Any 552 Owner ever regretted buying it and why?

Richieroo posted:

When I first installed 552 I thought omg.... it was slam dung in your face...full edge of the seat ... initially I thought the high frequency too hot. Then I realised there was actually a helava lot more info coming through but balance was too hard and a bit edgy....I then replaced the hi line cable with a borrowed super lumina between nds and 552...... and then total bliss. The 552 is like a supercharged 252..... that does not necessarily make it easy to sit in a system it needs tlc but it does deliver in spades.y 

Totally agree,

It's not always easy to live with it especially when records quality (cd) is scarce. Compared with my previous 282/HC. dr/250 it's got a tremendous amount of dynamics and detail, mid/high frequencies sometimes a tad aggressive. As above the introduction of   S.Lumina interconnect and speakers cable has improved the lot.

At the end of the day the acquisition is justifiable only if partenered with Nap 500 or 300dr

Regards

Roberto

I totally agree with Roberto ..... this pre-amp pushes the limits - and it is capable of giving all the things this forum talks about.... but it needs care and it can be unforgiving of poor recordings. Its natural partner is the 500 - my next step is to eventually install a dedicated HD mains circuit......... I certainly do not regret buying it......if I came into a large amount of disposable cash I certainly would be tempted by the S1 pre.

I actually find it can make more sense of bad recordings. Ive had recordings that were so bad that I wondered if the producer had actually listened to them before release. Some of these Ive now reassessed, and while still not the best of recordings most make some sense now, you can hear some merit in the recording/production, and actually get some enjoyment from it

.

I also find it very good at letting the music come through from bad recordings, you're aware the recording's not great but that doesn't get in the way. My lesser sources sound like they're giving their best without their faults being unduely highlighted too. I'm on stock Naim cables and A5 with Powerlines on all Naim boxes, non Naim devices have Chord Crimson or Chrysalis or in the case of the TV a generic RCA/DIN patch cord except the DVD 5 (which is the signal earth connection for the system) has a Hiline.

but where does the source figure in all of this?

Mr Happy posted:

I actually find it can make more sense of bad recordings. Ive had recordings that were so bad that I wondered if the producer had actually listened to them before release. Some of these Ive now reassessed, and while still not the best of recordings most make some sense now, you can hear some merit in the recording/production, and actually get some enjoyment from it

.

Thank you Mango, Roberto, Richieroo, Mr Happy, Chris and everyone who has contributed. Like Simon in S I play opera, classical and modern. I have caught up with the last thirty years recently as [@mention:12970396060785205] and Bert and others from the music room know. 

Your contributions and reassurances make it hard to resist.

Phil

Hi Phil glad you found our musings helpful.......... re bad recordings .... certainly the NDS does not take any prisoners ... and the 552 ain't going to hold anything back ..... however, thinking about it, .... my LP12 it sounds great on less than perfect recordings - so this is the other side. However, the NDS may calm down a little when I get my 55ps dr upgraded. So probably the other contributors have a point. By the way the 552 sounds fantastic driving a Graham Slee ULDE driving the HD800S - I have never been a huge headphone fan ..... but this combination is stunning.

analogmusic posted:

but where does the source figure in all of this?

 

Well it’s either good enough or it’s not.  Discuss.......no on 2nd thoughts perhaps not

I am planing to buy öne, will a cd2x\555psdr will be a good enough source ör my Dr fieckert woodpacker 2/Lyra lycos/Brinkmann fein analog set up?

analogmusic posted:

but where does the source figure in all of this?

 

what is the source out of the following:

Streaming: DAC? Renderer? Serving process and medium? Recording incl mastering?

Analog: Phono amp stage? Cartridge? Arm? TT? Vinyl disc? Recording incl mastering?

The 552 is one of those rare pieces about which I honestly cannot recall hearing anything negative. Folks just love it.

Having said that, it is a rarer piece here in the U.S. It's U.S cost of $35,000 goes along way to explaining that rarity, certainly in my case. And I think here in the U.S there are many more competitive units, some costing significantly less( in this market!)  because they are 1) locally built, and 2) the market is so large. In Britain, I can't think of any competition to a 552. You want the British best you get a 552. And no, I do not even want to discus a Statement. Think about it, $35,000 and it's not the top of the line.

So support the British economy and buy a 552. 

Everybody here made a quite contribution to British economy 

money well spent in my book, i Would not spend a dolar on Blue light mc something....

Richieroo posted:

Hi Phil glad you found our musings helpful.......... re bad recordings .... certainly the NDS does not take any prisoners ... and the 552 ain't going to hold anything back ..... however, thinking about it, .... my LP12 it sounds great on less than perfect recordings - so this is the other side. However, the NDS may calm down a little when I get my 55ps dr upgraded. So probably the other contributors have a point. By the way the 552 sounds fantastic driving a Graham Slee ULDE driving the HD800S - I have never been a huge headphone fan ..... but this combination is stunning.

Hi Richieroo, I try streamers like the Core into my nDAC + XPSDR (soon to be 555DR) from time to time, but stick with my CDX2 which is less hassle. I can use the TV media player via toslink to the nDAC if I’m lazy with pretty good results, but not quite as good as the CDX2!

I’ve revamped the box layout and cable dressing this afternoon to be sure of cable dressing and to clean the connectors/plugs by pulling out and pushing in. After the Bristol Show I hope to have a 552DR to demo!

