Thanks @SjMj, @Buryfc and @Thomas
Your words and @RackKit’s greatly reassure me I’ve not made a mistake in buying the 252 unheard.
UPC tried to deliver today but I was at work (aaargh), so they’re coming back in the morning - Iuckily I’d booked tomorrow off as that was the estimated delivery day, which will now give me a three day weekend to warm and set it up.
Can’t wait!
If the 252 doesn’t quite work for you, then try the SuperCap into a 282 as a mid-point upgrade.
Cheers @T-elmi - that’s what I had (282/SC2 non DR) - was trying out 2 HCDRs before I found the 252. Sounded great, but I could see where more control would be a good move, especially when I wound up the volume.
Enjoy today with your 252. It’s a wonderful pre.
G
As much as I enjoyed my 282 I have found myself listening to (and enjoying) a wider variety of music since I replaced it with a 252. One thing I do find though is that at lower volumes the listening experience is more cerebral and the emotional impact switches on as the volume creeps up. Maybe that’s true of a lot of equipment but with the 252 I sense the moment arriving like flicking on a light switch, it’s more obvious and impactful. Generally speaking for me it’s just around 9pm on the volume dial. My room, speakers, ears etc.
I found the same thing with my 282, @marksnaim, but I thought it was down to my 805s, which some reviewers noted needed some volume to wake up and project. This was at 9ish, as you say.
I think the 250DR improved them a little in this respect.
It’ll be ineresting to see if the 252 wakes them any earlier!
Its 9o’clock with the 252 I have here, with my 250DR and Kudos Titan 606’s. It does depend on the record I’m playing or what I’m streaming though.
My 252 puts a grin on my face every time I press ‘Play’. 
Exactly, @JimDog!
My SN3 gave me a broad smile, the 282 (to my surprise ) made my mouth fall open.
So I’m all in for the big grin…
Ooh, it’s just arrived. Includes a Burndy! I didn’t know that - superb!
Enjoy the comparison of your 282 and new 252! I guess a number of people here will soon look out for your 282 in the used market… 
Exciting times. Result about the Burndy! 
Whatever happens, don’t succumb to expectation bias!
@JimDog. LOL. Yeah…with my 282 I had little or indeed no idea vs my SN3 (an amp I thought was pretty great in the first place).
I’m not expecting the exactly same leap with the 252.
But… 
Time for the hard bit, removing the gear and stripping and rebuilding the Fraim. Fortified with tea and toast, let the work begin… 
I’m waiting to receive a 252 to replace my 282 which will be paired with my SCDR+250DR and Titan 606. I hope they work well together!
I think your going to love the 252. I have never understood it’s critics although I accept it is their valid opinion. I look forward to reading about your first impressions now you have had your cuppa! I came from an 82 which I loved, but the 252 is the real deal imho. Enjoy.
They do
Well I’ve just purchased a new 282 mainly to fit and forget for 10-15 years.
Powered by a measly HiCapDR and using NAP300 all I can say is wow, sounds sublime into SL2s.
The kit is setup on a duel stack Fraim keeping the 300s, HiCap and NAPSC on the right, source components including 282 on the left allowing the 282 to shine.
As it stands now I’m done, okay the 252 may sound better but the attack and the way the 282 grooves its an incredible listen.
Feed a high source into the 282 it will reward.
Source ND5XS2>MScaler>Qutest
Speaker cable Phantom.
What are the other digital/interconnect cables you have?
Thanks,
David
All digital cables are from Mark Grant the HDX1.
Naim standard cables, SNAIC for HiCap to 282 and original 300 supplied cables.
Of course, a 553 is something else entirely!
But I would add to the 252 appreciation, it’s IMO a wonderful pre in a balanced system