Yes, exactly that kind of 252/300 level in a box. Maybe with a streamer or riaa on board as other companies manage successfully as well. There are certain new ways to do so.
Well, as you mentione it, both the 222 and the 332 have huge transformator despite the traditions to keep those out. I guess Naim could (easelly) build one these days. But would it make sense for them?
But sorry for disturbing the 332 vs 500 thread. Go ahead.
Interesting question as to whether a freshly serviced 20-year-old 552 is the same as a factory-fresh one. And whether “tweaks” are made to current models. Any engineering change would require good reasons to change. Sometimes these are forced on Naim by a supplier or by poor experiences in operation.
The volume and balance pots were the Achilles’ heels of OC Naim NACs. NC removes these through a significant change in design, away from a pot.
If I ever changed from my 282 and two hicaps, then this thread is a useful alternative to the obvious 552 option.
SuperNova - I mean it has to be doesn’t it 
Currently listening to full 500 system…
Sounds not really broken … far from that.
The sound signature has to change from each generation to another … as our brain (mine does) that the newer the better is.
But in some cases (there were a few in my hifi history) on the long run the old stuff was more my taste.
I love Olive all over! Never got used to the OC. Only 500 has the Olive supergroove and the details of a new generation.
All what I read about NC is that it is different with lots of clean and detailed sound… maybe this overall detail is not my cup of tea… (as I am still on dull naca5 
)
From 282 there is 552 or 332!
It should be a matter of what sound character you prefer.
Bad is that 552 used and good in shape is similar or cheaper than 332/300 
And of course would definitely need to listen to both at home. Which makes a 2nd hand purchase of a 552 more difficult. It’s intresting that a 332/300 is being talked about as a credible alternative to a 552.
I had luck that I found a 552 for a steal at a dealer … with return option.
But 552 was a first second winner - it was settled day 1 that there is magic inside. Coming from fresh serviced 52/135.
That may be the key point. On eBay now I can see a 552 below £8k and a 552DR below £10k. In an ideal world, lots of 552 owners will swap, leaving dealers with PX 552s to shift (and thus dem), and anyone needing to re-sell a 552 that ‘only’ cost £7k may well see little loss on the sale because the big price drop has already happened.
The courageous owner could therefore buy a 552 on eBay, take it to a dealer who can match the rest of their system and compare it there to the NC option. If some dealers are not keen, that may tell us how they think a shoot-out will go.
I wonder how many new 552s are being sold at their full retail of £25k now?
£27k 
That will be not so much units - never has been. But some will buy - who wants to have the best sounding … but wait. This was in question
We should add the comparison
552dr/500dr vs 332/300/350 same box count … I vote for 552/500 … how should I do different
Not many. Plenty for sale at half retail same with the 500DR. Pick up a bargain if you can is my feeling!
I have used 52/135, 552/135, 52/500, 552/500 and a lot of other pre-power combinations based around both the 52 and the 552. Things like a 52/110 or a 552/150 for instance.
And let me tell you, that the 500 is much, much, MUCH better than the 135 in every single parameter you may wish to judge amplifiers. Once you have heard a 500 over the 135s there is literally no going back.
The 52->552 however is not such a crystalline decision. A 52/500 to my ears was better than the 552/135 (which was still a very fine combination). The 52 is more incisive, though less detailed, less nuanced and less 3-D than the 552, yet the 52 still has an an uncanny ability to present the rhythms and dynamic shadings in a way that is lacking in the 135s.
I would be very happy with a 52/500, and much less so with a 552/135.
Many years ago, Joel B used a 52/3x500/DBL active system, and although he could easily afford a 552 chose to stay with the 52.
I would reach out on a limb to say the best VFM Naim products include the 52 and the CDS1, but not the 552 or even the 500, especially when matched with the right speakers. For instance a 52/140 into some vintage restored Advents gave very litte up compared to much more expensive components.
That’s what I did - even it is very difficult in Germany. Small market for used 500! And if - too expensive.
OK - it is really better! But! The 135 had their own magic - especially when paired to 52. 552dr/500dr is a combination on its own. 500dr has much of 135 and very much more!
52 to 552 was also very clear for me - TIMING! All you say about 52 is true! Boogie at its best. Never had the combination 52/500 - but I will not sell either 52 nor late 135s 
If you prefer 52 to 552 overall (or at least think it different but not worse) even with 500, will you even bother hearing 332/300?
I ask as a fellow 52 owner, on my case with 300DR rather than 135 or 500.
Yawn. How dare people not want 8 to 13 black boxes on 3 Fraims plus 300 cables/interconnects in their living rooms! The very idea!
Now that truly is a lifestyle! Every part if it us therefore a lifestyle product.
Maybe missunderstanding
I very much prefer the 552 over 52. 552 brought so much timing and finesse and with 500 it was the combination with magic.
As the combination of 52/135 has magic.
Overall 552/500 is a massive step compared to 52/135.
I really like to hear 300nc some day. But I do not think it will make me sell my full 500 at once
If you like the 500 series sound and already have a 500DR I’d take advantage of the discounts and stick with what you know. If you’ve listened to the NC and like the new sound then it makes sense to transition to the 300 series.