NAC552DR

I bought a new one last year, no regrets (other than the balance knob is a notch out but one day I'll get round to sending it back to be put on centrally).

25 years??

Closer to 15 years, I think. Main changes down to the NAC552 head unit revolved around a modification to the wiring around the Burndy inlet (only affected first few units) and then a change to the WBT Phonos - the first units had the standard gold WBTs.  Next came the WBT Next Gen sockets.  Next came the updated Next Gen Sockets with the metal retaining rings. 

Since you already have a 555ps DR, i 'd consider an upgrade with CD555 head

Regards

Roberto

CXF04, What is your current pre?  What others would you consider as alternatives to the 552?

Nick

Nick, thank you for your thought. My current preamp is NAC 252 with Supercap-DR, a very good preamp that I enjoy and grateful to have owned. Over many years I've found "better" preamps did much to illuminate musical image and strengthened my ability to follow and recall what I listened to, I hope I'm right about 552. 

Having never heard a 252 myself, I cannot comment on sound quality differences vs the 552.  I moved from a 112/150 to a 552/500 buying used, during a moment of unusual market-opportunity.  No regrets; still, had the 112/150 not impressed me so, I would not be where I am today.  Both have an energy that is hard to describe, and do bass better than others I have tried.

Obsolescence is less of a worry with Naim than with other makers, if their excellent support continues as it has.  There are die-hard fans of every platform — Chrome-bumper, Olive, Black.  

I am sure there must be somebody who prefers the 252 or 282 to the 552; maybe you are one of them.  Until you can listen yourself, you cannot  be sure.

Let us know what you decide to do.

Best of luck.

Nick

I'm sure there will be many 552 owners ready to give you some comforting words regarding your potential purchase. Yes, it's a lot of money but it's often considered the best piece of equipment Naim make. I moved from a 52 to a none DR'd 552 earlier this year and have found it transformational.

I would also take heed of the reccomendation to change the CDS3 for either a 555CDP, NDS or top flight turntable to make it work for a living! I was using a CDX2, NDac and 555PS - generally considered pretty good but a 555CDP blew this into the weeds and showed me just how good the system can be through the 552.

Have no fear, the 552 will bring you all you wish for.

Enjoy.

No regrets here in going for a 552DR, which I use with a 300DR. I jumped from a 282/SCDR about 18 months ago (didn't like the 252DR) and I'm still finding new insights on albums that I thought I knew inside out.  The only pre I've heard that betters the 552DR is the mighty S1. I'm sure you won't regret taking the plunge.   

To sum up the comments when I got my 552 DR, "prepare yourself for many late nights, as you re-discover your music collection".

Know what? They were right, as the pre-amp gives fresh insight into so many familiar recordings, and is simply more musical than the 252 which preceded it.

FWIW, I'm using the 300 DR too, and the combination is brilliant, you've made the right decision.

As to source, I changed out my CDS 3 for an NDS, but let's not go there, as I wouldn't wish to advocate spending any more of someone else's money!

Mind you, it's awfully good, and you've already got the 555PS DR, so, ............................ 

Stop raving about the bl**dy 552. Yes it is bonkers good but infuriatingly out of each for most of us. 

Frustrated, of Chesham.

Now where did I put that lottery ticket.

I must agree that the pre amp is a critical component in the chain.

I’ll echo what others have said. If you have a 252 now I’m certain you’ll love the 552, the difference is huge. I got a new 552 earlier this year. Took 3 months to get near to the demo one I had on loan but was still miles better than the 252 out of the box, cold.

I have a 300dr and NDS. 

Drewy posted:

I’ll echo what others have said. If you have a 252 now I’m certain you’ll love the 552, the difference is huge. I got a new 552 earlier this year. Took 3 months to get near to the demo one I had on loan but was still miles better than the 252 out of the box, cold.

I have a 300dr and NDS. 

Stop it….just….just….stop it.

(From a 252 owner)

I'll add my voice to the chorus.  My 552 is 15 years old and I had it recapped/DR'd earlier this year.  It took a few months to break-in, but it was worth the wait.  The 552 makes the most of every source, no matter the quality.  There's a wonderful transparency to the sound that's always easy on the ears.  It will give you new insight into recording you know well.  Highly recommended.  

