552 obsession or stupidity

zoot posted:

After 22 years my 52/Chris West works perfectly why am I obsessed with the addition of the 552/552ps What I've got for power are tri- amped 250s nbl's , LP12 ,cd2,nd.....what I'd like to know is .....will it blow me away ?

Linn lp12 arkIva,troika ,Valhalla, cd2,nds

Just my 52 cents worth, but swapping out a 52 for 552 will most probably come with the usual caveats of domino syndrome component upgradious starting with the front end LP12 begging upgrades for the new improved 552 'sound' to exploit, the power amps will beg upgrading to black box classic 300 or 500 and to be placed on proper job Naim Fraim, add in the costly temptation of DR'ing, and the wonderful dynamic lure of Chord cables [expensive but incredibly nice] and you have the recipe for lots of further oncoming expenditure - which is fine if one is prepared for this and can affording it without selling a kidney : )

However there is an alternative and more affordable plan; not picked up in this topic at yet but Zoot doesn't have a ordinary 52, he has a Chris West 52 which all going well with a recent enough service history [to include the 52PS] should be head shoulders boot and braces above the normal capabilities of an average good order 52.

Okay perhaps it won't shine as well musically as a 552 but given a modest budget restraint if it were my system i'd be very temped to stick with the olive amps with the Chris West 52 as the hub, and spend out on LP12 upgrades, or better still a complete new higher spec LP12 with Ekos SE Radikal/Urika & Keel on board.

I also second TonyM's questioning of the tri-amp arrangement? ...which may need sorting with a  SNAXO & Supercap.

Debs

Zoot, Why the rush? You've only just got the NBLs to 5" from the wall   ;-)

C.

"Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast. Its number is five hundred and fifty  two."

It really is simple. Do you have the funding to buy the 552 now or in the near future without adversely affecting your life or other plans that are more important to you? If not then forget it. If yes, is there a dealer who can loan you one to try in your system (or at the very least facilitate demo with your system components)?  If yes then do that. Your only choice then is whether the difference it makes seems justified and would give you more pleasure than the other things you might spend the money on. As the latter consideration might include other upgrades, consider seeking to audition them at the same time if possible, so the choice becomes a simple comparison.

of course, if auditioning is not an option you'll just have to weigh up all that everyone had suggested and decide on the balance of probabilities.

Simples

The 552... there's no blowing, but rather there is sucking...  it's that sharp intake of breath when you first install a 552 into your own system and realise what you've been missing.

Forget holidays, they only last a couple of weeks,  forget cars, you can't sit outside in them all evening going nowhere.  Cash in all your savings, remortgage your home, sell the wife if necessary... and invest in a 552...  that's what I did  (unfortunately the wife got returned to me a few days later).

As Richieroo said... simples !

Thanks for all the comments it's helpful. Must admit the posts have inspired me and led to a call to local dealer , some immediate suggestions as follows, upgrade to floor isolaters, add some SL cables,upgrade power for snaxo, upgrade ps for cd2? Otherwise continuing enjoying system as-is? As a musician one quickly learns/understands listening is everything...one life live it

Zoot, maybe you should ask the other Zoot ? .........................

Some do say the 552 is the 'Holy Grail' of Pre-Amps, after all. 

rjstaines posted:

The 552... there's no blowing, but rather there is sucking...  it's that sharp intake of breath when you first install a 552 into your own system and realise what you've been missing.

Forget holidays, they only last a couple of weeks,  forget cars, you can't sit outside in them all evening going nowhere.  Cash in all your savings, remortgage your home, sell the wife if necessary... and invest in a 552...  that's what I did  (unfortunately the wife got returned to me a few days later).

As Richieroo said... simples !

 

Have to say, I have to agree with this - (minus selling the wife part). 

Cars, holidays, eating in restaurants, all this is not required in life, once a 552 is installed in one's system.

It is necessary to have lots of  "alone" time though to enjoy playing one music collection all over again.... 

Every time I go away I miss my 552. I wish I could take it with me but that would be a bit silly. 

I have a lovely wife but she can't sing to me like my 552 does. 

I disagree: holidays are a vital part of life, bringing experiences and memories that enrich us. If I had to choose between music and holidays music would win. But if I had to choose between better gear and holidays when I already have something pretty reasonable, holidays would win. And as my wife prefers holidays to music, she would win, and if she wins I win. A true win-win situation!

Wugged Woy posted:

Zoot, maybe you should ask the other Zoot ? .........................

Some do say the 552 is the 'Holy Grail' of Pre-Amps, after all. 

Ah, Carol Cleveland. Sigh!

analogmusic posted:

rjstaines posted:

The 552... there's no blowing, but rather there is sucking...  it's that sharp intake of breath when you first install a 552 into your own system and realise what you've been missing.

Forget holidays, they only last a couple of weeks,  forget cars, you can't sit outside in them all evening going nowhere.  Cash in all your savings, remortgage your home, sell the wife if necessary... and invest in a 552...  that's what I did  (unfortunately the wife got returned to me a few days later).

As Richieroo said... simples !

 

Have to say, I have to agree with this - (minus selling the wife part). 

Cars, holidays, eating in restaurants, all this is not required in life, once a 552 is installed in one's system.

