NAC 552

Depends - how much is it and how much is DR upgrading?

As Mangomonkey said but what are you going to do about your 272 then?

It's never a bad idea to get a 552 - and when you get a good deal, grab it. However like already mentioned you have to also include the consequences in the calculation. Getting a new streaming source like a NDX to replace the 272. What will be the additional cost for DR and potential recapping. And are you prepared to make the additional investments in the other components to ensure the whole system can shine......

But in the base as mentioned, getting a 552 is always a considerable step in everybodies journey.

Bert Schurink posted:

It's never a bad idea to get a 552 - and when you get a good deal, grab it. However like already mentioned you have to also include the consequences in the calculation. Getting a new streaming source like a NDX to replace the 272. What will be the additional cost for DR and potential recapping. And are you prepared to make the additional investments in the other components to ensure the whole system can shine......

 

But in the base as mentioned, getting a 552 is always a considerable step in everybodies journey.

He's already got a 555ps. If he can find an NDS at a decent price too he'd have a great system (the same as mine).

greekspec2 posted:

I got an opportunity now and would anyone recommend purchasing a 2007 552 and wedge it into the DR gear I have or wait for a newer 552-DR to come along

As others have said, as with most Naim if the offer is good enough it's worth getting, you can pay Naim to upgrade to DR spec and if 2007 vintage then a service as well.

One observation, there are potential system synergy issues, the 552 tends to produce fair amount more HF energy that some significantly lesser NACs and it is possible the 552 will unbalance your system and make it sound too bright... so to be prepared to move speakers around etc. I have heard some disappointing 552 systems as well as some outstanding ones.

Lol! And be prepared to deal with perplexing setup issues - and - invest the right amount of resources  into setup to allow the system to shine...

I would only do it if you can get a bespoke stand that will let you get the interconnects and burndies off the floor. With the 552, setup is absolutely critical. 

I traded an older 552 for an ex-dem 552 DR.  The latter may sound a bit better.  Never had any setup issues -- maybe it has never been "on-song".  Sounds great, to me.  

Best of luck.

Nick

the problem is you rarely ever see 552 for sale stateside let alone a DR version, all of my gear is new and I'm not sure of a cap/DR later on and with no warranty

From my experience, the 552 is at a totally different level than your current pre-amp.

I would think the sonic benefits would highly outweigh any of your doubts once you heard the 552 in your system, very highly recommended. By the way pre-amps can sometimes go much longer than amps when they need to be serviced, sometimes as long as 15 years!

A non DR 552 is still something very special, I would definitely make the purchase.

I appreciate your guy's opinions since I can be hard headed some times but I'm young and will learn but atleast I'm on the right track at my age and by the time I get old I will have no need to upgrade 

if you're getting a 552, also look out for a NDS.

the NDS has been on my radar even if I have to use the N272 as a preamp, how I look at it the 252/Supercap/300/NDS is Naims reference line sort of say

I recently replaced a freshly serviced 252 and Supercap DR with a 552. Initially I was hugely disappointed but then it was an early model so I sent it back for a service (didn't DR due to costs). I have had it back for c6 weeks and it's been "up and down like a brides nightie" performance wise. Still not sure I have it optimal as whilst it sounds good not sure it is running like it should do - very frustrating..... rest of system is high spec LP12, NDS / 555 and dr Nap300 all on fraim with power lines - speakers are pmc fact 8.  My room is 6m square so not ideal so more playing around to do......

Gary

after seeing the price of a recap & DR upgrade,  for an extra $3600 I can buy a brand new one, so I'm gonna pass 

thats what I figured. :-)

greekspec2 posted:

the NDS has been on my radar even if I have to use the N272 as a preamp, how I look at it the 252/Supercap/300/NDS is Naims reference line sort of say

One thing occurred to me about this option: if you got a NDS and put the 555PS on it instead of the 272, the 272 preamp quality would drop, so you'd probably need the NDS and another power supply. I remember an early review of the 272 that said that with a 555PS the 272 is 90% of the quality of an NDS. It may have been 85% but it was certainly high, though these percentages are highly dubious. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

greekspec2 posted:

the NDS has been on my radar even if I have to use the N272 as a preamp, how I look at it the 252/Supercap/300/NDS is Naims reference line sort of say

One thing occurred to me about this option: if you got a NDS and put the 555PS on it instead of the 272, the 272 preamp quality would drop, so you'd probably need the NDS and another power supply. I remember an early review of the 272 that said that with a 555PS the 272 is 90% of the quality of an NDS. It may have been 85% but it was certainly high, though these percentages are highly dubious. 

I might of saw that review also....I know one fact that my Sopra 3's were voiced on the 300DR and Focal recommends the NAC 282/NDX/300DR

in my mind is there a possibility that if the speakers were indeed voiced with those exact pre-amp/source that it will have the best synergy/balance/sound with that exact setup up or go with one step up...and the shitty part is I have no way to demo

NAC 282/Supercap-DR/NDX/555PS-DR

NAC252/Supercap-DR/NDS/555PS-DR

and I would assume that either one would be an uplift over my current system

I've heard the NDX/282 and owned a 252 and 552 in the past. As you know, I now have a 272. I'd ignore what your speakers may or may not have allegedly been voiced with, and what Focal recommend. If it were me, and I had the cash, I'd either stick with the 272/555 or switch to NDS/552. The 282 and 252 options may be a bit better, but I suspect the differences wouldn't be significant enough for you. If you balk at the cost of the NDS/552, just stick with what you have. All the time you are thinking of upgrading it's impossible to enjoy what you have. 

The thing is you might not like the 252. The 272 with the 555ps might be preferable to you over the 252. You'd have to audition it. I wouldn't "upgrade" to 252 from 272 and 555dr.

The 552 on the other hand knowing what I know you could buy it without auditioning it, it's that good. 

things would be so much easier if they had better dealers to home demo gear here in the USA atleast I'm not kicking tires

We are very lucky here in the U.K. When I wanted a home demo of the 552 my dealer just made a phonecall to Naim and their own demo 552 arrived a few days later.

Hungryhalibut posted:

I've heard the NDX/282 and owned a 252 and 552 in the past. As you know, I now have a 272. I'd ignore what your speakers may or may not have allegedly been voiced with, and what Focal recommend. If it were me, and I had the cash, I'd either stick with the 272/555 or switch to NDS/552. The 282 and 252 options may be a bit better, but I suspect the differences wouldn't be significant enough for you. If you balk at the cost of the NDS/552, just stick with what you have. All the time you are thinking of upgrading it's impossible to enjoy what you have. 

who knows I might hear the NDS/NDX with either 282/252 and say bingo since I have a 555PS and SL full loom and I can finally stop bugging members on the forum for advice..

I think because the 552 is just a pre-amp is why I have a hard time purchasing but a NAP 500 purchase would be no problem, maybe it's psychological or something or over thinking it. 

Stick with 272/555 till 372 arrive! 

552/NDS must be very good but the price difference is so big!