather well. opportunity then came up for a secondhand SC2 non DR, which further enhanced the soundstage and depth. i took a leap of faith buying it, without audition due to the remoteness of Perth. The ultimate plan was to power a 252 in the future.  It would be disappointing to potentially lose the Naim sound I like now with 252, not to mention the grief of missus preferring the 282. 

DR and service on SC2 may also be a safer option for now. Then DR the 250.2 later. What is average turnaround time for DR upgrades? 

Crusty 

Sorry, 252 is not laid back in any way, it is one of the best pres on this planet ; i would go for it!