Upgrade advice 52 or 552 or Radikal 1 Urika upgrade to Lp12

I’ve got the same cart and it’s very good. Like you I had Goldring 1042 before hand. I had the Goldring for years and replaced the stylus quite a few times. I prefer the Dynavector 10x5. The Dynavector P75 Mk4 phonostage is meant to be good as well.

The other option I have is my Nac 52 has K boards fitted. So could fit appropriate MC cart that way and loose a box.

I’ve always been happy with Reflex M phono stage. I think it’s still good after quite a few years with it.

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I would stay put given your system. I think it’s well balanced. How far do you go with these things?

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Cheers, sage advice.

It’s all balanced at the moment, but I have dark thoughts about NC gear :smiley:

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I think you are hitting your mental limiter here which is generally what happens to me in a similar situation. Things can run away with themselves when you start spending and realise you need to add this then that (A bit like a building project don’t you think? :joy:). My view would be leave your phono solution as is for now and maybe move forward with a used Radikal1. I only say this because its not too far off the price of a new Lingo 4 and this is the route I would have gone if used Radikal were available at that price when I went Lingo 4. You’ll probably forget all about sub/arm and cartridge with Karousel and even more so with a Rad.

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I’ve heard all the NC gear and it’s a very different sound. Benefits are lower noise floor and extreme clarity, particularly with 300 series. Have heard 222 250 system and 332 300 333 300 2 x 350 system a few times now.

The 300 series is very very good. Very clear and quite brilliant.

I have just done a big series of upgrades on my systems on all fronts and am very happy with it. Had 4 boxes repaired or serviced, purchased ND5XS2 used as streaming transport into NDS as DAC, 52 and new Focal Sopra 2s. 4 powerlines. And now the Karousel on LP12!

I think that’s enough.

Maybe my ideal system would be (all used):

Linn Klimax LP12 level

552 DR
500 DR
ND555
555DR PS

If I did that would move CDS2 and XPS2 to another system.

If I went 300 series which would be new

Linn LP12 Klimax
332
300
333
300
2 x350s

I think you can get better deals on 500 series based system now than the 200 or 300 series which would have to be mainly purchased new. I don’t think there would be much in it with above two systems.

I would also consider going DR and change out my 135s for 300DR or 500DR and change Supercap 2 for Supercap DR.

Upgrades are limitless if you are prepared to spend the money.

But, will it make you happy? Or do you end up chasing a dream? When is enough just that? Or what I have found is it always makes me happy :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

I am taking a day off after a scan and dropping LP12 of at Audio T. Enjoying listening to ND5XS2/NDS/555PS through NAS. Sounding epic.

My dark side on upgrades is lowering the noise hence interest in DR and the 300 series.

I think with what I have maybe this would do for starters IF I went down 300 series route:

Already have:

Current LP12

ND5XS2
NDS
555PS

To buy:

332
300
2x 350s

Then sell:
52
Supercap 2
2 x 135s
CDS2
XPS2

Then change out ND5XS2, NDS and 555PS in time. Note these are just thoughts. The kit is so expensive right now. Prices will come down in time and in 5 years time will be more available at reasonable prices. And of course the new 500 NC will be out then. Nice to dream about things!

What components were you thinking of NC?

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I think you’re spot on Paul. I’m leaving it a few months. Am sorting out wills and a remortgage on a rental property I have and extending the lease, so lots of other costs at moment.

The Radikal 1 pops up every now on then. So maybe something to get in the new year.

The phono stage and cart can wait. The cart still sounds good.

Tbh, the LP12 sounded very good beforehand. The Karousel is raved about on here so I thought with Audio Ts fantastic offer. Would be rude not to. They shaved a few hundred pounds off.

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I’d like to rationalise my streaming setup. So the NSC222. But I can’t also afford the NAP, so would have to go Olive something, probably an olive 250.

However the NSC all feels a bit compromised with its inputs, for my purposes at least, I’d have to use the 8 pin DIN for my TT, and the RCAs for my CD5.

