Silver lining?

congratulations, it's been quite a journey for you till the 552, glad you are enjoying it !!! 

Glad to hear that the 552 is pleasing you. Even though I use a 555PSDR on my nDAC, I still found there was a performance benefit from putting a Powerline on the nDAC.  Worth trying. 

I would agree that a powerline on NDac and 555PS is definitely an improvement over the standard cables  - much more realism. In fact the only Naim kit I've not got a Powline to work on is my CDX2. I thought it tended to overblow the bass a little too much. I always reverted to the standard cable for its balance and musicality.

It’s amazing how I cannot imagine it sounding better, because within my modest circumstance I have optimised what I’ve got.  My ignorance from others’ systems makes me wonder what a £30k speaker does or even what a Statement does!! But I assume if one has a very large listening room and speaker size this is probably apparent.

My room is 5mx 6m rectangle and so I can’t have bigger speakers. So maybe the last bit of polish is from two more Powerlines for Xmas!

Consciousmess posted:

It’s amazing how I cannot imagine it sounding better, because within my modest circumstance I have optimised what I’ve got.  My ignorance from others’ systems makes me wonder what a £30k speaker does or even what a Statement does!! But I assume if one has a very large listening room and speaker size this is probably apparent.

My room is 5mx 6m rectangle and so I can’t have bigger speakers. So maybe the last bit of polish is from two more Powerlines for Xmas!

Sounds like a good idea to me....enjoy

Unbelievable! Not had a chance to listen for a couple of days and the depth of stage is way back beyond the wall - and my speakers are already 1m from the wall!! I’m gobsmacked how this illusion can be.

I may not be as poetic as others here describing the sound but with all limitations included (!) I’ve never heard sound better than this. Bottom line...

In ones own home, not in an alien dealer room, or even a recording studio, with the correct set up, one gets their dream sound!!

Well that's good news,  it makes your financial investment worthwhile......happy days as they say

There is run-in on all Naim new products I've found - at whatever hierarchy level. The first three weeks gets rid of the main bumps and the first two-three months gets into its stride and you are essentially enjoying what it gives. But I've also found at the nine month point there is a big opening-up and I think 'wow' - WOW!
Everything becomes easy, bigger scale, better bass-definition and clearer HF and more revealing mid-band. I got this on DR 552, DR 500 and S1 Pre, so something about the electrolytic caps running-in possibly on common circuit design architecture in the power supplies and local decouplers - but that is just a guess.

So there is more to come and that is a nice treat ahead.
The 552 is an excellent Pre that benefits from a good install on Fraim with space around it, good cable-dressing and some care in the 552PS positioning, in that order, from my experience.

Enjoy.

DB.

Excellent, thanks DB - so glad I’m on that journey while revelling in the present scenery! It’s so great now, there’s no urge to speed the motor up.

I feel very fortunate and spent the money well. Any audio enthusiast should hear the 552 DR as I get the impression every source deserves it. The longing for the next step up has vanished!!

In a similar position to yourself, in recently acquiring a used 552 DR of 2015 vintage; from the excellent and very helpful Alastair & Andy at Signals. I had read extensively around the 552 and its potential contribution to any system, but have to say that I am revelling in its capabilities and excited by the prospect of playing the next piece of music through the system. For me it simply batons you down to intentions of the artist, through its vice like grip of the tune. This provides so much satisfaction and takes any guilt pangs away to the investment - it is simply money well spent. Hope it continues to open up so positively for you.