Guj,

I think the new refernce series in general does the hi-fi stuff such as imaging much better than the olive series. They are more rounded and balanced products with fewer compromises sound wise, while still retaining the traditional Naim strengths of dynamics and timing. The better balanced aspect is perhaps a double-edged sword for some people - they have less of the historical Naim character simply because they ARE better balanced and less compromised. This upsets some people. I think you will really need to have a listen to see which you prefer in your system. One observation I would make is that a change from a 52 to a 252 is at best a bit of a sideways move. As you have the 300, you would perhaps be better off aiming for the 552, then you really would hear a difference!

Peter

I would always pick a NAC 252 over a 52 and feel you are losing something of the NAP 300's potential quality using it with the 52.

However - if I owned a 52 and was happy with it in this combination - I would probably hold off and contemplate the impossible - 552.

quote:

IMO the 252, paired with CDS3 and 300 sounds very natural and unforced

Or perhaps a little dull.

Nigel

quote:

Or perhaps a little dull.

You must be missing your 552 Nigel

This far I understand that I should stay with my CDS3, 52 and 300 and a 252 would just be a sidestep and not a real jump forward

guj
I am in the same position as you - CDS3, 300, 52.
I would'nt call a 252 a sideways move, its just not the great leap most Naim upgrades are. Sure you get much more functionality with a 252 but the sonics are really the more round earth sound of the new gear as against the slightly harsher upper frequencies of the Olive stuff. Only you can decide on the value judgement of this.

Ideally I would like to skip the 252 and go straight from 52 to 552 - I do not know if this will ever become an economic possibility.

I must have had a poor 52 and bought an exceptional 252!

With respect guj, this far you understand nothing.
You have been led to believe, but you don't know. The only way to know for sure if it's an upgrade or a sidestep is to listen for yourself and then decide.
Please let us know what you think when you have done this.

Regards,
Steve O

quote:

Originally posted by Steve O:
With respect guj, this far you understand nothing.
You have been led to believe, but you don't know. The only way to know for sure if it's an upgrade or a sidestep is to listen for yourself and then decide.
Please let us know what you think when you have done this.

Regards,
Steve O

right on steve.

I´ll tell you why I can´t do that. I live in Sweden and there is nowhere you find a 252 in the shop, thats why I am trying to get information this way.

Why not take a weekend in London and listen there?

I've heard that Ljudtema have a nice setup in their Office in Göteborg. Worth checking out.

I have owned both NAC52 and NAC252, and therefore used both for extended periods over many months in the the same listening room with the same sources, and using the same Supercap. I think this is a (the only?)reasonable way to make a comparison between the preamps.
Because of the obvious losses involved in trading in used gear, the change from 52 to 252 was an expensive step. It was completely justified because with the 52, my system never, ever, sounded half as good as it does with the 252.
As has been stated here many times, the 52 and 252 have a totally different sonic signature. The 252 is just much easier to listen to, without any loss of detail or musical involvement. I wish I had changed to a 252 much sooner.
In my view, auditioning such an important piece of kit for your system, can't really be done in an hour or two at the dealer. You need to have it at home for a week at least.

Hi guj,
I know some members on this forum feel, like you, that because of their geographical location they have no alternative than to buy blind (or deaf I suppose in this context), but it is not something I would ever consider doing, unless I was pretty sure I could sell it on again without loss.
There is a lot of good advice on this forum and occasionally some where I check to see if it's April 1st all over again. In this thread you have the full spectrum of replies. Without hearing for yourself how do you decide which post to trust?
Your own ears should be the only thing you trust when upgrading.
Regards,
Steve O.

Rockingdoc,

while I’m rather a Classicdoc :-) you have convinced me and I think I get the picture. I won’t update my 52/Scap, I’ll wait for an acceptably priced 252 instead.

graphoman

Hi

It might well be worth checking with your nearest International distributor here to see if you could try a NAC-252 at home for a week. It is a dem I have done many times (52 versus 252) and the spilt is around 50/50, much like the posts so far, for some the 252 is clearly better, whilst for others it is viewed as a sideways move.

As others have said, much depends upon whether there is the remotest possibility of stretching the budget longer term to the 552, then I think you would find that there is universal agreement upon the way to go, if that is out of the question then you have to find some way to get a 252 home for an extended listening period as it will take a little while to settle down, warm up and give of its best.

You could perhaps offer to pay for the unit, with an agreement for a refund if it is not for you minus perhaps the carriage charges.

Just a thought

Warmest regards

Norman
Partner - UHES

Good advice. In my experience nearly all dealers will suddenly fall over themselves to give you any amount of gear for very extended loans IF you make a firm commitment (i.e. cash)to buy something/anything expensive in the end.

It seems the result of the 52/252 comparision can be reduced to the usual taste split in preference of olive/classic. I do know these sound characteristics in CDP and amp where I clearly prefer the new ones and I think all I liked in olive were nothing but a warm curtain of electronic distortion.

I’m not in the position to make the comparision myself with pre amps but if the difference is no more and no less but just of the same kind then I’ll ready to buy a SH 252 “blind” – as soon as I’ll have the means to do so.

To call it a side step has no relevance since buying a 552 should be shifted to my next life.

graphoman

I think an important consideration in whether you go for a 252 is what your front end is, and whether it is going to be somewhat compromised by a 52. In other words if your CD/TT excells in top end refinement and subtle soundstaging you're probably going to be sacrificing that to some degree with a 52.
For many Naim owners this won't be an issue, but then they wouldn't have bought a source which excels in these areas anyway.
With my TMS I definitely don't want to be missing out on its more 'round earth' capabilities, even though pitch, rhythm, and timing accuracy, as well as overall musical immediacy and enjoyment, most definitely come first.

regards,

mat

I have heard that a 555PS for my CDS would bee more well spent money than a 252 instead the 52.