Power amp - worthwhile?

[Dominic]

Hello,

I'd appreciate an expert opinion!

I have a Linn Classik,which I love, and Ruark Epilogue Reference speakers. It is all 14 years old, and sounds great, despite the best efforts of small children.

Sometimes I feel that the amplifier in the Classik is working a bit hard, and I wonder if a power amp would be worthwhile. My budget is very small, and I was thinking of a 2nd hand Linn LK100. Is this likely to make the slightest bit of difference, or I think that I prefer a warmer sound to anything too clinical, but a bit of precision never goes amiss. Although I find describing sound a bit like describing cheese - very subjective.

I like listening to classical music, mostly either piano or opera. However, we don't have a TV but watch DVDs occasionally on a laptop, and plug the laptop into the Classik. We aren't too concerned by sound / surround etc when watching DVDs, just so long as we can hear which side the gunfire is coming from.

So I guess I have 4 questions -

So is it worth adding a separate amp, if I am not planning to upgrade the speakers/source in the foreseeable future?
Is a Linn LK100 any good? Would people recommend anything different?
After 14 years, should I be asking Linn to service the Classik?
If I buy a power amp (or anything else) on eBay should I get that serviced as well?

Or should I invest the money in some really good cakes, to enjoy while listening to my system as it is?

Many thanks for any thoughts from the experts,

Dominic

[twotone]

Dominic you can pick up great power amps for relative buttons these days.

I've just taken delivery of a Quad 306 but not plugged it in yet as the pre is coming tomorrow, the 306 cost me £110 posted but there is a fantastic consononce power amp on here for £200 and it's practically brand new according to the advert and, a cracking power amp sold on the Wam yesterday for £170.

[Dominic]

Thanks for that - I will keep an eye out, to see what comes up. You didn't say not to bother, which is reassuring!

Thanks again,

Dominic

[struth]

As long as your amp has a pre out then it should be a worthwhile exercise; I use a power amp with my fmj and biamped the speakers. it was worthwhile for me. ....I'd say you amp is coming up for a service, getting the major caps replaced etc. I would say go to someone who can do it properly though not necessarily a Linn shop; they can be expensive. I am sure there are plenty people in your neck of the woods who could do it and there are people here who can steer you n the right direction.

[walpurgis]

Apart from a recently purchased small valve jobbie, I haven't used integrated amps for over thirty years. I like to mix and match pre and power amps. Got it as spot on as I need now. Solid state Class A power amp and TVC pre. I've also got valve pre-amps and power amps, they all sound excellent. (got a 50 watt 'D' Class power & passive pairing to assemble too)

[Chops]

I used to have a Classik in my main system driving Linn Ninkas. Added a brace of LK140s. Don't remember it being a big upgrade sound wise. Could be different with your speakers if they need more grunt. Ninkas are a relatively easy drive IIRC.

I then went up the Linn ladder to a 5125 after moving to a passive preamp. Again, incremental upgrade but not big. When I got my EAR 890, there was a night and day improvement - detailed, fast, dense.

My my suggestion would be to look elsewhere (from Linn) for a power amp as suggested above. Choose wisely and you'll should see a good improvement.

Still using the Classik for my TV as an integrated amp and it's great. Guess it must be maybe 11 or 12 years old.

Another suggestion. I have an old Arcam Alpha Plus CD player. Thought I try it through the Classik. A clear improvement. If you were up my way you could have it FOC, although it's been stored for a while so some tc might be in order. If you have a DVD or Bluray player, maybe you could try these through your Classik to see if it's a useful option.

Chris

[awkwardbydesign]

Dominic you can pick up great power amps for relative buttons these days.

I've just taken delivery of a Quad 306 but not plugged it in yet as the pre is coming tomorrow, the 306 cost me £110 posted but there is a fantastic consononce power amp on here for £200 and it's practically brand new according to the advert and, a cracking power amp sold on the Wam yesterday for £170.
That'll be mine, then! ;)