552 vs. Statement

I've heard 552DR/500DR v S1/500DR v full Statement

The S1 is in a different league to the 552DR. Hugely revealing, at times enough to make me laugh.  I wasn't as impressed by the Statement power amps and thought the 500DR was closer to those than the 552DR was to the S1.  

Is the gap between a 252 and 552 also bigger then the gap between a 300 and 500 power and so on down the range?  

The power amps are just less important than the pre - always? 

Paul

Hm..interesting observation. But thats actually good news for all us 500DR and even more so  active 500DR users. Just replace the 552 with an S1 pre.  Maybe naim can come up with a fraim and account compatilbe S1pre version to make the move more attractive.  Also lots of 552s on the s/h market then.

Franz K posted:

Hm..interesting observation. But thats actually good news for all us 500DR and even more so  active 500DR users. Just replace the 552 with an S1 pre.  Maybe naim can come up with a fraim and account compatilbe S1pre version to make the move more attractive.  Also lots of 552s on the s/h market then.

I believe that's what Darke Bear on here did and has been very pleased with the results.  

There's really no comparison... the S1 is astonishing.  

The real question is whether the Statement can hang with the Nait2.   Discuss.

[@mention:1566878603865114] - hope to hear the S1 at your place soon. ;-)

Alba1320 posted:

ngarritson posted:

The real question is whether the Statement can hang with the Nait2.   Discuss.

Now you're just being silly; I mean, what chance has Statement against that?!

My point exactly!  

The gentleman I purchased my 552 from bought an S1 to replace it ...... he said this to me......the 552 will be (for me) like opening the door into a room with a wonderful view..... the S1 is like going into the same room except now the full set of bi-fold doors are wide open to the garden!!!!!

Richieroo posted:

The gentleman I purchased my 552 from bought an S1 to replace it ...... he said this to me......the 552 will be (for me) like opening the door into a room with a wonderful view..... the S1 is like going into the same room except now the full set of bi-fold doors are wide open to the garden!!!!!

Oh dear oh dear oh dear

so S1 is the end game

His words not mine ......... having said that I am delighted with the 552.......if it takes 50 grand to buy an S1 and Naim 5 years of research to beat it ... then  it is no surprise ..... just shows how good 552 is.......

I don't know whatever I've experienced goes against the preamp first mantra here.

The source, speakers, cables, everything counts.

Well ... I think Naim probably more so than other manufacturers use the pre amp to almost voice the main power amp. People have used passive preamps etc and found whilst there is some merit ...... something is lost - almost like the propulsive Naim musical drive ..... I think the way to consider is the preamp and amp are actually one system doing a job. I listened to a Chord Dave driving a NAP300dr ......... I was so so dissapointed - you would think that would be a stellar combo..... this was driving concept 500's it sounded lack luster.... 

ngarritson posted:

The real question is whether the Statement can hang with the Nait2.   Discuss.

Surely the right comparison at this level is Statement versus 272/250?

I think all levels of Naim from QB, Atom, Star, Nova all the way to 272 and beyond 500 series can and will delight musically, it's just a matter of a little love and care with the set up, with support from your expert dealer.