Classical music: 552 or 252?

The ability to change input button assignments is a desirable advantage of the 552.  Nick

As a classical music lover - from medieval to modern music specially  symphonic, and as a Nac552 owner  (I owned in the past  a 

Supercaped Nac282 ) I  find the 552   more than suitable  to this kind of music. I never demoed a Nac252.

Best Regards,

Fabian

No irony or disrespect intended in my obtuse response.  252 is a rare bird in these parts -- never heard/seen one.  I do find the all-out flxibility of the 552 compelling, if it is an option.

Nick

Either would be nice.

I doubt that anything more than cost will be a real decider.

One thing I always think is useful to bear in mind, especially with classical musicc, is the question of many live concerts you could go to for the cost of replay. At least with classical music the best and most memorable experinces will be found at real concerts.

ATB from George

Agree with George - live concerts are the real experience.

but to you question.

Both pre-amps are very well suited. If you would only listen to chamber music and piano the difference would be less between the two. The 552 would be still ahead in resolution and tonality, but you could potentially live with the difference. For orchestral music the 552 just brings in that extra benefit of being completely on control and give the punch and dynamics when needed and the absolute clarity of what's happening including soundstage. While saying this. It would of course require at least a 300 to also benefit to the max of these advantages.

So if I again would be presented with the choice and would limit my interests to classical music I would still choose the 552, while realizing that one can have a very good hearing experience with the 252, topping most of the offerings out in the market.

as a final remark, please keep also in mind that the source also plays an important role in the overall story. You would to at least make sure that the source is then also on th appropriate level.

552 way ahead in my opinion and even for small ensembles - gets the cello in a way the 252 entirely fails to, for example....

A good amp will play anything well. If it can't then it's not a good amp. The 252 and 552 are superb at their price points. Decide a budget, audition and buy accordingly.

Don't know if that applies to Jazz because I only listen to music.

The 552 is miles better and that's that, irrespective of what music one listens to. 

No hifi gear is clever enough to have a "taste chip". They are passing on signals. I suspect when when you asked the question you knew that the 552 is the better pre-amp. If you have the system and the budget to match, go for it. 

Harry posted:

A good amp will play anything well. If it can't then it's not a good amp. The 252 and 552 are superb at their price points. Decide a budget, audition and buy accordingly.

Don't know if that applies to Jazz because I only listen to music.

+1 Accurate and to the point.

Hungryhalibut posted:

The 552 is miles better and that's that, irrespective of what music one listens to. 

Absolutely 100%.

When I worked in the trade, customers would also ask about gear from the point of view of suitabilit to music genre. Our reply was always that if something is clearly suited to a specific genre then it has problems. It needs to excel at everything at its price point. Of course, very narrow muscial tastes may mean you have the freedom to choose from a wider range of lesser components that happen to not show their deficiencies with the music you like but would never recommend that.

If a 552 is better than a 252 that should be all there is to it.

Harry posted:

A good amp will play anything well. If it can't then it's not a good amp. The 252 and 552 are superb at their price points. Decide a budget, audition and buy accordingly.

Don't know if that applies to Jazz because I only listen to music.

The Mu-so is good with Jazz.

But the 552 is better.

Just to be clear, that was a joke. Well, my attempt.

MuSo also plays anything well - for its price point, As would be expected. It's what good stuff does.

A good amp is a good amp regardless of genre - and the 252 is an outstanding amp and the 552.........

The Strat (Fender) posted:

A good amp is a good amp regardless of genre - and the 252 is an outstanding amp and the 552.........

+1 - albeit they both have slightly different presentations - and there lies the path to dragons... and so there is a degree of what you are used to or prefer on how you will gauge music you are familiar with. The AES has some fascinating research papers on subjective quality assessment of audio replay - and many of the triggers appear to have little to do with the inherent quality of the actual equipment itself ..

Simon: are some of these papers available for non-AES-members like me? I have read some of Floyd Tooles papers and they are quite insightful.

Yes - some are - particularly where the research is publicly funded

http://www.aes.org/openaccess/

Thank you! Which search criteria should I use?

I just typed in 'subjective quality assessment' and the first two papers look highly relevant.

 These two and the ones regarding spatial placement look promising. I have already downloaded all four, and with the weekend approaching, should have time to read them.

Thanks Jan - just returned to the forum and you beat me to it - there is an interesting new paper published in Jan/Feb journal which I think is Open Access "On Some Biases Encountered in Modern Audio Quality Listening Tests (Part2): Selected Graphical Examples and Discussion" S Zielinski 

Enjoy

Never listened the 552, but If there wasn't any noticeable difference between the two, then I would question Naim's pricing model. Still, my view is that if you put them in a less than perfect system, the difference will become a lot smaller than that of their respective price tag.
I feel that at that level, synergy is very important, else you are wasting money.

Thank you all, Bert and Simon in particular, for your feedbacks. All to make a lot of sense. Answer really is to try and listen in situ. A bit late if to beat the 1st April increase with ex demos or S/H.

I had read and heard comments where a very few have preferred 252 over 552 for its more recessed and balanced presentation with 300 - a marvelous combo that should also greatly benefit from DR upgrade.  

Chag -

Chag... posted:

I had read and heard comments where a very few have preferred 252 over 552 for its more recessed and balanced presentation with 300

Chag -

I should think a very few at the absolute most, given that this is nonsense.

252/300 is a very well balanced and poised combination but no match for a 552/300. If people prefer a 252 with a 300 that's all good and cost effective, but to imply the 552 is somehow unbalanced, or for that matter that a 252 is recessed is frankly crap.

The 300 is a little beauty (although no more balanced or more recessed that a 500) and the DR upgrade will, I expect, be more that a little significant.