Sell the 552? Oppurtunity cost? The anti-zoot thread

Hungryhalibut posted:

f you've ever been lying on the road after being hit by a car, seeing the white light and thinking that you don't want to die, you soon realise that hifi is not a necessity, or anything near. You soon find out what's important, and it sure as hell isn't expensive black boxes. 

Good grief no - it's just a nice to have compared to Manchester United 

Played even humbly, the old instrument meets the player with grace and spirit.  The essence of music.

It is why we are here.

Nick

Well, there are many views, and personal they are!

I tend to gravitate towards an view of an particular Audio Reviewer:

There are two types of components worthy of owning. The Best, and very close to the Best, for a lot less!

Within the Real of Naim, it goes without saying the Statement Conforms to the Former!

However, one may correlate the 552  to the Latter.

Whilst some may go as far as the 272, as you can see, it really is personal!

But if one's net worth is over 3 Million, and love Music, it's a No-Brainer!

Just my thoughts!

Allante93!

PS. As it pertains to the Forum!

We spend thousands of dollars, for subtle upgrades, that aren't detectable by the Norm!

But Remember, we aren't the Norm! LOL.....

Innocent Bystander posted:

That is most wonderful to have in your house - a musical instrument that is played  (hopefully well!) for your enjoyment.  And it creates a context for consideration of expensive hifi - both in terms of cost relative to musical instruments, and a direct comparison of sound.

Interesting diversion from the OP. I select hi-fi gear for how it replays my music collection without deference to what I assume instruments ought to sound like. Too many variables in the studio, recording chain, mastering, replay system and listening room for me to be concerned with authenticity. I focus on musicality. Then again, I don't know what a Steinway sounds like in my home or why it should sound the same coming from my speakers.

Hi, Randy.

The funny thing is, the piano sounds obnoxious and over the top, in my house.  (Play it softer, child.) Then, you accept it as the genuine article!  Who knew --  placement of the piano takes precedence over the HiFi?

Lovely chaos; expectations upended.

Nick

NickSeattle posted:

Hi, Randy.

The funny thing is, the piano sounds obnoxious and over the top, until you accept it as the genuine article!  Who knew --  placement of the piano takes precedence over the HiFi?

Lovely chaos; expectations upended.

Nick

 

Personally, the first time a set my eyes on a Marantz receiver, I was hooked. Something about those pretty blue lights, also the first time I set my eyes on a Corvette convertible, I was hooked. Human beings, that's what we do! Eat, Drink, and do what we think, will make us happy!

Allante93!

PS. But at the end of the day!

Cdx2>282>HCDR>(3 x 250.2)>Fraimlite>Briks

Ain't Bad!

...tis likely worth £10k s/h... I have just reduced your problem by 50%! You are welcome.

I've come to peace with it / holding on to it. 

But for how long?

NickSeattle posted:

If your kids have the gift, a decent pre-loved Steinway might be a better investment, if you have to choose.  If you can have both, they may well complement each other.

I have been so-blessed.  I am an "old" dad-of-one.  I get Bach on the piano and Taylor Swift on the 555 -- Happy am I.

Nick

I have been fortunate enough to have a Steinway grand since I was 11. Made in 1928 in New York, which makes it a real rarity in Europe. 

The question to be asked is "does the 552 represent the best Naim can do at 20k, given it is now 15 years old" even taking into account the DR upgrade?

Jon, I suspect it is the best Naim can do a that price point given the sunk investment and I'd be surprised if it hasn't paid for itself as well as contributed to the funding of development costs for several subsequent products by now . I suspect if in developing the Statement there was something they could have done to upgrade the 552 without requiring an extensive redesign it would have been considered.. 

I suppose what might be an other silly hypothetical question, if Naim had no 552 and they were starting now to develop it  how would it differ. and I am not just talking SQ.. perhaps it would be more like the new Uniti series??? And use some of its new decoupling and shielding technology... it might just be if Naim were starting the 552 now it wouldn't need to cost 20k??

Mango whenever you start one of these threads I always draw the same conclusion - that there is no conclusion.  

badlands posted:

My take on why MM is never really happy is that he makes a purchase based on what everybody's else opinion is on the equipment, and not necessarily his own, remember, you have to please yourself before you can please anybody else.

