Well what else they gonna do? Keep the new power amp under the bed?
I think the point is that a 52 and a 500 may be a good match, but not one I have any experience of.
Fair point - a good match, certainly ā¦ but perhaps not the best allocation of resources nowadays.
Agreed.
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I would have thought that your 135s would pair brilliantly with the 552.
- No doubt whatsoever
The 52/500 was Naimās top of the line amplification for a lot of years. Mine is very goodāgood enough that I would rather spend money on travel than on upgrading. Reason would have suggested that I upgrade my 52 to a 552 before getting the 500, but the price on the 500 was too good to pass up.
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What a pointless comment
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500 and 552 we not launched together?
Maybe 52 with 500 would be a not bad match, but probably 552/ 135 better.
No, the 500 came in 2000 and the 552 in 2002 so you could say that the 500 was designed to go with the 52 although I suspect that there were prototype 552ās around when the 500 was being developed.
I think the 500 was the first item to come in the new casework.
Given the product history thereās no doubt that the 52/500 would be a good match but I strongly suspect that a 552/135ās would sound better. 135ās are teriffic.
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Thanks Tricky, good point.
552 without hesitationā¦
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I was running a 52 and a pair of 135ās for years and was really fortunate to be offered a NAP500 to buy, so thought Iād try it to see what all the fuss was about. Took me about ten minutes listening before I parted with my money. It was a couple of years before I found a suitable 552. I never felt the 500 overwhelmed the 52 or that the 552 was loads better. Yes, sure it was better but donāt underestimate what a POTS8 serviced 52 is capable of.
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thank you all
Sounds like 552 is favored by most.
I will think about but as mentioned right now my system is providing me great enjoyment.
David
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I got a 552 first (replacing 52). Then nd555 (replacing NDS). Then swapped a 300dr to 500dr on my new 808s. The 808s really like the 500 over the 300 but I donāt know if they would like it as much without the 552 (and nd555) first
Ideally try before you buy so you actually know - but the 552 is rather splendid, and it sounded very good with NDS and a 300, so i donāt think it would cause difficulties in your system (though thereās only one way to find out)
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The 52/500 combo is fantastic. Itās not the same sound as the 552 but it holds its own. I recently spent time with a friend running 52/500 into Klipsch Cornwalls, LP12 with Lyra Olympos SL was the source. Sounded outstanding. He then swapped out the 500 for a vintage Fisher tube amp that looked brand new. It was amazing how good the 52/Fisher combo sounded, tonally very similar to the 500 but with lots of ātubeā fun. Great system.
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The point - (perhaps made flippantly - admittedly :-)) was that although the 52 was originally paired up with the 500 - that doesnāt mean anyone ever thought it was a āperfectā match. It was simply the best they could use at the time. The 52 was soon to be superseded as the reference ā¦ by 252, 552 and S1. Personally Iād take 552/135ās over 52/500, and having owned each of these models from new, I think Iām entitled to comment. Whether you agree or not is up to you.
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To be honest I think itās too close to call? Iām sitting here listening to my 552 with 135ās whilst my 500 is back at the factory, and it isnāt doing what the 500 does. However, I am driving DBLās, so that could be a big factor.
Interestingly, I was also using DBLās. Passive and Active modes.
552 over 500 would be my choice. 552 brings so much to the table.
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