I had both the 282 HiCapped and the 252. I missed the 282 and was happy again with the 552. I also preferred the CDX2 to the NDS. The full musical enjoyment came back with the ND555.
I was seriously peeved when I demoed the 282 and 252: as far as I was concerned the 252 couldn’t get cello right and the 282 fell short on piano. The 552 got me smiling.
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I remember the first time I heard this combo: about 3 weeks ago : ) Also magical.
Sold my CDS/52/2x250 system in 2001. So it’s only taken me, er… two decades to return to the same level of musical enjoyment. I’m a slow learner!
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I preferred too the Cdx2 vs Nds, the first months after I bought the Nds. The Cdx2 was more involving and immediate, urgent.
But things changed after, with the addition of Audioquest diamond Ethernet cables and audiophile switches. Today my Nds is completely on another level vs the Cdx2 / XPS 2 I had. The difference is like between a cd5i and Cdx2 / xps.
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I went from 282 to 552. I don’t think I would have gone to 252 if I hadn’t been able to make the 552 work. Lindsay has it spot on I think that 552 combines the best qualities of 282 and 252 and more.
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My new 552 is coming on song now playing permanently for a few days. It replaced my previous 252.
I love my new pre-amp. Again a wonderful step up. There seems to be more of everything but I especially like the bettered 3D imaging and the extra level of detail. I notice the 552 is slightly more direct than the 252. The speakers I use, benefit from this additional directness.
The sound is so mature and even authorative. I had guests coming over last weekend (they know my previous set-up) and they couldn’t believe their ears. With the volume at 9 o’clock, there is such a wonderful sound in my living room. I keep on listening.
What a nice hobby
Iver
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Mine has been running approx 24 hours and this evening Beth Orton is sounding a little harsh. Hopefully a temporary thing.
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My 2 week old 252 has dipped too hopefully it will come back on song soon, Kate Bush The Kick Inside sounds a bit off tonight 
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The 552 is stuff of dreams. It is fantastic to hear of these stories. One day this could be my dream! Congratulations to you all on getting the 552. It’s a result of hard work and saving and living your dreams.
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Can’t be the 252
Must be you HiFiman ! It happens, humans go through mood changes etc etc
It goes up and down a bit for the first few months before settling in to ‘consistently outstanding’.
G
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My gosh your system has changed quite a bit over the last few years.
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Nice system 
Is a 500DR on the cards anytime soon?
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You’re right @marcusman it’s been quite an- accelerated - journey. But you know, it’s my only hobby. Need to work pretty hard, and listening to music on my own in the evening is the single thing that relaxes me.
The journey went all the way from 5-series system to NDX/Supernait/Allae. I had that last system quite a while. A few years ago I went into the Classic series with 282/250 and that is where it really started fascinating me. Just love the sound and love to get things everytime a little better. The introduction of Roon made that even stronger; fantastic software that just keeps you listening again and again. I always dreamt of the system I now have, so expect to not make real big changes anymore. Thinking of loudspeaker cables maybe and / or powerfilter. I will also put the NUC in a fanless cabinet. … but of course, never-say-never: I recently heart Wilson Sabrina X and can’t get them out of my had 
Cheers,
Iver
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Hi @bongoman see my other answer to @marcusman … for the moment I do not have the 500 on my radar. It is probably very good, but I believe my current 300Dr can easily drive my speakers and it doesn’t seem the “weak” spot at the moment
Cheers
Iver
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I don’t know if you saw my recent thread about SabrinaX? We have similar systems and I have pulled the trigger on going from SF Olympica Nova II to the SabrinaXs … wonderful speakers.
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That’s what I thought too, until the 500 DR arrived to replace my 300 DR … … … jaw dropping doesn’t begin to cover it.
It may just have been the final piece in my HiFi jigsaw, but it’s effect was simply stunning.
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Hi Dave, the 500DR has indeed got this uncanny depth to it, and that once heard is somewhat hard to live without 
Enjoy Peter
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