It is necessary to have lots of  "alone" time though to enjoy playing one music collection all over again.... 

Complete bollocks. Holidays and meals out enrich one's life extraordinarily. Who wants to sit by themselves listening to music all the time? I'm always saying this, but a 552 won't change one's life. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

analogmusic posted:

rjstaines posted:

The 552... there's no blowing, but rather there is sucking...  it's that sharp intake of breath when you first install a 552 into your own system and realise what you've been missing.

Forget holidays, they only last a couple of weeks,  forget cars, you can't sit outside in them all evening going nowhere.  Cash in all your savings, remortgage your home, sell the wife if necessary... and invest in a 552...  that's what I did  (unfortunately the wife got returned to me a few days later).

As Richieroo said... simples !

 

Have to say, I have to agree with this - (minus selling the wife part). 

Cars, holidays, eating in restaurants, all this is not required in life, once a 552 is installed in one's system.

It is necessary to have lots of  "alone" time though to enjoy playing one music collection all over again.... 

Complete bollocks. Holidays and meals out enrich one's life extraordinarily. Who wants to sit by themselves listening to music all the time? I'm always saying this, but a 552 won't change one's life. 

Completely agree, HH. I love my music more than most, but there is so much more to life. Friendship and social events are vital for a happy life. Also, the opportunity of travelling to foreign countries,  investigating new cultures and experiences is amazing and truly life changing. Moving from a 52 to a 252 to a 552 is not.

P.S. I dearly love, with deep passion, my little NAC72..........  But my next India expedition (the 4th) is important too 

'Irony failing to land' alert.

Richard Dane - when is this going to be fixed?

John.

RJS's irony was clear, whereas Analog's was less so. Perhaps I missed it. 

I assumed that 'Analog' was playing along Nigel. We can get awfully serious at times - myself included.

John.

Hungryhalibut posted:

RJS's irony was clear, whereas Analog's was less so. Perhaps I missed it. 

Me too !

erm - in times of starvation and when funds are limited, one can really enjoy a 282 / 250 system, as I do everyday.

I'm not at all motivated to change anything in my system, HungryHalibut as it sounds perfect to me.

Hope this clarifies.... It's all about the money.........and the source 

So we don't have to get a 552 to be happy then?

Confused of Chesham. 

(For those of you who are unsure, I am trying to be humorous).

I really struggle to see the point of your original question and the ensuing discussion. If you really do need the persuasion and support of total strangers to help you justify any purchase, then don't do it!! If the 552 is worth £20k to you, and you have the cash, and you're happy to sacrifice what you could have bought in its place, then buy it. If you can't, and haven't, then don't. It really is as simple as that. Only you can ever truly know whether or not the incremental gain is worth the outlay.

If I were to have asked the forum's opinions and advice on my recent acquisitions I would have undoubtedly received some endorsements, but many more telling me not to invest in a mullet and spend more on source, etc. etc. etc. I knew what I liked, what sounded good to me, and bought it. Thus far I have no regrets. As someone else said earlier - simples!

Each to his or her own. 

Social media eh? It gives us the ability to commune with lots of other folk and seek their advice and approbation in our life choices.

A good thing? Discuss. Preferably not on social media. Are we happier? Will we ever know what's going on with Donald Trump's hair and other burning issues of the age?

I've said before that most questions here can be answered with - 'Find a good dealer; take advice; listen, and you like it and can afford it; buy it.

John.

Hungryhalibut posted:

analogmusic posted:

rjstaines posted:

The 552... there's no blowing, but rather there is sucking...  it's that sharp intake of breath when you first install a 552 into your own system and realise what you've been missing.

Forget holidays, they only last a couple of weeks,  forget cars, you can't sit outside in them all evening going nowhere.  Cash in all your savings, remortgage your home, sell the wife if necessary... and invest in a 552...  that's what I did  (unfortunately the wife got returned to me a few days later).

As Richieroo said... simples !

 

Have to say, I have to agree with this - (minus selling the wife part). 

Cars, holidays, eating in restaurants, all this is not required in life, once a 552 is installed in one's system.

It is necessary to have lots of  "alone" time though to enjoy playing one music collection all over again.... 

Complete bollocks. Holidays and meals out enrich one's life extraordinarily. Who wants to sit by themselves listening to music all the time? I'm always saying this, but a 552 won't change one's life. 

It's most unlike you to sit on the fence with your opinions HH 

 

Complete bollocks. Holidays and meals out enrich one's life extraordinarily. Who wants to sit by themselves listening to music all the time? I'm always saying this, but a 552 won't change one's life. 

Been there done that. (all kinds of Holidays and all kinds of meals). In fact I am on holiday now, ending in 2 days and what's the first thing I will do, go home and play some records on my Naim system !

Who wants to sit by themselves listening to music all the time? I can't think of anything more fun to do in my case.

I've always loved the thrill of a live musical performance, and I get this thrill with Naim amplifiers.

as I said the only reason to be content with a 282 instead of 552 is lack of money.

Technically, what 552 offers is a lower noise floor, where more micro-details (low level ones where cues of emotion are present) - more resolution is apparent in a side by side comparison with 282. Much superior resolution of bass notes too, everything is just better on a 552. Bigger soundstage also, huge 3d and holographic.

This lets more music through simples.....