552 obsession or stupidity

If the itch still wont go away then take your wife out for a really nice meal, when the bill arrives think to yourself, Im going to spend maybe 150 times on a box that really wont make the middle digit any longer...

Next open up your hosts file its in c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts with notepad & add this line...

127.0.0.1     forums.naimaudio.com

Save & re-boot to wave good bye to any further inclination/advice to spend what could get you in a heap of trouble with HRH

I think you've really got to decide in the first instance if you can afford/ would be prepared to spend the amount of money between the two pre-amps.

No need to listen to the 552 if the answer to the first question is negative.

If yes, then you should borrow a used / broken in example and hear it at home and compare with the 52.  You may be surprised and not notice a whole heck of a difference or, you may hear night and day difference.

Not all of us have super hearing or listen to music intensely.  More often than not I fall into this camp.  When I changed from 252 to 552 I heard an improvement but I wasn't left mouth agape at how things had changed.  It's still a stereo and the bands remain in the concert hall, not my listening room!

Peter

nigelb posted:

Can you all pleeaasee stop all this talk of how wonderful the wretched 552 is. You are all just feeding my upgraditis. I have a particularly virulent form of the disease that is incurable. I also have a marriage to hold onto.

So, please spare a thought.

In answer to the question, stupidity. Yes, almost definitely stupidity. Yes, I am sure that is right. Isn't it?

So often stupidity and obsession are one of the same 

northpole posted:

I think you've really got to decide in the first instance if you can afford/ would be prepared to spend the amount of money between the two pre-amps.

No need to listen to the 552 if the answer to the first question is negative.

If yes, then you should borrow a used / broken in example and hear it at home and compare with the 52.  You may be surprised and not notice a whole heck of a difference or, you may hear night and day difference.

Not all of us have super hearing or listen to music intensely.  More often than not I fall into this camp.  When I changed from 252 to 552 I heard an improvement but I wasn't left mouth agape at how things had changed.  It's still a stereo and the bands remain in the concert hall, not my listening room!

Peter

This seems sound advice to me. I haven't heard the 552, but a parallel might be when I bought the Dave DAC - there is no way I would have listened to it if there was no possibility of affording it at least in the reasonably forseeable future. And when I did hear it, to me the improvement was so significant that anything less would have left me with knowledge that what I had was lacking.  

But hand on heart, can I say that I get more enjoyment or pleasure listening to music through my present system, with new value approaching £30k, or my first system that cost me the equivalent of maybe 1/30th the amount (£60 in 1969, albeit with quite a bit of DIY), with its inherent rumble, wallowy bass and muffled treble? The answer is no: I think the enjoyment and pleasure playing music now is probably the same as then, though I hear more of the music now, with greater realism.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

nigelb posted:

Can you all pleeaasee stop all this talk of how wonderful the wretched 552 is. You are all just feeding my upgraditis. I have a particularly virulent form of the disease that is incurable. I also have a marriage to hold onto.

So, please spare a thought.

In answer to the question, stupidity. Yes, almost definitely stupidity. Yes, I am sure that is right. Isn't it?

So often stupidity and obsession are one of the same 

So true.

There is no financial argument that will ever stand up regarding the 552, I purchased mine sh and it is a pretty recent dr model. It is beautifully engineered - and is a delight sonically - it does a great job of shining a dirty great spotlight at the source - the big surprise to me was the sheer control and punch given to the bass. The other suprise is this preamp is really upfront - unlike the 252 .... its kind of like...well..... Naim taking the gloves off.... I view it as an investment against your music collection...is as much as everything has benefited.....it is a very personal choice. But no more extravagant that changing your car - which will devalue and cost you a fortune in fuel.....

Richieroo

I can't agree with you, simply because we all have differing financial ability both compared with others and for ourselves all through the journey of life.  To say there is no financial argument may pertain to your good self at this point in time, but it is frankly a ridiculous argument to apply to all others tuned in to the forum who may be starting their careers burdened with debt or in retirement with a none too clever pension.  I appreciate people's enthusiasm, and I'm sure my 552 benefitted from it's service and dr'ing, but it would be great to see some balance in these type of threads.

I'm not at all knocking the 552, just trying to steer a course avoiding the title of this thread.

Peter

sometimes when these questions arise, maybe the existing system isn't performing to 100 %, could need a service, could need a rebuild, something else, personally I love my 282/HCDR/250DR, and I enjoy it every day....

I remember there was a member AMA who owned 552/500 and 282/250, and said he might be able to live without his 552/500, but never without his 282/250....