I feel the 282/SCDR can be a bit harsh (mostly bass) with some CDs so I hope the 552 will be just right! Just feel like bypassing 252. Maybe the demo 555DR PS is still burning in. It certainly unveils the music, but maybe it needs the 552!

I have the full SL already.

Going by Richard Dane’s reports my RP10/Aphelion/Aria should be up to the job.

Phil

yeti42 posted:

I also find it very good at letting the music come through from bad recordings, you're aware the recording's not great but that doesn't get in the way. My lesser sources sound like they're giving their best without their faults being unduely highlighted too. I'm on stock Naim cables and A5 with Powerlines on all Naim boxes, non Naim devices have Chord Crimson or Chrysalis or in the case of the TV a generic RCA/DIN patch cord except the DVD 5 (which is the signal earth connection for the system) has a Hiline.

I stick with toslink into my nDAC for my TV setup to avoid noisy sources. It’s nearly as good as CDX2 when I play music from my NAS. I do have a refurbishedCisco 2960 8tc switch for NAS and TV (media player).

Phil

Hi Phil you have a great system at the front particularly the RP10 ...the 552  is very revealing so it will make the most of it for sure. The presentation should be not too dissimilar to the 282 ..... remind me what is your power amp and speaker combo...?

Not much more I can add here, other than add to to statistics to demonstrate that the 552 has near universal acclaim. I moved from 252/SC2 to 552 DR about 4 years ago, and have never regretted a single penny of the spend. It’s a truly superb preamp, that forms the hub of my system.

Richieroo posted:

Hi Phil you have a great system at the front particularly the RP10 ...the 552  is very revealing so it will make the most of it for sure. The presentation should be not too dissimilar to the 282 ..... remind me what is your power amp and speaker combo...?

Hi Richieroo

I have 300DR into Focal Sopra 2. I would like to see some harshness on some CDs (Madonna’s Ray of Light) improve, but maybe is just dance music! On many there is plenty of timbre.

Phil

I fully accept that the 552 is an amazing preamp, but when one really likes the sound of the 282/SC DR could one regret parting with it? I could take a really good offer on an almost new 552 DR, but would you having never heard a 552 DR in your system? My usually dealer has a demo one coming to me after the Bristol Show finishes in a week. The other one wants me to commit tomorrow as he says he has customers who will.

What would you do?

Phil

I think you know, Phil.

I really, really liked my 282/SCDR and it showed it's excellent capability even when I upgraded my 250.2 to 300DR.  But.............the 552DR is in another league.  While I could have happily lived with the 282/SCDR, fortunately I was able to afford a 552DR, and during nearly 2 years of ownership I haven't missed the 282/SCDR once.   

MDS posted:

I think you know, Phil.

I really, really liked my 282/SCDR and it showed it's excellent capability even when I upgraded my 250.2 to 300DR.  But.............the 552DR is in another league.  While I could have happily lived with the 282/SCDR, fortunately I was able to afford a 552DR, and during nearly 2 years of ownership I haven't missed the 282/SCDR once.   

Mike, but did you buy without hearing? Did you abandon your nearby dealer to save 5%? It is not money either.

Phil

I’d react against the pressure being applied for a quick sale. If you can’t take your time with the decision someone is trying to force it. Would you buy a used amp of this dealer?

if i had the budget for a nac 552 dr, i would consider also some other great preamps from Aavik, audio research reference 40 and dagostino.  I don’t know yet which one i would choose yet, but not necessarily the 552.

The main reason that I do feel satisfied with my purchase of the Nac 552 DR is that it continues to surprise me in what I really love about Naim, across a range of vinyl recordings. Its immediacy and attack on the music is beguiling and it puts a smile on my face, when I have the pleasure of using it. I took a major step up from Naim Supernait 2 and Hi Cap Dr and that was very impressive and gave me enormous pleasure, for the relatively low investment.

Human nature and ugraditus just gets you to ponder on what could be and this is where the Nac 552 demonstrates in droves - 'Ah, so that 's what the Naim fans were enthusing about!'

French Rooster posted:

if i had the budget for a nac 552 dr, i would consider also some other great preamps from Aavik, audio research reference 40 and dagostino.  I don’t know yet which one i would choose yet, but not necessarily the 552.

That would be my inclination, too (whether or not the same alternatives), but also comparing with no preamp (I’m using Dave DAC) - however in practice if I had the money I’d probably start by comparing the 500 against both my existing power amp and higher level Brystons, and then add 552 into that comparison.

Richieroo posted:

When I first installed 552 I thought omg.... it was slam dung in your face...full edge of the seat ... initially I thought the high frequency too hot. Then I realised there was actually a helava lot more info coming through but balance was too hard and a bit edgy....I then replaced the hi line cable with a borrowed super lumina between nds and 552...... and then total bliss. The 552 is like a supercharged 252..... that does not necessarily make it easy to sit in a system it needs tlc but it does deliver in spades.

Listening to the effect of the 555DR PS on the nDAC sourced from the CDX2 after sorting out a few setup and cable dressing issues yesterday is in your words ... full edge of the seat ... Even Madonna’s Ray of Light has lost the harshness. I don’t feel anything is over done.

How can one live with so much going on.....Well I suppose by turning the volume down a bit. Last night Melody Gardot’s My One and Only Thrill was sublime even through the TV media player.

I hope with more subdued music (at present) the 552 will bring out more enjoyment.

Phil