NAC 552 preamplifier

The only obvious changes between this and a 282, a 252 or even a Supernait are that (a) the knobs are different, (be) the case is in anodized brushed aluminium and (c) you get the funky R-Com handset bundled in. The matching 552PS power supply only works with the 552 pre, so there has not even been the normal 'soft' upgrade path to get here.

Thankfully, the 552 reveals itself to be a LOT more accomplished than its lesser brethren. After all, the sophistication of the 552 lies inside the boxes. For a start it has suspension. This pre-amp comes with transit screws.

Far from being a difficult analytical listen, the 552 is the most benign preamplifier that Naim make. It resolves detail, dynamics, space and intonation (in spades) but it does not make a fuss over a duff recording or even a less than perfect source or power amp. I guess that you could say it has a "nice tone". Or more accurately can let you hear the vibrancy and richness of instruments and voices. A single note on, say, a saxophone can sound so utterly goose-bumpingly glorious that the tune is an added bonus.

Yes we like it - and if the choice of upgrade is this or a CD555, the 552 could well be the better place to start.

NAP 500 power amp

Forget any preconceptions over this being Naim's muscle amp. Sure enough when you first plug in a new one it can seem a bit of a thug. It might even be less than optimal with some (themselves less than optimal?) loudspeakers but in the right context it settles down into being a subtle, agile and colourful performer that just happens to have some dramatic slam available.

Compared to the NAP300, the 500 offers an even more expressive and beguiling midland, faster cleaner more resolved bass and much sweeter, better resolved treble. These qualities conspire to make the NAP500 considerably more natural and realistic than the (admittedly much cheaper) NAP300.

Active Naim systems have been popular for may years and mixing a 500 with another Naim power amp in an active configuration can have a down side: it stands out like a sore thumb. Whether it sits on the bass, middle or (as suggested by Naim) treble, it is very different from a 250 or 300. We love what the NAP500 does for the Naim SL2s, and in this context, 2 x 500s sound a whole lot better than 1 x 500 working passively. More importantly, 1 x 500 in passive arrangement betters 2 x 300 active (and costs much the same), although the areas of change brought by active operation are quite different from the amplifier steps.

We now carry the whole 500 series on permanent demonstration.

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