Good morning everyone, I’d like to ask you a few questions:
• When a 252 preamp hasn’t been used for at least a month, if not longer—I mean the preamp, not the supercap already in use on the 282—how long does it take for the 252 to reach its peak performance?
• When the supercap in question (not the DR) was recapped six months ago, it has always been used as a double hicap on the 282. If connected to the 252, does it need to be broken in on the new power supply tracks? If so, what are the break-in times?
In short, I bought a used 252 from 2009, which has undoubtedly been out of service for a few months. I already had a 2009 supercap recapped six months ago and used it on my 282. Today I switched that supercap to the 252.
• How long will it take for the 252 supercap combo to reach peak performance?
• Do the devices just need to be plugged in to break in, or do you need to play music?
• What are the effects of breaking in?
I know these topics have been covered in many posts I’ve read and studied, but in this specific case, I’ve never found a summary of the questions posed. Thanks to anyone who can help me and give me feedback.
‘Cold’ but well-used products should sound right after a day or two at most I think. My system sounds fine a few hours after a (rare) power down. Bit thin initially but soon on song.
Need to be plugged in and powered up. Don’t have to be playing, but why wouldn’t you?
Incidentally has the 252 ever been serviced? You can ask Naim if they have a record of doing it. Might be worthwhile after 16yrs.
Half an hour if you are starting at room temp. Maybe a little longer if you are putting it in your system after being in a cold car for example. Others will say longer but that’s not my experience.
Interesting, in comparison with the 282 that is not what I would have expected. The 282 is often described on the Forum as a quite energetic and lively. I haven’t heard one to be fair.
I replaced a 52 with a 252/Scap initially. I found it a little flat and smooth, lots of extension top and bottom compared to the 52 but not quite as engaging. It was only when I did the Scap DR upgrade that it really clicked for me. It was then very good.
Two thoughts. First tell us about your source and speakers. Maybe the limitations of these (especially the source) are now more apparent with a better pre-amp? Second I’d think about servicing for the 252 before anything else.
The 252 gets mixed reviews on the Forum (the search will throw up these) but ‘tiring’ would not be the word I would have used with mine, even with the non-DR Scap. I had it a fair few years before getting a 552.
Definitely shouldn’t be tiring - I found the 252 anything but. Check the burndy and snaic and ensure they are hanging loose and not touching anything. The 252 can be sensitive to burndy dressing.
Another thing I noticed, it seems to me that the sound becomes less harsh, more relaxed after about an hour of listening, maybe even a little more. I imagine that should be necessary 10-15 minutes but an hour is too much.
I’ve had CDS3, CD555 and NDX2 (briefly, but with 555PS) and now ND555 with 252 and 300, so like others I am surprised by what you’re hearing. With the CDS3 I originally had a 282 plus the SuperCap, then the 252, and the change was certainly not as you described. I found the 252 considerably more refined than the 282 but with more detail and insight. I bought the 252 second hand and then after a few years when (I think) it was around 12 years old I had it recapped but I cannot say that there was any revelatory change afterwards. And now my SuperCap needs a service!
Never heard of anyone calling the 252 tiring, especially after moving from a 282. Most 252 haters call them dull and boring and certainly not tiring. You will be hearing a lot more of the music coming through, but that should not be tiring.
It could be due to poor cable dressing or tension in the burndies as others have pointed out.
With the bundy in place mark the top of it (a paint pen, a sharpie or a sticker will work). Power the system down and remove the burndies. Like you’d hold the handlebars of a bicycle, hold the burndy out in front of you, by the connector at each end. With the marks you made facing upwards and the cable looping down in front of you, gently swing the cable back and forth to remove any tension. When you connect them back up you shouldn’t need to rotate the burndy connector, it should just slot straight in.
Thank you for your advice, it’s incredible how much difference does it make not to let Burndy and Snaic touch. in short, peace, calm and underlying silence. I also remove stress to Burndy even if I don’t know if I performed the procedure correctly. Now all is very much better.
