Nac 552 or 252?

Exactly! I can’t imagine how HH, of all people, purports to give posting etiquette advice …

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Etiquette?..Swipe left.

As has been touched on before the essence of the argument is that it’s more about personal taste as none of them are bad per se (and certainly not turds).
I think the 252 needs you to have a eureka moment though.
When I bought 282 I was wowed by the drive and dynamics and I had to have one. When I lived with it I found it fatiguing at times. I tried to temper the sound by changing cables but it didn’t work for me so I auditioned the 252. Initial impressions were it sounded too polite. However I had it for a fortnight so I persevered. It dawned on me that while it wasn’t as intitially impressive as the 282 I was hearing things I’d never heard before as well as hearing everything else in a more musical, refined manner. I was also listening for longer. Rather than the “right that’s enough” with the 282 (enjoyable but tiring) I found it more of an “I’ll have to turn off now, it’s getting late”.
I’ve only heard the 552 in a demo room and while it had some real wow moments my 252 couldn’t possibly reach, it had enough of the forwardness of the 282 with some recordings that I felt would leave me struggling to love it long term.

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My feelings about 282 vs 252 exactly.

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Every time that I’ve heard the 552 in a system, it was very well setup and enjoyable. That was CDS3+552+300+SF Amatis anniversario and CDS3+552+500+karmas. Unfortunately we did not do a 552 and 252 comparison. The 552 owners however said it was a significant upgrade over the 252 and suggested that I changed my order from 252+300 to 552+250-2, but at the time that added a bit too much.

He’s not wrong though so there’s that.

Hi @Dunc . I am here to spend your money. :smile:
Just saw the new Exquisite Voro cartridge. It replaces probably the one you have.
IMG_2179

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Yes i knew it was coming out, but not much info on it yet.
Or where it will sit in the range or price

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3D printing has its ups but in this case it doesn’t look that premium IMO.

Ceramic, but i also have to say it looks strange.
Anyway back to the 552 or 252 debate

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A lovely 2018 552 is available for 13.5k.

We could trade nearly new 252/SCDR and it might be half that to upgrade.

Terrible comedy timing, car to be replaced and property to be fixed before sale.

One for 2024 :cry:

But not devastated, our dealer told us we’d need ND555 to make most of it, and that would mean binning our sublime NDX2/nDAC combo.

After the property sale one might see an upgrade in our future.

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Nope dont agree there my 552dr is vinyl mainly …and cds when im not sitting down and no way would i say that its lacking dynamics …

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I ran a 252/300 for years and would have happily stayed there if the opportunity to upgrade had not presented. A beautifully balanced combination with excellent timing, poise and grip. The jump to 552 was not incremental. It was transformational. The 300 is just fine with a 552, IMO a 250 will hold a 252 and a 552 back and never allow them to realise their potential.

The sheer effortlessness of the 552 in unraveling any material while preserving musical communication and detail is uncanny. It’s the difference between hearing something and hearing how the musician/performer did it. What the 252 and 552 have in common is that at their respective price points they are world class.

Your ears alone should be the judge.

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Is your system achieving what you hoped for it yet?

What has changed between the 2 iterations?

Age of units?

Racking, cables, DAC, Ethernet, positioning in the room?

Your ears!

Or does one component need servicing or checking?

Hope you find a way through.

Jim

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This is very confusing. The constant is the pre power combo. I now have a newer generation of Harbeth monitor speakers in the 30.2XDs but I’m convinced there is either an issue with my electricity or the monoblocks. The vice like grip and slam is a little subdued. Small difference that is having a large effect on my listening sessions.

I’ll also add that my last 552 was a well used unit whereas my new 552 only has around 80 hours of music playback on it.

Do you have a dedicated radial?

Any idea what might be up with your electrical environment?

How old are the 135s?

Could your dealer or Darran give them a once over?

No I don’t have dedicated supply.

The monoblocks have been serviced within the last few years but are currently with Naim for inspection.

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I’m sure you know this, but if you can domestically manage to install a dedicated radial it’s an extremely good value upgrade.

The base of the whole thing.

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I hope you will get it sorted out soon. I understand it can be frustrating as I am sure many people, including me would have experienced this phenomenon after making some changes or upgrading certain components in the system, and some time and effort will be required to restore order. I am currently experiencing the same thing after I made some changes to the system and I hope to get it all sorted out soon.

I agree it’s the SMALL differences that have a LARGE impact to the listening experience.

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