Upgrade to 552 or 500?

Naim_The_Dragon · October 8, 2021, 8:54pm

Are those for the hifi, or whipping?

KJC · October 8, 2021, 9:19pm

I ran 52/500 for over 10 years before I managed to get a 552. No doubt the 552 is way better and more importantly, a better match for the 500, but I certainly loved 52/500 for all that time. Before that I ran 52/135’s. Also wonderful! In general and considering pure sound quality, I’d agree with the 552 first sentiments, but do just wonder, given the IB’s huge room, whether in this case the 500 might be called for first? Just a thought…

davidf · October 8, 2021, 9:55pm

True - it’s a very large room
My gut tells me 552
Both would be nice🥺

davidf · October 10, 2021, 1:20pm

So if a 500dr becomes available at good price u think the upgrade over 135s is def worth it?
Second hand 552s hard to come by

Geko · October 10, 2021, 1:56pm

Assuming your 52 and power supply are serviced and performing well I would certainly not hesitate getting the NAP500. Even the pre-DR’d 500 was a big jump on my 135’s. If you are lucky enough to get a DR’d 500 then even better. More natural, more effortless with an even bigger soundstage. Then just pace yourself for that 552 sometime in the future. One will come up eventually.

pumpexch · October 10, 2021, 2:23pm

Agreed. It’s the slippery slope. If you are happy, stick with it

frenchrooster · October 10, 2021, 5:39pm

Say me if I am wrong. The 52 is the older model of the 252? Right?
If it’s that, driving a 500 with a 252 is sub optimal. Driving 135 with 552 is more optimal.

anon23425299 · October 13, 2021, 2:09am

No, the 52 is a much better pre-amp than the 252 IMO. It’s day and night difference in performance.

Mike_S · October 13, 2021, 2:25am

Yes, that’s correct and the 252 was the top Naim pre until the 552 was released.

anon23425299 · October 13, 2021, 2:43am

I sill remember vividly the first time I heard the NAC 52 when it first came out at my dealer’s place in Crystal Palace in South London, I was deeply impressed.

Personally, I think a 282 even sounds better the 252, so if you can’t afford a 552, get hold of the 52 as soon as you can.

Bevo · October 13, 2021, 2:51am

So yellow -banana

Are you saying you have recently tried the 52 and 252 side by side in a blind test ?

Mike_S · October 13, 2021, 2:54am

I think the logic is that Naim launched an inferior product to the one it replaced. Sarcasm aside, I’ll grant that they would sound different.

Analogmusic · October 13, 2021, 2:55am

Is it that big a difference?

I doubt Naim make a product worse

@Richard.Dane @Naim.Marketing do you think the 252 sounds worse than a 52?

Maybe the 252 is more revealing of sources and it exposes the source more than a 52?

Then there’s the Supercap DR upgrade effect to take into account

anon23425299 · October 13, 2021, 3:00am

I had both 52 and 252 for a long period of time, by hindsight, using 252 was a mistake (for me), the music became too soft and dull, I bought it without listening to it beforehand.

Analogmusic · October 13, 2021, 3:01am

With Supercap Dr?

anon23425299 · October 13, 2021, 3:02am

yes and no. the supercap dr came much later.

One thing to note that my main source was still my trusty lp12 (and it still is) when I had the 52/252. I only jumped onto the streaming bandwagon only a few years ago.

Analogmusic · October 13, 2021, 3:13am

Fair enough. There’s been way too many feedback of 252 with exactly the same issue.

anon23425299 · October 13, 2021, 3:26am

I think the 252 is a compromised design (and I think you know what I mean).

Analogmusic · October 13, 2021, 3:44am

But so is a 282 ?

Mike_S · October 13, 2021, 4:43am

A 552 is a compromised design too. A bit of a reality check people.