It is indeed rather steeply priced, but looks like its restored to as close to new as possible. With such a tight price gap between it and 552, common sense again speaks for going with the latter
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Yes - it’s one of the last ones (black Burndy is very good! But no phono boards).
This will be the 52 if you like to stay with it! Will you?
I doubt, as you think about 552 and you own a 500. sooo?
I have seen it and I know that dealer well - the stuff he sells is in perfect condition. Bought some olives there.
On the other hand a 552, even if it’s older will be much better.
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Hi Drago,
that’s quite true. And because of that, input from people like you, who have heard both preamps, is much more valuable than mine.
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No input is more valuable than others! It’s only my opinion! I never had thought that the 552 is so good. And I am a doubting person.
And the volume adjustment via remote is miles ahead, so is ts performance- especially with 500
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I know the dealer as well and have bought many items there, including my 500 and, some years back, a 52 
. He’s a very reliable person.
The 552 DR is my old one, and I can assure you it was in absolutely top condition when I sold it last year. Very little moved - always on the fraim, no nonsens. I could buy it back now and would have 30% cash back. But I bought a C3P0 
The 552 DR is an older unit, but it was recapped and DR’d in 2017, so there are still around 8 years to go before the next service.
The price is not steep. It is the price a serious dealer takes for a late 52 which is in perfect condition and recapped. Ask TOMTOM 
The 552 DR is rather a total bargain.
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@drago yes the recap and late serial are huge upsides of the 52 as is the dealers repute - all that justifies the price as the expenses with older random 52 would amount to same total in the end. And regarding your 552, Im super glad and reassured to hear your input. My only reservation I have is the shipping method seller offers as its with regular mail, tracked ofc but Im a bit on the fence if thats safe in case of an expensive gem like the 552
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I can’t track what happened to the units after I sold them, but I can assure you once again that they left my house in pristine condition and were delivered by car, through a friend, directly to the new owner.
I understand your concerns. Would it be possible for you to pick them up in person? I don’t know if you’re far away from the destination?
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Oh Im pretty conivnced he was treating them well - good hands. I am Warsaw and unit is in Sweden. I could fly in to collect and take the ferry back to PL with the unit. But its 3h drive to the ferry 7h on the sea, 8h to pick up and back to harbor, another 7h and 3h drive home. Almost 30h trip. Or 24 if part flying
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As long as people stick to what they know and declare assumptions and conjectures as such, I agree. Regarding the OPs question, I know that the 52 was the top of the olive line, like the 552 for the OC, who is selling a recapped 52 in Germany and that my single purchase from that seller went smoothly. Besides the latter, you know all of this, with your personal experience on top.
What we don´t do for love ;)…I took that ferry once. Nice tripp, but the car ride indeed is a long journey. To bad, that he is not willed to send by courier 
No way to persuide?
Where have you found them? Can’t see them anywhere in the usual sites here.
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That’s very interesting. When looked back to JV’s old forum posts he had 52+2*BD250 in his office. It seems to me 52+old amps would be a very interesting topic.
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We need every 552 to stay in the country please. May be OK since you’re serious 
If he could arrange it so the boxes are strapped to a half size pallet, that would be rather safe with some extra care.
With that said I actually did see a 552 on a pallet where the fork lift had run the fork straight in to the 552 box. It’s crazy, I saw the pictures at the importers office, the very rare occasion of a 552 sold in Sweden and it was jammed like that 
The 252 / 300 is a lovely balanced pre power solution - I loved mine.
When I went olive to classic I found the classic sound was more “mature” and more consistent in performance compared to olive (52/135/cds2/nat01) (I seem to recall my olive system would have great days and just ok days)….
The 552 is an excellent preamp but there is a lot of hyperbole about it. I found a local used 552 for a good price a good few years ago and had it dr and serviced - its is a great pre amp full stop.
On reflection I could have lived with the 252 quite easily but the local opportunity came up and I have no regrets.
If you have a good deal on a used 552 then worth taking but keep in mind it won’t bring world peace or feed the world! It’s just an excellent pre amp.
Gary
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It may not bring world peace, but mine brings me peace while the world goes to hell in a hand cart.
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Indeed, very true!
So what is your point with scaring people?
Delivery of items became a kind of lotery these days, just one thing is for sure: It s expensive!