"VFM" ? - NAC 52 vs 252 ?

One thing to bear in mind is the incresed resale value the 252 will have over the 52 in a few years time - not that you will be wanting to sell it in a rush.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by uem:
Hi all,

My apologies for this question, I know it was discussed before, but the "NAIM forum search" only gave “too many threads…” as a feedback:
I’ve got the option on offer for a rather newish NAC 52 vs the Demo-model of an NAC-252 from two different dealers. The difference in price between the two is around Euro 1350-1400, which I’d have to pay more for the 252.
(I admit, that from a purely "cosmetic point of view" a do prefer the old 52-style - I have a recently bought CDS 2 - and it’s “look-a-like” to the existing 82…!!)
But sonically & performance -wise? Is the 252 a big step up ?
Does it offer additional features, such as user-configurable / adjustable input levels ?

Thanks for any thoughts [QUOTE]

If the rest of your components are the olive style AND you do not plan to upgrade them to the new style then go for the 52. I believe that going from the olive version to to the new version for the same model rank (52 to 252, 82 to 282, 102 to 202) the improvement is there BUT marginal and the price gap is huge.

"I believe that going from the olive version to to the new version for the same model rank (52 to 252, 82 to 282, 102 to 202) the improvement is there BUT marginal and the price gap is huge."

I cannot comment on the 252 vs 52 as I have not had them demmed side by side. I have heard a 202 Vs 102 and IMO the 202 was in a totally different league to the 102. The improvement was far from marginal.

I upgraded from a 52 to a 252. If you can get a 252 for just another 1400 Euros I would do it. The 252 is a quite better than the 52, but you have to like the way the 252 sounds vs the 52. Not everyone's cuppa.

Arthur Bye

quote:

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Originally posted by Tuan:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by uem:
Hi all,

My apologies for this question, I know it was discussed before, but the "NAIM forum search" only gave “too many threads…” as a feedback:
I’ve got the option on offer for a rather newish NAC 52 vs the Demo-model of an NAC-252 from two different dealers. The difference in price between the two is around Euro 1350-1400, which I’d have to pay more for the 252.
(I admit, that from a purely "cosmetic point of view" a do prefer the old 52-style - I have a recently bought CDS 2 - and it’s “look-a-like” to the existing 82…!!)
But sonically & performance -wise? Is the 252 a big step up ?
Does it offer additional features, such as user-configurable / adjustable input levels ?

Thanks for any thoughts [QUOTE]

If the rest of your components are the olive style AND you do not plan to upgrade them to the new style then go for the 52. I believe that going from the olive version to to the new version for the same model rank (52 to 252, 82 to 282, 102 to 202) the improvement is there BUT marginal and the price gap is huge.

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TUAN you are now making me laugh, ha,ha,ha you are funny

quote:

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Originally posted by Arthur Bye:
I upgraded from a 52 to a 252. If you can get a 252 for just another 1400 Euros I would do it. The 252 is a quite better than the 52, but you have to like the way the 252 sounds vs the 52. Not everyone's cuppa.

Arthur Bye

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Arthur - what are the differences, I'm interested in the 252.

Urs

I have done the 52 -> 252 Upgrade. To me it was not marginal at all! It was like a step up do a bigger model like 82, 52, 252. The same goes for the 250 - complete different animal. The olive step from 180 to 250 was much smaller than from 250 to 250 black. The olive and black series have both their own sonic signature. To me the black ones keep all olive goodies but add some new welcome things to a exeptional mix. I like the sound and the looks of the new line more, so it was a easy decision to me...

About the features: adjustable input levels are only available at the boxes which use the resistor ladder volume control (instead of potis). That means only NAIT5 and AV2, AFAIK. But you get a unity gain output, which comes handy in homecinema installations (also a cable input for RC5 signals and optional RS232). Also you can configure 2 inputs to use RCA (Phono/Cinch) inputs instead of DIN. The volume and balance control over remote comes with 2 gears (slow+fast), and you can switch the lights of the frontplate off (all besides the logo). Hope this helps...

happy listening

Adrian

quote:

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Originally posted by hi fi fo fum:

quote:

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Originally posted by Tuan:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by uem:
Hi all,

My apologies for this question, I know it was discussed before, but the "NAIM forum search" only gave “too many threads…” as a feedback:
I’ve got the option on offer for a rather newish NAC 52 vs the Demo-model of an NAC-252 from two different dealers. The difference in price between the two is around Euro 1350-1400, which I’d have to pay more for the 252.
(I admit, that from a purely "cosmetic point of view" a do prefer the old 52-style - I have a recently bought CDS 2 - and it’s “look-a-like” to the existing 82…!!)
But sonically & performance -wise? Is the 252 a big step up ?
Does it offer additional features, such as user-configurable / adjustable input levels ?

Thanks for any thoughts [QUOTE]

If the rest of your components are the olive style AND you do not plan to upgrade them to the new style then go for the 52. I believe that going from the olive version to to the new version for the same model rank (52 to 252, 82 to 282, 102 to 202) the improvement is there BUT marginal and the price gap is huge.

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TUAN you are now making me laugh, ha,ha,ha you are funny

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Steve I need a demo (smile).

MaxPower give me a call.... you are ready ...soon you will feel the power too....552 or 252 sir, it is only money and you can't take it with you !
Steve

Dev B wrote:

quote:

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Arthur - what are the differences, I'm interested in the 252.

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The 252 basically retains all of the virtues of the 52 but removes a layer of grain. The resolution also seems to be greater as well. The sound is a bit more "Round" than the bog standard 52 but in a nice way. Kind of the way an Aro gives you Round Earth attributes while still retaining all the PRaT at the same time. Definitely a smoother presentation.

The step up is immediately noticable to anyone who has a 52. I can also see how some may not like the change. If you are accustomed to the Naim sound it can be a sideways move to some. Less of the "attack, attack, attack" theme on most Naim kit.

So far I like it quite well.

Arthur Bye

PR wrote:

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But did you compare the 52 without powering the K/S phono boards, and did you try comparing the 52 using 252 power leads? The character of the 252 is clearly different, but I wonder whether the resolution is equal once matching the 252 topology. Certainly my 82 improved once the k-boards were removed for straight-through phono stage boards.

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Neither my 252 or 52 had any phono card installed. I use a Prefix with an LP12. I have not tried swapping the power cords either. They appear to be identical so there should not be much of a change. I'm pretty sure the 52/252 have dedicated power rails for the internal cards anyhow. There should be no difference.

I've done the power cord thing in the past and found the differences to be so small that I could not be sure it wasn't something else. The stock ones work fine for me.

Arthur Bye

Arthur, Nick, & everyone else, Thanks for the feedback!

Thanks guys for all your advice !

The 252 is on order and should be delivered within 2 weeks.

Regards

Urs