In the absence of, confidence in, one's own opinion this may be a working solution.

The BIG downside of such an abrogation of choice is that the likely/inevitable disappointment is then blamed on other people, marketing, deception and anything but acknowledging a wrong decision.  This is always edifying.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Jon, I suspect it is the best Naim can do a that price point given the sunk investment and I'd be surprised if it hasn't paid for itself as well as contributed to the funding of development costs for several subsequent products by now . I suspect if in developing the Statement there was something they could have done to upgrade the 552 without requiring an extensive redesign it would have been considered.. 

I suppose what might be an other silly hypothetical question, if Naim had no 552 and they were starting now to develop it  how would it differ. and I am not just talking SQ.. perhaps it would be more like the new Uniti series??? And use some of its new decoupling and shielding technology... it might just be if Naim were starting the 552 now it wouldn't need to cost 20k??

all interesting hypotheticals, of course. But given the excellent service opportunities from Salisbury (and other authorised places), the real world price of 552 is now 10k ish for a 2nd hand one. I cant imagine anyone buying one new these days, given where it is on its likely lifespan curve. 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Jon, I suspect it is the best Naim can do a that price point given the sunk investment and I'd be surprised if it hasn't paid for itself as well as contributed to the funding of development costs for several subsequent products by now . I suspect if in developing the Statement there was something they could have done to upgrade the 552 without requiring an extensive redesign it would have been considered.. 

I suppose what might be an other silly hypothetical question, if Naim had no 552 and they were starting now to develop it  how would it differ. and I am not just talking SQ.. perhaps it would be more like the new Uniti series??? And use some of its new decoupling and shielding technology... it might just be if Naim were starting the 552 now it wouldn't need to cost 20k??

If I were Naim I would already be thinking down those lines and considering a replacement for 552 (and others) and if that means it is either the same sound quality at less cost, or better sound quality but not pushing price even higher, then I would go ahead - ideally the first, as it can only be to Naim's benefit if they can bring down the cost of ownership while maintaining profit, as the price of the 552 must seriously limit potential sales.

But of course they would not allow even a whiff of any plans out as that could destroy the market for what there is.

jon honeyball posted:

 But given the excellent service opportunities from Salisbury (and other authorised places), the real world price of 552 is now 10k ish for a 2nd hand one. I cant imagine anyone buying one new these days, given where it is on its likely lifespan curve. 

Suggesting that the days of the traditional pre-amp are numbered?

Absolutely. You wouldnt do mm/mc phono stage built into one -- that would be external. So its just a line level switch and volume control. 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

jon honeyball posted:

 But given the excellent service opportunities from Salisbury (and other authorised places), the real world price of 552 is now 10k ish for a 2nd hand one. I cant imagine anyone buying one new these days, given where it is on its likely lifespan curve. 

Suggesting that the days of the traditional pre-amp are numbered?

Well, Mango is at peace, and has decided to keep his 552.

But his timing is impeccable, if one was trying to fetch the highest price for his pre-loved 552!

I would think, that Naim's Ovators, and it's Reference CDP, may have fetched more in the 2nd hand Market, a couple years ago!

Timing is key!

With that being said, Linn may have pulled the plug, a bit early on it's Pre-Amps!

"Linn discontinues all analog preamps!

Dunno man.

did a complete rebuild late this evening.

who am I kidding?

next step: nap500DR.

even if it means liquidate the second system.

Have to say if I had a 552 I would yearn for a NAP500.

to each their own.

282/HCDR/250 DR does the job for me.

I have a NAP 500, fed by NAC52.  Should I be dreaming of a 552?  or what about a passive pre-amp of some sort?

The Townshend Allegri is a very good passive TVC for about £2k. I haven't heard it with a Naim power amp. However, some (e.g. Martin Colloms the reviewer) use it into a NAP500.

Beachcomber posted:

I have a NAP 500, fed by NAC52.  Should I be dreaming of a 552?  or what about a passive pre-amp of some sort?

One or two have compared a Naim power amp, though I don't think it was the 500, fed by Dave direct using it effectively as its own preamp, and played through 552. Their conclusion was that it was better through 552, though the reason is uncertain - possibly simply because a Naim preamp is needed to produce the Naim sound, and if so the same would presumably apply to a passive preamp