52 Replacement

When we look at the poweramps, the 500 did not replace the 135's - so maybe a new preamp will not replace the 52, but be the new top-model with matching 500 style case, sound, price,...

In the new 5-series we find a few new features like volume control done with resistor ladder, inputs with variable gain, ect. wich are very nice and quite likely to show up in the bigger models in future I suppose.

Tom, could you join my "crossroads" thread and tell me something about your new 52 upgrade? Thanks!
Any 135 upgraders out there?

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happy listening

Adrian

Spooky coincidence, I've just written something about this in the 'Standing at the crossroads' thread.

Allan

Adrian--

You might well be right--it might make more sense if the new preamp was above the 52 and styled to match the 500. I seem to remember Julian on the old forum mention something about how there were unused elements in the 52 that could be pulled to make it sound better. Combined with some of the technology developed for the CDS2 (I'm thinking transistor rooms here) and the 500 (new transistors) I would think these elements, if they can be combined, would allow Naim to build a "super 52" that would surpass it in performance.

As to how many they would sell--the 500 appears to be figuratively flying out the door even at US $20,000, so I would think the market exists. Also remember the 52 came out in 1990, and while the PS has changed to the Supercap it is essentially unchanged (not counting the ongoing small improvements). So I would think that the timing is about right, the technology appears to have improved, and the market appears to exist.

Of course, I could be totally off base--although Naim has a colored history of denying products in development only to launch them shortly afterward.

OK, Paul--when should we see it ?

Cheers,

Bob @ Qwest

Your presuming that the 52 is a weak link in the system. This may not be the case. How's about a CDS - 500? If Linn can do the CD-12 why not Naim?

All--

The silence on this is deafening--especially from the good folks at Salisbury. My dealer agrees that a new preamp is coming, styled to match the 500 with performance to match. Unfortunately no one official will say anything--perhaps in Vegas ?

Cheers and Merry Christmas !

Bob