NAC552DR

rsch posted:

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

Regards

Roberto

rsch, I have been open to CD555 and would obviously have opportunity of using my 555PS, but they have been dropped and I have not seen any used for sale at dealer I use.

Thank you for your thoughts!

Charles   

I’d consider a used NDS rather than a 555CD. It just does so much more. 

NickSeattle posted:

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

Nick, I wish I could believe that Naim's current brand identity would last as long as I would. Naim's ownership has been juggled a few times in recent years and I'm sure each new owner/investor's goal is to take profits. I don't begrudge that hope and I and others have seen investing in Naim gear as worthy investment. I hope Naim's business leaders are wise enough to see that brand loyalty is child of Naim's product.

Charles

Geko posted:

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.

 

Geko, thank you for your comment!

I have on my short shopping list NDS, but I've held back not reading on Forum, or elsewhere, that NDS with one or two 555Ps is in league with CD555. I've spoken with people in shops who describe NDS in polite terms and who've suggested I probably would not find its sound even a step greater than what I now own. Listening in shop is worthwhile but in the end its living with it at home that's the only real test. Anyone with any thoughts on NDS please share!

Geko, thank you again, I always value your input! 

Charles    

dave marshall posted:

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, ............................ 

Dave, thank you for your considered response.

In my soon inevitable and overdue retirement I've planned to devote a large chunk of time to listening to my collection and loading disks for NDS as end of life goal. 

Dave, if you are happy with your NDS can you share if you use one or two 555PS and what else you have done that seems to work for you.   

Charles    

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. 

Drewy, do you know why Naim after charging premium prices and have reputation for audio excellence does not break products in?

Charles  

Chris Bell posted:

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.  

Chris, I will be auditioning this week and will look for your description, thank you.

Charles 

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.

Harry, I have noticed and valued your comments in past, I will look for your description as I will others. Much appreciated.

Charles 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

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

Strat, which one would you select?

Charles

jon honeyball posted:

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

John, I recognize that Naim provides support and brand integrity, but I am music lover and not true audiophile, stateside I do not see much in way of used Naim gear where I shop, or they do not show it to me and as I've been told Naim scene in UK is very different.     

It was a personal thing with the CD555. I just didn't connect with the presentation. There was nothing wrong with it. It just didn't do it for me. A bit mechanical, cold, more analytical than engaging. Probably one of the best CDPs ever built . And maybe that's the problem for me? Don't know. 

The NDS was a different story. I loved it from the first note I heard it play. It's a kind of spiritual successor to the CDS3 IMO. It's got that easy going, organic, just right presentation, but it goes a lot deeper than that.  

CXF04 posted:

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. 

Drewy, do you know why Naim after charging premium prices and have reputation for audio excellence does not break products in?

Charles  

I think Richard Dane answers that one best. I believe I’ve seen him explain his view on it before but I believe the designers listen to each of at least the higher end products before they get sent out. 

CXF04 posted:

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. 

Drewy, do you know why Naim after charging premium prices and have reputation for audio excellence does not break products in?

Charles  

Naim do the first part - they connect the equipment up to a switching unit that turns it on and off over a set cycle over 24-48 hours depending on the product. This is called soak testing and is the first stage in the burn-in process - it also means that any component that may be prone to early failure should be caught here.

It's just not possible to do the rest of the burn-in process for a customer - it would mean the factory having to use the equipment day in day out for weeks, which is just not viable or even desirable, and would also add considerably to the end cost.

However, if anyone wishes their Statement amp to be "run-in" for 6 months before they dare take a listen, I'm ready and waiting to do just that.  I won't even charge for the service... 

Put it another way, would you wait another six months for your nice new preamp or would you prefer to have it running in in your own front room??

If during the 552's run-in period it sounded poor you might have a point, Drewy. But it doesn't.  From cold mine sounded significantly better than the 282/SCDR that I had and the 252DR I had tried.  After a week it sounded even better. After the run-in period......well others have described it better than I can.     

Drewy posted:

I’d consider a used NDS rather than a 555CD. It just does so much more. 

 

Not sound wise it doesn’t.  

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Drewy posted:

I’d consider a used NDS rather than a 555CD. It just does so much more. 

 

Not sound wise it doesn’t.  

Since we're approaching the Christmas panto season, "Oh yes it does" ............ (sorry, couldn't help myself) ,,,,,,,,,,, but it does, really. 

CXF04 posted:

dave marshall posted:

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, ............................ 