I did think of running the NVC TT instead of my GS into the NSC, allowing me the option of MC at least.

Then thoughts go to the NAC332, whose inputs are a bit more flexible, though is silly money for me.

I end up back where I started. I suspect long term I’ll wait to see what NC integrateds turn up. Pick up a decent used NDX2, probably go for any new NC Supernait, and call it a day :wink:

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I would wait it out. The 222 didn’t leave me thinking I want one. Wasn’t that bowled over by 250NC either. Look they are very very good. But I don’t think they are better than my system.

A 52 with my streaming should be better than 222. But has 5 boxes!

The 332, 333 and 350s did. I think they are better than what I have and they should be. Possibly my NDS, ND5XS2 and 555PS equals a 333 plus 300. But think the 300 is a bit better somehow. The 333 and 300 gives the ND555 and 555PS a close call.

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On the subject of whether to upgrade a 52 to 552, the price of a used non-DR 552 is moving closer to the price a used 52/52PS so the swap cost is getting smaller all the time. I not considering it at this stage but in a couple of years I might think about going for it. The question is, whether it’s worth it for me with a non-DR. The DR version is not likely to be an option due to the additional cost.

I prefer the Nac 552 non DR,better boogie factor.

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Well we all hear things differently, very happy with my recent upgrade to 552DR from the original version!

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Just popped into my head just now so I thought I’d mention it. I remember in the past some talk about reversing the sleeves of the CB 135s so they matched better with an Olive setup. The rear of the sleeves are dark. Just wanted to get that out there. It’s just an aesthetic thing but you might like the idea.

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I think the aesthetics of my system are a bit of a mish mash tbh. With CB, Olive and Classic boxes plus some non Naim boxes.

I think if the 135s had proper Olive fascias and power buttons then system would look a bit more unified. But doing it half way would still leave it a mish mash.

I’m okay with it as it is. I think if anything would look better with all Classic boxes.

But then potentially might end up with some NC as well.

Alot of systems on here look good when they are all one style. Mine certainly isn’t!

£8000 for 552 and £10000 for 552DR. You might get £3500 trade in for 52 with Supercap or 52PS. Still leaves alot of money to find.

Hi Dan,
Your setup looks absolutely fine to me. Much better than some earlier pictures I’ve seen where all was along the wall. All in all if it sounds great, who cares what it looks like

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Good luck with that, Dan. I’ve been using Audio T in Brighton quite a lot recently - buying a NAIT 50, getting my NAT-01 tuner serviced, with not quite so much luck trying to revive my CDS 2’s ‘dead’ transport mechanism.

I have also had Peter Swain of Cymbiosis this week to set up my ‘second’ LP12, with ARO, Keel, Armageddon, Goidring-rebuilt Linn Troika .

Both have offered exemplary service and assistance, and I am very grateful to them both - hence this post to thank them publicly.

If you’re near Brighton and fancy a listen and a decent cappuccino or tea, do get in touch.

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Sorry to hear that. I hope my CDS3 has a few more years in it before it gives up. I thought there was no issue to service a transport on the CDS2 unlike a CDS3 with a VAM1250 transport :thinking:

Oh no! Is it beyond repair now Graham? If so, gutted for you.

There were no CDS2 mechs left in the UK, but a cache was unearthed in, I think, South America.

But no luck with the one which Naim fitted to my player, sadly, so I’m casting around for a solution. A CDS3 would be the obvious solution, but apparently they’re rare beasts now as well.

My lovely 35 yo LP12 soldiers on, and I got a brand new, second LP12 this week from Peter of Cymbiosis.

There’s a lesson there somewhere!

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Time for a third party repair? Or a different brand of CD player? When mine becomes beyond repair, I’ll be looking at other brands. As good as Naim have been in keeping our/their players going and in tip-top condition, I fear that their day has come.

Sorry yours didn’t work out well.

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