Hi Lyndon - you make some valid points. I bought my 202 from a private seller on fleabay but my other auction purchases have been from dealers. I must say I would be nervous about spending £10k or thereabouts on a privately advertised item and would certainly try and speak to the individual concerned as you did. There is a dodgy looking listing for a 552 on the site as we speak.
Your comments about Naim reliability are true though. The only problem I have had was blown output transistors in my NAP 160 many, many years ago, and this was caused by a faulty speaker drive unit rather than an intrinsic Naim fault. Buying second hand does not trouble me, provided there is some provenance.
Tug - are you in the UK? If you are, keep waiting and find a used one from either a dealer or specialist. I got both a 552 and 500 from Lotus Hifi based in Surrey (Richard Morris). He regularly gets in 552’s etc as he sells super hi-end Tidal and Vitus audio products. Worth giving him a call and saying your on the look out for one. Not pushy and will keep an eye out for you. Don’t know timescales but will guarantee getting a good one and obviously save a small fortune at this level. I saved 57-58% of RRP.
I have just part exchanged my 2016 552DR with a well known dealer in Chester. I guess its available as we speak and can confirm it was a sweet sounding example in mint condition.
If buying a 552 more than a few years old, I would check it’s service history, and I personally would check whether it s done by Naim. I am informed if Naim do a full service, where possible they will bring it up to new specification, including design improvements that have been introduced since launch.
I understand there is one to do with improved automation reliability, but I suspect there are some others that may tweak SQ.
Also check the 552 PS… did that have a full service in addition to having DR added… again the service history should confirm.
You can obtain the service history from the serial number. At the 552 level I would only use Naim servicing myself unless you very familiar with the 552 product and know what a prime one sounds like.
If this is too inconvenient or raises queries on the 552, then I would strongly look at the new 252 DR.
I learnt the hard way once with a pre lived CDS3 that had been serviced, but not by Naim.
Well after the rollercoaster ride I had with a freinds 552, I would say 100% get one, but make sure its serviced and in top health, that probably means buying from a dealer I guess. Or buy a non DR’ed one and send it off for a service by naim themselves and get it DR’ed at the same time, that is what I am doing, as I found a very nice private 552 for sale at a great price, which sounding great and much better than the 52 I was using at the time, and it will be later this year serviced, Dr’ed and checked over by naim, so I then know all is fine.
If you already have a desire for the 552, then getting the 252 will only end up costing you more money when you trade it in, plus the 552 sounds delicious and really is most people’s end game and brings the most out off your kit.
I sold my 252/ supercap DR and bought a used 552 (non DR) - after a bit of a journey - got it serviced by Naim (couldn’t afford DR at the time) - got it back and it was horrible - assumed it was burn in phase.) Got my dealer round for a listen and he agreed it was horrible so it went back to Naim and they did some further work on it, went through painful burn in phase but now it sounds peachy.
Have been debating DR but it sounds so marvellous I haven’t bothered. Shame Naim have stopped DR’ing unless you have a service but hey ho.
Also don’t assume because it was DR’d it doesn’t need a service - the low risk approach is buy from a dealer who can support you.
5 months into the same swap with 300DR to 500 unDRed also. They were serviced late 2016. Malia and Boris Blank’s Convergence right now sounding sublime. I just can’t imagine it getting better than this.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
BTW that’s another 552 vote. 252DR can’t touch this.
Yes, good shout. My used 552/500 had the original invoices supplied from Infidelity which had both service and DR including shipping cost to Naim. The original purchaser was more than happy to keep these with the units when he traded them to Lotus… gives peace of mind.
Hi Malla - Thanks for the information, which might prove to be very useful. I am in the UK and would certainly prefer to buy from a dealer when the time comes.
Hi Steve - interesting. If it is the dealer I am thinking of then he tends to sell his trade-ins on eBay periodically, often several items at a time. I will keep my eye open.
Hey @Gazza as crazy as this sounds I bought a brand new one! I bought a 500 DR and a couple of 555PS as well and wanted them all to be the same age and have have full warranty etc. Service interval will all be the same etc etc.
Given that there is no issue with the seller/dealer and no serious cosmetic issue, I would go with the S/H 552 anytime, and I would give it a good service. The 552 will kill your itch for upgrading.
S-I-S is spot on. Call the seller, check him out, have a chat about Naim stuff, see if he is knowledgeable about all things Naim. If he is a genuine 552 owner, it will show.
Just re-read SiS’s post and realised he was suggesting to call Naim to check out the authenticity of a Naim product. Yes, I have always found Naim responsive on the phone.
But still always grill a seller purporting to be a genuine Naim owner, particularly a top notch Naim model like a 500 series. Insist on paying by cash on collection in person, even if it involves a long journey.
If you take precautions, there should be no issues buying Naim online.