Dave, thank you for your considered response.

In my soon inevitable and overdue retirement I've planned to devote a large chunk of time to listening to my collection and loading disks for NDS as end of life goal. 

Dave, if you are happy with your NDS can you share if you use one or two 555PS and what else you have done that seems to work for you.   

Charles    

Hi Charles,

Well, all it took was an home demo, from my ever obliging dealer, to move on from the  CDS3 to the NDS, which made the CD player sound "closed in" somehow.

I had the 555PS already, so, to power the streamer, life was great...............however, I was aware that folks were recommending a twin power supply, just as they used to do with the CD 555, so when one came up at a good price, I thought....... "why not?"

Best thing I ever did .............. as good as the NDS had been sounding, the twin power supplies took things to a whole different place

Otherwise, I've done the whole SuperLumina thing, even to the extent of SL jumpers for my twin post speakers, but that's more than likely just me appeasing my "buy everything from the same place" mentality.

Final thing that works for me? ........................... sometimes, just enjoy the music.  

MDS posted:

If during the 552's run-in period it sounded poor you might have a point, Drewy. But it doesn't.  From cold mine sounded significantly better than the 282/SCDR that I had and the 252DR I had tried.  After a week it sounded even better. After the run-in period......well others have described it better than I can.     

Agree it never sounded “poor”, it was always better than anything else lower in the range and I’d have been none the wiser if it wasn’t for the fact I had Naim’s own 8 year old demo model at home for a week before I placed an order and that thing sounded amazing. 

Lio84 posted:

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 ....

Lio84, You mention "upper extension," is this secondary to the frequently described brightness that seems to accompany DR of components and often removes the Naim's earlier darkish-sultry veneer that was pleasing,  seductive and embracing?

Charles    

dave marshall posted:

CXF04 posted:

dave marshall posted:

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, ............................ 

Dave, thank you for your considered response.

In my soon inevitable and overdue retirement I've planned to devote a large chunk of time to listening to my collection and loading disks for NDS as end of life goal. 

Dave, if you are happy with your NDS can you share if you use one or two 555PS and what else you have done that seems to work for you.   

Charles    

Hi Charles,

Well, all it took was an home demo, from my ever obliging dealer, to move on from the  CDS3 to the NDS, which made the CD player sound "closed in" somehow.

I had the 555PS already, so, to power the streamer, life was great...............however, I was aware that folks were recommending a twin power supply, just as they used to do with the CD 555, so when one came up at a good price, I thought....... "why not?"

Best thing I ever did .............. as good as the NDS had been sounding, the twin power supplies took things to a whole different place

Otherwise, I've done the whole SuperLumina thing, even to the extent of SL jumpers for my twin post speakers, but that's more than likely just me appeasing my "buy everything from the same place" mentality.

Final thing that works for me? ........................... sometimes, just enjoy the music.  

Dave,

Thank you for sharing your experience. In reading about NDS many on Forum and elsewhere characterize second PS as having little if any  impact. Can you tell me why you believe adding second PS meaningfully enhanced your listening? Is there anything else in your setup like SL cables, etc. that you sees as important? In my one listening to Statement setup at dealer I was told important factor was "battery." Your thoughts have been well considered and appreciated!

Answer to Charles :

I don't know if "brightness" is the best word to describe my initial feeling with the 552 DR.  The fact is that once the 552 DR arrived to replace 252 + SC DR, the high frequencies became much more present and I had to be very careful in the choice of numeric cable feeding the NDS and speaker cables to counterbalance. This feeling is also very speaker and room dependant. It depends also on the type of music your listen to. I have a lot of classical music with large orchestras and wind instruments.

My first decision was to change the "synergistic reasearch" speaker cables and to invest in NACA 5 (and after the SL arrived, it was also a great improvement). 

As for RJ 45 cables between the NAS and switch, switch and NDS, their influence on the high frenquencies were also significant. I chose Audioquest Diamond RJ45 cables and not Esprit cables for that reason.

The initial feeling has gone and my system is probably more balanced now 

Is this really true? £20k on a preamp and you need to spend a fortune on cabling to get it sounding 'right'? 

All used materials for me

And 552 is very transparent, your source needs to be at the top

Timmo1341 posted:

Is this really true? £20k on a preamp and you need to spend a fortune on cabling to get it sounding 'right'? 

Full standard Naim cabling here apart from powerlines and strangely mine seems to be the exception.