New (to me) 252 landed - wow

Managed to source a 2009 NAC252 over the weekend and got a great PX deal on my SN3. Yes it’ll need a service but I’ve accounted for that in the negotiations.

It’s arriving tomorrow and I’m excited but nervous at the same time - can it really be much better than my SN3 ?!?

Partnering with the following so I’m hoping it’s in good company:
SCDR
250DR
Kudos Titan 606
Zenith Mk3
Rega P8
Chord Qutest

I’m guessing that my Qutest is the weaker point in the chain now so will start to do some research on a possible replacement. I’d love a Dave but they’re so expensive.

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The 252 is a super pre, I’m sure you’ll love it.
Had mine for 20 years now and not had the urge to upgrade.

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It will be s super. Trust me, it will gel with your NAP 250 and Kudos 606. You will find you notice the improvements gradually over a period of several weeks. Congratulations on a great upgrade.

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You’ll be needing a phono stage too.

Very considerable improvement, enjoy, great amplifier.

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You’re in for a treat . The 252 is an amazing pre amp. I’ve had mine for nearly a year now and love it. It was huge upgrade from the 282. Enjoy!

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Great stuff. I went from a SN2 to a 252/250 and it was a massive uplift. It’s a real sweet spot in the range.

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I am sure you will love it… in many ways I found the 252DR the best NAC I owned… natural and free flowing without undue forwardness. I did later go from the 252 to 552 and in many ways I regretted it.

The one gotcha with the 252 I found it super fussy on positioning … I placed on the top shelf of full fat Fraim for it to sound its best. Its SCDR less fussy, but still on full fat Fraim.

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And speaker cables, interconnects etc…

I have 252DR with Kudos 606 and I’m really satisfied. You’ll be surely the same! Great piece of Naim Kit!

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Thanks for all the positive feedback.

It’s just arrived but freezing cold so going to leave it in box for a day until it’s up to room temperature.

A question though on rack positioning please - should I move my Zenith down a level so the 252 is at the same level as the SCDR. Or should I move the 250DR up a level and swap it with the SCDR.

Current layout (top down):

LEFT:
-TT
-DAC / Phono / Tablet
-Zenith
-252 (currently SN3)

RIGHT:
-Cans / Tube amp
-SCDR
-250DR

Image for references:

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I would put it under the turntable if it is possible to move tablet somewhere else. DAC and phono then in the bottom if cables reach to phono. If not, then those to middle and Zenith to bottom.

I believe like that the preamp would get less possible impact from the bigger psu’s.

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Thanks - I will have a shuffle around at the weekend when I’ve got half a day to fettle and cable dress.

All plugged in to test but need to have a move around as per @Vorsanteri advice above.

I’ve had it playing all morning to get things warmed up and I’ve just sat down for a proper listen and all I can say is WOW.

What a difference compared the the SN3, everything is so much more in your face, layered with much more texture (god I sound like Darko). It’s really bought the Kudos 606’s alive.

Had the following on so far which I know inside out, all sounding great:
TOOL - Lateralus
AinC - Unplugged
Suzanne Vega - An Evening of New York Songs and Stories
Roger Waters - Lockdown Sessions

I’m going to enquire with NAIM / Class A on service history as it sounds great to my ears and the NAIM logo LED is nice and brightly illuminated.

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Don´t worry so much about service for the Preamp,it last much longer than Power amps and Power supplys.

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The 252 should be fine for the foreseeable future. The SC may need a service in a couple of years if its the same vintage.

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One thing I did forget though is lack of headphone jack.

I have the following amp that I do use for headphone listening but can I just check what I’m doing is correct please:

252:
Connect suitable DIN to RCA cable (with OUT pins configured correctly) to [TAPE] socket

Tube Amp:
Connect DIN to DCA cable to [Input 1] > Volume control using this amplifier (not the 252)

I know @Richard.Dane is an expert on this.

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Congrats on the NAC252. It is fantastic!

I loved my NAC252, SCDR and NAP250DR.

I previously had a NAC52, SC, 2x NAP135.

Now I have NAC552DR and NAP500DR.

Each step took years and was wonderful.

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Enjoy! I love mine and very little, if any, interest in ever changing it.

I had mine from brand new and it took a few months to settle down, but ever since I have been very happy.