552 reliability

Mine’s an old one and has been faultless. Serviced and DRd this year.

It can be a bit sensitive to static, but there latter would need to be really bad to scramble the logic - a power cycle is all that's needed. Otherwise, only other operational issues I've known from many, many 552s, is the odd time where a relay sticks, which usually means a channel goes down - but that applies to all the Naim pre-amps.  It can sometimes unstick itself, but best to have a sticky relay replaced. However, to put it into some perspective, the earlier Olive big box pre-amps probably had more issues from optocouplers that would go faulty. Generally, I reckon the current pre-amps (including the 552) are very reliable - likely even more so than the preceding Olive ones.

Thanks Richard .... that's interesting and reassuring. ..

My (bought brand new) 552 had a wobble at about 5½ years old. It sounded strained/raw/rough.

Head unit and PS went back for surgery and 122 new components (I have the job sheets) were fitted to the two boxes. I had to pay for the work.

That was April 2011. It's performed faultlessly since then.

John.

I replaced my 52 with a 552 which was then DR'd. Neither have given any trouble over a good few years service.

Douglas.

static zap took my 552 out last year which resulted in expensive repairs. prior to that, a dodgy hi-line killed its music. Could just be tail of reliability distribution. or whatever...

it is very re-assuring though that there is a very clearly defined process for getting things sorted out when anything goes wrong with Naim equipment.

enjoy/ken

The only issue I’ve had has been the remote response. Occationally it gets confused if  I send commands in quick succession and will get stuck on one command for say 30 seconds before responding to the remote again, if the command it sticks on is increase volume it can be quite alarming.

No complaints here what so ever over the last 12 years. I had it back for service and DR upgrade about 2 yeasts ago. A truly fantastic preamp. One of naims best products IMHO. 

Thanks all great responses quite reassuring so far....cheers

No problems for me either; other than a replacement rogue Burndy, it’s worked faultlessly since I got it. 

I've had my 552 for almost 2.5 years now during which time it's been completely faultless.

I have only had my  552 for 9 months... and I can’t say I have had one single issue or problem with it in that time, no matter how minor. It just works and to me sounds one of the best things Naim make.. absolutely first class and 110% for the enthusiast... it makes just about any source sound good.. it’s the least unfussy NAC I am aware of, and it’s automation works flawlessly too.

Generally all good in 2 years of ownership. However, I have noticed that my 552 gives a pop through the speakers when it unmutes itself shortly after powering up. I’ve not done anything about it, but I’m assuming it shouldn’t do it. It only does it after the power up unmuting, not if I mute and unmute manually. Anyone got any thoughts?

A gentle pop when first un-muting after powering back up is nothing to worry about Kevin. 

PS - Hope you are settling in ok into your new abode. Looks like you've got your priorities right 

You say that... I get no such pop when my 552 un mutes in its power up cycle... but mine is a new model..perhaps this occurs with older 552 models ??? My NAP250 makes a small click when powering up.. and when powering off, after a short delay where the reservoir caps are discharging there is a soft pop.. and the left and right channel pops occur within around  .5 a second of each other.

2.5 yrs in and no issues

The issues some of you have experienced are quite normal I would imagine although have to cough up for a major repair after only 5 years is a bit strong. 

My 552 is 8 yr. it has a glitch on switching input . Using remote control, when I press changing volume quickly in multiple clicks in a row. 552 input sometimes switched to Aux2. It happens via Naim app/NDS as well.  It is reproducible but not every times. It would say 20% at the time. 

It has been like that since I got the unit, 8 year ago, not sure if it has any sound quality problems? Hopefully not.

anyone has this problem? 

J

Thank you all for reporting back so far .... things seem fairly reassuring.... keep the comments coming. Does anybody know how many have been produced....???

I've had mine for about a year without problems (touches wood). However, I did have a surprise this week when I noticed the volume LED was flashing and I pressed all sorts of buttons on the NARCOM remote (and the R-COM) to get it to stop, which it did. I then tried to select the vinyl input (input 8 on button 6), but it didn't work. I realised I'd plugged it into input 9 which wasn't assigned. I then had to look in the user instructions to find out how to reassign the input. It was then that I realised why the LED had been flashing - I must have pressed the Programme button on the NARCOM by mistake. Doh!

Simon mentioned the "small click" when powering up his NAP250. Well my NAP500 sounded like a small explosion when that was switched on. It's currently in Salisbury to have the DR upgrade made. Almost more than the performance upgrade, I'm hoping for a much more gentle power on!

Clive B posted:

Simon mentioned the "small click" when powering up his NAP250. Well my NAP500 sounded like a small explosion when that was switched on. It's currently in Salisbury to have the DR upgrade made. Almost more than the performance upgrade, I'm hoping for a much more gentle power on!

Your wish will be granted Clive. A much quieter switch off process too.

The lights on the record buttons stopped working on my 10+ year old 552 a few years ago and it had to go back to Salisbury for a new front panel board. Apart from that no issues at all.

Minor issue with mine when a relay on the “record” switching stuck. Easily replaced. 

J The Kop posted:

My 552 is 8 yr. it has a glitch on switching input . Using remote control, when I press changing volume quickly in multiple clicks in a row. 552 input sometimes switched to Aux2. It happens via Naim app/NDS as well.  It is reproducible but not every times. It would say 20% at the time. 

It has been like that since I got the unit, 8 year ago, not sure if it has any sound quality problems? Hopefully not.

anyone has this problem? 

J

552 for 13 y now. Same issue here. But I thing its because of the long distance (~8m) between pre and rc. Might be possible that the signal from rc is to low. But using Nacom (guess thats the name of the plastic rc) rc and not that big thing.