It doesn’t read like he’s saying that. It reads like post-service, the 552 is the best it’s sounded since having the Rossini. Different meaning.
Dunc was mainly signing the praises of the 552 after that service in that quote.
And also saying how well it paired with his Rossini.
But actually the post I was thinking of was another one where he directly said (if I recall correctly) that he thought the 552 was probably making his system (inc. Rossini) sound so good.
But I don’t have time to find that quote. 
The original post. I feel Jim is relatively right.
*19d . DUNC: *
« I have run my 500dr direct from my rossini when my 552 went off to be serviced, I made up 2 cables to do this and used this set up for about 5 weeks.
To start with it worked fine, but it didn’t have the same sound as with the pre amp, it lost some dynamic performance and didn’t sparkle quite the same.
Now if I didn’t have the pre or had heard what they do together, then I could have easily lived with the sound in blissful unknown harmony, but I did know and couldn’t wait to get it back.
My advice would be, if you don’t want to run a pre amp, go and buy something other than a naim power amp, lots of great amps that will work on their own to choose from »
As I have said many times now.
If you only have the rossini, so don’t need more inputs.
Using a naim amp directly connected to it is not the best way, naim power amps need naim pre amps.
But if you are looking for a new pre amp and maybe then a better power amp to go with it to use with a rossini, then you should look at other options as I feel you can do away with the pre amp, lots of power amps that the dCS guys use and lots of info on ot all if you look, but true balanced just for starters is what you want, then it’s a case of matching it all up to what you like and want.
But my 552 was poorly and once it was serviced and DRed, obviously it sounds better, plus it ment I could run my rossini at 6 volts and 0.0 dB, which I think sounds best for dynamics, but due to the volume differences its hard to be certain on that
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Where did you get a rca → weird Naim XLR? Naim doesn’t offer one afaik. Is I custom? Which cable do you recommend?
Hi DB the OP is asking if the NAP 300 is good enough to pair the S1 with … surely not. You’re active 500s … big difference
I had some silver wired xlr’s to din, ones that can be used to connect 300 and 500 power amp, I just cut the din off and soldered some rca’s on, very easy to do
Sean Jacobs of CHC cables in the UK could make you a RCA to Naim wired XLR cable. He’s in the UK but they ship to the USA.
Sean is well known for his power supply designs but makes good cable from what I have heard.
I really wouldn’t bother wasting your money on some, as tried it and it’s not as good.
Either keep naim pre and power or get a different power amp only
Home demos do seem to have that effect, recurring occurrence
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It is a big difference and in context of my system it was an obvious silly upgrade.
I’ve heard it demonstrated at my Dealer swapping-out the 552 in a 552DR-500DR system for S1-500DR Passive - and that was an obvious huge upgrade with very addictive music-making.
Also did 552DR-300DR to S1-300DR - and it gave a large portion of the S1-500DR system.
I mean that the S1-300DR was enormously better than the 552DR-500DR system - no real comparison.
Silly price but it does show what the Pre was still limiting the 300DR.
I used to think that 552-500 was well-matched pair - but with DR versions I found the 500DR performance greatly raised and the 300DR was now a fair-matched system with 552DR.
But the next upgrade - once the Source is settled - could well be considered the S1 Pre rather than to 500DR with the 552DR.
But that is huge outlay and you really need a demo - and funds to hand before the demo!
I’d prefer S1Pre-300DR over 552DR-500DR by a large margin - but a lot more outlay to get that.
Yes - S1 Pre - 500DR is superb - and Active 3x500DR is …nice. 
…and no - I’ll never afford Active S1 Monoblocks! - and I have compared Passive full Statement vs hybrid-Active S1Pre-3x500DR and do prefer the latter, for me.
DB.
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My S1 is being shipped to my dealer Acoustica before the end of the week. Install probably next week. Exciting times!
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Many congratulations 
Thank you. I will post updates for those interested
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Even more reason not to speak to Pete in the near future 
though please do report your findings as I will be interested to hear 
I have seen a couple of others say the same thing - Franz in Austria on his DBLs for example
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I will Tim. I’m surprised that Pete didn’t offer you one 
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He’s already cleaned me out*
- as in 552, nd555, 555dr ps, 500dr and Kudos 808s all in the last 3 years
Yes he’s obviously good at that
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