I got my 552 (replacing a 52) before the nd555 (replacing NDS) and 500 (replacing 300) and never felt that the 552 unbalanced things.
Had the dem 552 in my house for a couple of weeks and didn’t let it go back
I got my 552 (replacing a 52) before the nd555 (replacing NDS) and 500 (replacing 300) and never felt that the 552 unbalanced things.
Had the dem 552 in my house for a couple of weeks and didn’t let it go back
There are no ‘buts’ for me. I am completely happy with my (admittedly very expensive) system. My 552 is 20 years old next year, and it still puts a smile on my face every night.
If I won the lottery I would probably audition a Statement System, but I’m not hankering after anything. Mission accomplished!
You are absolutely correct. I auditioned a 552 the past 4 days to potentially replace 272/555 into 300DR and yes it was better, but it wasn’t until I turned up the volume that I said WOW.
The 300 is an outstanding amp in many ways. Had it for almost 2 years with my 552 and ND555 until a good deal on a 500 came along. Is the 500 better? Yes in many ways as has been described exhaustively. Are there aspects of the 300 sound signature I still miss 1 year later? Also yes.
I’m running my 552DR with a NDX2 and XPSDR (along with a non-DR 300), and it’s sounding fantastic. I had a 252 before this, which I really liked, but the separation and air between the instruments, and the additional detail in the 552 is really breathtaking
DAC used in both setups?
Same here. I’ll also add that I use a Bluesound NODE as my second string source - no outboard DAC - and it can sound amazingly good. It’s shocking to think that it’s one twentieth the cost of my LP12 / SuperLine / SuperCap combo. I’m sure the Qutest would be an excellent addition.
As to the question of balance, though my system sounds very good, I often wonder what a better power amp would bring to the table, and if I’m wasting much of the potential of my 552 with my “lowly” 250DR. Having said that, when I think of my 30+ year hi-fi journey, I suspect that I suffer from terminal upgraditis.
Tommy,
Can you hear me?!
Not after last night.
300 DR owner here, telling myself this is good enough and no need to upgrade to 500 DR
Which aspects of the 300 would it be that you miss?
I knew someone was going to ask that question.
I do have trouble describing audio characteristics but it seems that the same system with the 300 I found that my listening sessions were longer overall. Maybe too much detail with 500? It did accentuate a low frequency mode in my room that I think I rectified with speaker placement adjustment.
So no need to change - thanks for giving me peace of mind
top favourite
Night and day! sorry…
I don’t get that line of thinking. It’s all they had to use (publicly) at the time; they recognised they needed something much better and so introduced exactly that with CD555.
No one snapped up the ridiculously cheap 552 for sale from a certain main dealer that’s ex demo but un-used for over half price!?
Is that a DR?
Cheap if it is.
But now some say the 552 is not enough good for Nd555/ twin ps. On Hificritic per example.
It is!