I’ve got a bit of a dilemma - I’ve been offered a 252/SCDR at a good price (currently have 282/HCDR/300DR and soon to be adding Kudos 808).
I have tried the 252 at home a couple of times before and was left disappointed, so have tended to stick with the 282 (or SN3 as I just love them) in my Naim systems (I have a full change around every 12 - 18 months….I know…..its a serious condition and I can’t help stop myself).
I’m wondering if I should have given the 252 more time to warm up and settle before judging it. I gave it around 20 hours before properly listening. Does anyone have any advice on how long the 252/SCDR takes to come on song from cold?
I would say that from ‘cold’ such as a holiday away it is maybe a day or two before my system is really on song.
What disappointed you when you listened? I have had 252/SCDR but never a 282 or SN3. I have read people describing the 282 is quite a different character to the 252. Certainly the 252 is not ‘in your face’ it took me a bit of time to appreciate it’s all round abilities.
Are the 252 and Scap due a service? Especially the PS will underperform if so.
I just found the 252 to be quite full on and a bit too much being thrown at me. I find the 282 to be a real toe tapping listen, it’s not the highest in ‘HiFi’ performance…..not overly dynamic or have the biggest soundstage / depth etc, but it doesn’t need to do that. The SN3 just puts a smile on your face, it’s just an all out enjoyable listen, you really couldn’t want for more at it’s price point - I wonder when the SN4 will be out!
252 user, had a 282 previously. Give it a day or 2 and if it’s not doing it for you, feel lucky and save your money. No-one says you have to like a more expensive product.
Has to be factored in, hard to think either at their best if true. It might not be fair to dismiss the combination on that basis, but if you are really enjoying what you have then maybe you don’t change anyway!
When I moved from the 282 to 252 it took some time for me to appreciate the upgrade. The 252 was more refined and subtle detail, especially in well recorded jazz, was revealed. I’d say it was a more grown up sound but certainly not dull. I think a lot will depend on how it interacts with your system, room and personal preference.
Whilst I wouldn’t say that it took a long time to come on song, it did take me some time to notice and appreciate what was going on. Yes I did move to a 552 in the end, but the 252 / SC combination was really very very good.
If it doesn’t sound right in your system with your music, then it probably isn’t for you. There is no point in trying to convince yourself if it isn’t sounding good from the off .
Get a price from ClassA to setvice the SC. I’d expect something around the £500 mark, but let Darran decide that.
From personal experience of a 282 and 252 Salisbury service, id not bother again. Couldn’t hear a difference after. Yes, it gave reassurance, but at a price. And when my 252 did develop a fault, inside the warrenty period, my dealer enquired and was told my defect was not covered and thus was chargeable.
Having used a 252/supercap dr and 300 dr for several years I am surprised that you find it too full on compared to a 282. I have had a 282 in my system and found the 252 to be more refined with greater detail and control over the 282.
I would think that the 252 or Supercap it not giving its best good installation is also a critical factor.
You probably won’t be able to appreciate the 252 until the SC is serviced. I have a 252 with a 2015 SC and it had begun to hum, which it had never done before. It’s now back from a service and it no longer hums and the system sounds better. Service was £375 at Class A.
I went from 282/SC to 252/SC and immediately preferred the finesse of the 252.
I feel that the 252 takes 1-2 weeks to fully settle after being off for any length of time. In my view it’s likely that the main reason some people prefer the 282 over the 252, is because they don’t give the 252 long enough and are comparing it to a fully warmed up 282. I certainly don’t think 1 or 2 days is long enough to be able to make a proper judgement.
I moved from 282/twin Hi-caps to 252/SC to 552/555 over a number of years.
The 252 was quite a big step up from the 282. Very worthwhile, although the 282 was no slouch. Cleaner, more detailed and revealing. But if you can’t hear the gains or they are not for you stick with what you love.
One practical matter. The 282 has a good phono stage, the 252 needs an external phone stage for LP play so factor that cost in. Also cables matter.
On the step from 252 to 552, there was a smaller obvious gain until I added Super Lumina cables (I am running Kudos Titan 808’s active, 3x250DR) at quite great expense. They have taken a long time to run in but now the sound is really fabulous and super refined, detailed, musical, revealing; I am moulded to my my listening couch, and turning up all sorts of gems from deep in the archives!
I think most negative opinions regarding a 252 is 99% due to poor setup and its revealing nature reveals all the setup problems of the front end, which doesn’t happen to 282 or any lower level preamp.
First of all you should check the placement of your preamp, does it sit on or under other Naim components with huge transformer. If so it will sound brighter and peaky. Best would be sit under a turntable, SCDR put at the right side and without any components underneath (at least a level of distance)
Then check your Burndy and Snaic if they run closely together and touching and one point. If it doesn’t and foul with other cables the SQ will notably worse. Also heck if the mute button of record section is on, it improves the SQ. Then wait for 3-5 days from cold it will sound really good.
But then it will reveal all the issues of the frontend. Is the frontend (cd player or turntable) perfectly levelled? cable dressing? etc
I think the above isn’t necessary for 282 but it’s necessary for the 52 series preamp. Ready to get lot of fiddling before decide to upgrade, but if you do and do all the above you would be very happy with the result, far better than 282 and supernait imo.