While it makes sense in theory to max out the source, I didn't like how the CD555 came through when fronting a 552/500 system. The CDS3 sounded somehow right. The CD555 sounded somehow wrong. I suppose it's one of those things that you have to hear for yourself.

Unless you've heard a 552, nothing can prepare you for just magical it sounds without sounding like anything at all. The DR makes it disappear all the more. It's uncanny. But no need to take my word for it. Your ears will decide. And they will love you.

I purchased a NAC552 and PS552DR just five weeks ago. One thing I have found is that it takes a long time to warm up and settle down. After three weeks when it was really starting to sound good I had to go away for a few days. In view of Ophelia and Brian I thought I'd turn it all off and unplug it whilst I was away. Of course, I'm now back to square one in the warm up process! It doesn't sound bad, but not quite as it did prior to the power down. Nonetheless it's still a cracking control unit. 

Harry posted:

While it makes sense in theory to max out the source, I didn't like how the CD555 came through when fronting a 552/500 system. The CDS3 sounded somehow right. The CD555 sounded somehow wrong. I suppose it's one of those things that you have to hear for yourself.

Unless you've heard a 552, nothing can prepare you for just magical it sounds without sounding like anything at all. The DR makes it disappear all the more. It's uncanny. But no need to take my word for it. Your ears will decide. And they will love you.

I’ve got a CDS3 with a 282.  I’ve previously heard a CDS3 with a 552, and have more recently heard a CD555 with a 552 and £s dependent I know which I’d have

Given the exception service support from Salisbury, what are the advantages to you of buying new?

Yep this is a great pre ....... but, I found that going from a 272/555ps it was a bit of a shock ..... this is quite a forthright preamp (in a good way) that sees a return to a slightly more upfront presentation (classic naim) ..... it is fabulous ... but will be a distinct change from the slightly more relaxed 252. Remember the old maxell advert with the guy sat in a chair with his hair blown back!!! ..... I think you will be very surprised....in a very good way.....watch the volume sensativity....9 o'clock will blast you...

Richieroo posted:

Yep this is a great pre ....... but, I found that going from a 272/555ps it was a bit of a shock ..... this is quite a forthright preamp (in a good way) that sees a return to a slightly more upfront presentation (classic naim) ..... it is fabulous ... but will be a distinct change from the slightly more relaxed 252. Remember the old maxell advert with the guy sat in a chair with his hair blown back!!! ..... I think you will be very surprised....in a very good way.....watch the volume sensativity....9 o'clock will blast you...

Absoultely ! at 9- 10  o' clock the dynamics , clarity and scale are simply outragious. Mine too, took about two months to come on song. I used for the first four month with Nap 250-2 and it was bottlenecking the system.  Then  Nap 500 came to the party and it was pure heaven in comparison.

Regards

Roberto

It's a stunningly good preamp. I've had mine seven years, and the sound is so magical (I run it active through a pair of 500s, Super Lumina and SL2s) that I'm a bit hesitant about having it DR'rd. I'm sure I'd probably like it, but it would be awful if I didn't...

Mike Kent posted:

It's a stunningly good preamp. I've had mine seven years, and the sound is so magical (I run it active through a pair of 500s, Super Lumina and SL2s) that I'm a bit hesitant about having it DR'rd. I'm sure I'd probably like it, but it would be awful if I didn't...

Mike - be rest assured

Mike Kent posted:

It's a stunningly good preamp. I've had mine seven years, and the sound is so magical (I run it active through a pair of 500s, Super Lumina and SL2s) that I'm a bit hesitant about having it DR'rd. I'm sure I'd probably like it, but it would be awful if I didn't...

same system as mine except i dont have SL speaker nor XLR cables (only have SL IC for NDS and for snaxo). 552PS DR worked for me.

enjoy

ken

I purchased a used NAC552 DR 4 months ago.

It's really a good preamp. However, compared to 252, the extension in the upper part needs to be carefully considered. The matching with speakers, room and cables becomes very important.

Maybe it would different with a non DR 552 ....

Acquired a used 552 DR from Alastair & Andy at Signals a couple of weeks ago. I previous ran a Supernait 2 with HiCap DR , so it was a large jump. For me the biggest difference is in that it now feels that you are closer to live performance and all that it brings, with a real sense of urgency. If that is your thing, then terrific - if not well you may not be as satisfied with the overall move and costly purchase.