NAC 252 - Strange Serial Number

Might have been an internal build by/for a staff member

I have several boxes I was given/bought from Julian Vereker that have somewhat "asynchronous" serial numbers. 

It says in the description that it’s new, and has been kept in storage. Yet the top of the case is discoloured and the top of the front edge is marked in several places. I certainly wouldn’t even consider it for the asking price of £4,900. You could always call Naim tomorrow and ask who Linda is. They are £6,250 new and typically sold ex-dem with a five year warranty for 20% or so off. That’s what I’d be looking for, rather than taking a punt.

Yeah it could be a staff box. It appears to say Linda’s 

I'd avoid. Plenty of choice around from dealers. 

Some ‘staff built’ components don’t have serial numbers on them at all (e.g. my Olive NAC 72 is staff built and no serial number).

I would check the serial number with Naim - either call them or email the support - normally you’ll get a quick email back.

I have asked the seller to explain.  I'd like to upgrade from a 282 and obviously I'm somewhat tempted by "new" at such a discount but if someone beats me to it it will solve a dilemma.

Look at the state of it. How can it possibly be new? If you really want new, go and talk sweetly to your dealer, and you might be surprised. 

Agree with HH, make it known to your dealer that you want one, but cannot affordthe new price, perhaps his mint demo 252 will suddenly become available.

Hungryhalibut posted:

How can it possibly be new? 

It can't.

OP, run.

Now!

Even if its been in storage and not used don't the internal components deteriorate with age ?

I'm no expert but looking at that picture I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. Looks like my cat's had a go at it.

Have you actually compared the 282 with a252? The 252 is more refined but loses  some of the vitality of the 282. Different presentation which some like and some don't.

If you haven't done the comparison then all the more reason for going through a dealer.

Even if the auction site one was  unused, as soon as you buy it it would become used and given the provenance worth about half of the current asking price if you wanted to move it on.

Jonn posted:

Have you actually compared the 282 with a252? The 252 is more refined but loses  some of the vitality of the 282. Different presentation which some like and some don't.

If you haven't done the comparison then all the more reason for going through a dealer.

 

Jonn makes a very good point. Regardless of the provenance of this particular unit, it's important that you've heard and liked what the 252 does compared to your 282 before committing. 

It looks like it may well be a staff build.  However, the penned in serial number looks spurious and possibly a later unofficial addition.  I'd  want to know the history, i.e. whose it was (Linda?) and who built it.  As Paul Stephenson once declared, even the cleaner could build a bit of kit for themselves if they so desired.  For those of us who wanted the best performance but either didn't have the required time or skill to build ourselves, the trick was to find the star builders, ask them nicely and then shower them with gifts...

Thanks for all the replies and kind thoughts.  I think I’ll give this unit a miss though I do like the 252 sound so will keep hunting. 

When I bought my 52, I  was told by the second owner that it was a staff build. When I sent it in for service, they would neither confirm nor deny, but they said that while the serial number was out of the  usual run, the 52 was complete and correct.

Still, if it makes you uncomfortable, you are right to give it a miss.

It is a lot of money to spend, if you are then going to spend every day wondering.  Oh, and what happens when you try to sell it on?