I presently have the Naim 300 DR / NAC 252 superCap. I have the opportunity to buy a used NAC 552 non DR/ 552 PS 20 years old. I was told it will elevate the SQ even though the 552 is not a DR. I would like to hear others opinion. Rest of my gear is Linn Klimax DSM with Organik Dac, Focal Sopra 3 speakers, Pair of JL f112 v2 sub. Considering the cost of new NAC 552 DR will be 4 times more than the Used NAC 552 and also Naim does not upgrade to DR anymore. Is it worth doing this?
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Have you considered service and support issues should the need arise? I am not a fan of buying used equipment unless you are purchasing from a dealer?
for what its worth, I had the same 250/300 combo and about 6 months ago was looking at doing something similar…pre owned 552/psu combo. I was also a little concerned about servicing (it took 6 months just to get a recap on my supercap) so instead I auditioned and went for the new 300 series (332/300psu+2*350’s)…incredible upgrade and got a reasonable discount and trade on my old gear. if your hearts set on the 500 series sure but if you can, go audition the new series…the white and green logos do sit nicely together…good luck as either way you’ll get a nice move upwards.
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Given the age, factor in a naim service on the 552 and power supply.
When i bought my 2002 252 last year for a low price i added in a Salisbury service. It still meant a serviced/as new 252 for less than ÂŁ2200. I am happy with the resulting sound, having moved from a serviced 282.
Get a 552DR, it’s better and shouldn’t need a service as they came out around 2017. If you get non DR, you will always wonder what the DR version is like.
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When was the home demo of Statement scheduled, Dan?
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I would not get a new 552DR. Buy a used one. I don’t know where you live @zoeroc but even if you get one used and pay import taxes it will be worth it over on DR version.
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I have heard Statement a few times but not at home! I have no intention of getting one as I don’t have the funds at present!
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I did attend a Naim evening where they did 552 and S1 comparison - no doubt the S1 brought a lot more to the party….. but don’t think I could ever drop that kind of money on a hifi box!
Yes I did. Focal Naim Canada has terrible customer service. That is my biggest worry
The new series is incridibly expensive. I am looking at pre owned.
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If I lived in UK I would certainly buy a preowned, I’m in canada and does not have good service, My local dealer is offering me a pretty good deal to trade in. I will consider if he resolves my issue to add JL CR-1 crossover. Many Naim owners have hum issue adding CR-1 , very hard to find Naim 3 pin that looks like XLR, , not balanced ( For NAP 300) to XLR or RCA .
I appreciate all your response. One of the reason I was wanting to upgrade, I have a pair of JL F112 subs . My speakers are Focal Sopra 3, they still play full range down to the roll off 33Hz, the subs also play the low frequency, there is overlap in the bass region, SQ is not I want. By introducing the CR-1 ,I will have cleaner mids and treble. But Naim Architecture is strange they don’t like to add any other gear between them. More over their propriety connectors makes it very hard to find interconnects ,if you find one it is exorbitantly priced.
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