I'd still buy a 552/500 when funds are available.

northpole posted:

Richieroo

I can't agree with you, simply because we all have differing financial ability both compared with others and for ourselves all through the journey of life.  To say there is no financial argument may pertain to your good self at this point in time, but it is frankly a ridiculous argument to apply to all others tuned in to the forum who may be starting their careers burdened with debt or in retirement with a none too clever pension.  I appreciate people's enthusiasm, and I'm sure my 552 benefitted from it's service and dr'ing, but it would be great to see some balance in these type of threads.

I'm not at all knocking the 552, just trying to steer a course avoiding the title of this thread.

Peter

I think he meant that there was no financial atgument FOR getting the 552, not against it. 

(Or was it I who misunderstood?)

Probably me!!  Apologies if that is the case.

Peter

I kept reading that 552 is massive improvement/upgrade over 52. I am wondering in what specific ways is the 552 better than a 52? Please share your thoughts and opinion! 

52 plays the tune ( very well ), the 552 brings you deep inside the tune... Much greater resolution and micro dynamics-that sums it up for my ears. They are both great pre's but the 552 is a game changer.

ATB,

Mark

northpole posted:

Richieroo

I can't agree with you, simply because we all have differing financial ability both compared with others and for ourselves all through the journey of life.  To say there is no financial argument may pertain to your good self at this point in time, but it is frankly a ridiculous argument to apply to all others tuned in to the forum who may be starting their careers burdened with debt or in retirement with a none too clever pension.  I appreciate people's enthusiasm, and I'm sure my 552 benefitted from it's service and dr'ing, but it would be great to see some balance in these type of threads.

I'm not at all knocking the 552, just trying to steer a course avoiding the title of this thread.

Peter

Peter - as someone who will in all likelihood never get to a 552 - I can't agree with you.  It's just the way it is.   

Regards,

Lindsay

Hi I meant there is no financial argument to justify purchasing ..... it is in my opinion too expensive.....all be it very very good....

NFG posted:

If the itch still wont go away then take your wife out for a really nice meal, when the bill arrives think to yourself, Im going to spend maybe 150 times on a box 

Cheapskate! I cannot see any special meal out costing so little. And listening to the 552 is a special night in!

Zoot

My two cents. You have a lovely Naim system already. I can see your considering a 552. And I've never read a bad comment or negative review. Two things argue for your taking the plunge 1) you appear to keep your equipment for a long time and therefore are not in a constant upgrade cycle and 2)  you seem to really like and are committed to the Naim sound. My only caution would be that you never ever over extend yourself financially on audio equipment. If you can easily afford the purchase new or used, go for it. Otherwise, the 52 is still superb.

Cheers

Richieroo posted:

Hi I meant there is no financial argument to justify purchasing ..... it is in my opinion too expensive.....all be it very very good....

Yes you're correct. I'd never tell any of my mates how much my preamp cost me. Even the one who easily loses what my 552 costs on the Porsche he really can't afford. It seems more acceptable in society to throw money at cars. 

Just wonderful, brilliant, it doesn't get better than this. A truly superb example.

But enough about me, this is to do with the excellence of the 552, and it is very good indeed. You're the only one who can decide if it's worth forking out for, but if you just want to hear one in your system out of curiosity, don't.

Don't listen to 552 owners.   What do you expect them to say ? Non 552 owners can't comment either. What t'do !!

Listen to a 552 in your system, if you like what you hear AND can easily afford it, buy it  Simple.

Richieroo posted:

Hi I meant there is no financial argument to justify purchasing ..... it is in my opinion too expensive.....all be it very very good....

Look at it this way. Neymar has just cost PSG 200 million sterling. 

The 552 is an absolute snip !!!!

Trust me its bloody good ........ it gives a full visceral Naim presentation - that is addictive,persuasive and brilliant read the old stereophile review .... but at a price ... buy second hand. Lasty you need to be barking mad like me....just don't go outside with underpants on your head and pencils in your nose....!!!

 Completely off topic but can't help agree that Neymar's potential transfer fee could mark the beginning of the end of silly money footie!!  Totally mad!!

still man logic though in terms of 552...!!

Peter

Wugged Woy posted:

Richieroo posted:

Hi I meant there is no financial argument to justify purchasing ..... it is in my opinion too expensive.....all be it very very good....

Look at it this way. Neymar has just cost PSG 200 million sterling. 

The 552 is an absolute snip !!!!

I think the extra cost of Neymar is because, unlike a new 552, he comes fully run-in.   

I was puzzling over PSG, now I know I it doesn't matter.

Pah - Neymar must have Statement at the very least.