NAC 252

I love my 252 which was preceded by a 282 in my system. I never understood the 'boring' label often used to deccribe the 252. Certainly less exuberant than the 282 but the 252 is more subtle and revealing in comparison. When asked to do so, the 252 will kick a*s but more an 'iron fist in a velvet glove' presentation. It will whack you around the head but in a caring way! 

I indeed have a 252/ SupercapDR/NDS front end and I would urge you to take a listen.

My two penneth.

Cue the the 282 brigade (of which I was one).

Malaka is an interesting Forum name. It means wanker in Greek. A friend of mine had a cat named Malaka and took endless pleasure in hollering it out of the back door. 

I've owned a (boring) 252 and there's no way I'd swap a 272 for one. 552 or don't bother would be my, undoubtedly unwanted, advice. 

I agree, a super pre amp. Just had mine serviced and it is as good as new!

Stu

I don't like it but that's not to say you'll agree with me. Don't buy without at least a week's home demo and don't try and like if you don't.

Not this one again. Both are great amps but sound quite different. System synergy and listening preferences determine which you'll like best. Had both. 

I ran a 252 for a while and thought it was a big improvement over 282.

As ever the best option is to get a demo at home and let your ears and wallet decide.

There are plenty of very happy 252 owners, myself included. As above, have a listen. Live with it for a while and if you are convinced join us. If not ...

I agree with James, so rather than express a personal preference (again) over this one, I would recommend auditioning a 282/supercap, a 252/supercap and a 52/supercap (if you are able to), then buy the one that you like the most.  All 3 have distinct personalities and once you hear them, you will know which one is for you.

Best regards, FT

I love my 252. I upgraded from a 282/supercap. IMHO the 252 is more revealing. The timbre of instruments and texture of music is much more apparent. It is easier to follow different lines and fine detail, and complicated pieces sound less 'congested'. It also rocks when required and I have never thought it boring in comparison to the 282. 

Incidentally, I demoed the 272 when I bought the 282. For me the 272 was lighter and smoother, with nice detail but didn't have the depth of the separate pre amp with an NDX. 

Look forward to hearing your impressions if you demo a 252 against the 272/555!

This will depend what source is used.  252 really deserves a NDS or at least NDX/XPS. It's an excellent pre-amp.

Regards,

Lindsay

Drewy posted:

I don't like it but that's not to say you'll agree with me. Don't buy without at least a week's home demo and don't try and like if you don't.

Very much agree with Drewy's advice. I tried the 252 at home for a long demo on two occasions, and I really wanted to like the 252. Both times I decided to keep my 282.  For me the 252 did much that was good but I found on rock music it seemed to suck the life out of the performance. AC/DC just seemed to be going through the motions when played on the 252 but when the 282 was re-installed the band seemed to be enjoying themselves again.  So, as Dewy says, a week's demo in your own system at home is really important.   

I do not have experience with the NAC 252 but am beginning to feel that the 252 may be a detailed version of the 202 after reading all responses here. I can somehow relate to MDS' experience - the macrodynamics of the NAC 282 is quite spectacular (made the 202 sound dull or flat in comparison). The 282 is a punchy and dynamic sounding unit. The transient attack between passages is accentuated by the 282 when compared to the 202. Going from the 282 to the 202 there is a reduction in sparkle, life and dynamics in the music. 

282/Hicap DR has lived up to my expectations. Great little system. I am reluctant to try the Supercap DR as that will surely open up the possibilities to the NAC 252.

Very happy 252 owner here (with SCDR) - it's detailed, smooth when it needs to be but can rock too.

I had a 282 but was happy to move on (never a particular fan of its - to my ears - over-exuberant bass, nor its volume pot which provided a very limited comfortable listening range somewhere beteeen 7 and 7.30 on the dial. And I had a personal aesthetic dislike of the NAPSC). A good stepping stone but glad I moved on.

Interesting, isn't it, 282 vs 252 seems to be the most divisive, long-running and continuing debate in the whole Naim spectrum.

Yes, and as soon as everyone accepts that the 252 is the better pre amp, then the debate can finally cease! 

ryder. posted:

 The transient attack between passages is accentuated

I'm probably misunderstanding here, but shouldn't we be hoping for inky blackness between passages??

It's a great pre-amp. Works well, responds well to good sources and SuperLumina upgrades. 

Love it and it's staying

ChrisSU posted:

ryder. posted:

 The transient attack between passages is accentuated

I'm probably misunderstanding here, but shouldn't we be hoping for inky blackness between passages??

Yes, I shall listen out for the inky blackness.

BTW what does it sound like?

BORING, BORING, BORING!!!

A pipe & slipper amp for the retired.

If you still got some life and energy left in you, it's 282/SC all day long!!! 

nigelb posted:

I love my 252 which was preceded by a 282 in my system. I never understood the 'boring' label often used to deccribe the 252. Certainly less exuberant than the 282 but the 252 is more subtle and revealing in comparison. When asked to do so, the 252 will kick a*s but more an 'iron fist in a velvet glove' presentation. It will whack you around the head but in a caring way! 

I indeed have a 252/ SupercapDR/NDS front end and I would urge you to take a listen.

My two penneth.

Cue the the 282 brigade (of which I was one).

I fully support this view. I have also lived with a 252 for some time and was totally content with it, while it can't get close to the 552.... I don't understand why quite a number of people dislike it or describe it as dull. But I guess they haven't spent enough time with it to really appreciate the qualities, and especially while this pre-amp has an immense break in time needed...., people might not really appreciate why it is so good.

As compared to the 282. Yes I liked it also a lot and appreciated the drive, in the face type of character, but it does miss the refinement which the 252 has in spades.... 

So there you have it.  Clearly articulated views expressed by the pro-252 camp and the pro-282 camp.

The only way to find out what works for you is to try them.  Then you will know.  The rest is just conjecture.

Happy auditioning! Do let us know how you get on.

Best regards, FT

nigelb posted:

ChrisSU posted:

ryder. posted:

 The transient attack between passages is accentuated

I'm probably misunderstanding here, but shouldn't we be hoping for inky blackness between passages??

Yes, I shall listen out for the inky blackness.

BTW what does it sound like?

I don't know, I keep listening out for it too, but I think I might be going deaf!

I recently upgraded from a 282 with sc to a 252. Both fronted by ndx.

To say the 252 is boring is not a term I would ever use. In my opinion music is markedly clearer much more enjoyable and interactive drawing me further into well known tracks. Being able to hear things never heard.

My opinion is this the 282 and the 252 are both great pre amps with a differente in presentation and quality.

Whether the quality increase is worth the additional outlay only you and your ears can decide. 

I have the 282, which in my opinion sounds superb. 

I have listened to the 252 and in my opinion it sounds superb.

I hope this helps... 

james n posted:

Not this one again. 

totemphile posted:

james n posted:

Not this one again. 

 

+277 LOL!!!!