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sonddek

14-09-2010, 14:13

Hi, I am Richard.

I like a wide range of music although my collection is a bit weak on thrash metal and country. It's quicker to say who I don't like: Mahler and U2.

My system is in flux at the moment, but it comprises
SL1210, TimestepPS, Ekos2, Axia
Linn Uphorik
2 x LinnAV5125 actively driving Linn 242's

In my fallow box I have Sondek/Lingo/KeelKlone and I've just sold Naim 82/HiCap/250
ESC is working on my Arkiv Boron and Asaka

I need a preamp to replace my Naim. A Creek OBH-22 is in the post to me but I'm told it won't be great with my system.

I live in London.

Cheers!

chris@panteg

14-09-2010, 22:44

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum.

What arm are you going to get for your LP12 ? that's a pretty high spec deck too , are you a member on the Linn forum and if so have you been excommunicated .

You prefer the Linn amps over the classic Naim set up , how would you describe the differencies .

DSJR

15-09-2010, 09:40

I'll leave it to Richard to tell you ;) Those 5125's are/were good multi-channel amps as I recall and lend themselves so easily to "Aktiv" cards.....

For preamps, try Walrus.. Unless you have a preamp with three or more pairs of output sockets you may have loads of daisy-chaining or custom wires to make up. The trouble is, many of the best sounding preamps out there may not have a low enough output impedance to drive paralled up amps per channel. For solid-state, you could return to Naim in the form of a 72 with either NJ or Avondale boards inside, powered by an Avondale or Teddyreg based supply. These combinations apparently significantly outperforms an 82 with any supply yet costs around the same as a used 82. the secret is that the 72 is modular, so unused tape boards can be left out, the relay board bypassed if the 72 is left on and the replacement boards either improve on the "Naim sound" or replace this with something more neutral in tone. By the way, the 5125 amps won't need the bandwidth limiting tone controls - er - 729 filter boards in the 72 either, so they can go too. if all this seems too much, have a word with Les at Avondale, who makes a couple of preamps at completely different price points. The various power supplies have enough outputs too and cables and or socketry can be specified to suit.

Whew - does the above help in any way?????

sonddek

15-09-2010, 17:09

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum.

Thank you.

What arm are you going to get for your LP12 ? that's a pretty high spec deck too

I may put the Ekos back on the Sondek. For the Technics I'm thinking about SME, FXR2, Origin Live. I'm not a big believer in minutely adjustable azimuth, vta and removable headshells.

are you a member on the Linn forum and if so have you been excommunicated .

No, I only joined there recently and it seems very civilised. It seems less scientological than some Linn dealerships, and some other forums.

You prefer the Linn amps over the classic Naim set up , how would you describe the differencies .

I had a chance to pick up a nice pair of 242's at half price (only twice what they're worth!). I then realised that two AV5125's would allow me to go active quite cheaply and would be a big improvement for a 5-way speaker whose cross-overs waste 80% of the amp's power. The 5125's sound smoother and more 3D, but (when passive) perhaps less meaty than my naim 250. Quin-wiring and quin-amping make a big difference with these speakers, and Naim told me they had no active option for 242's.

DSJR

15-09-2010, 17:13

I think that all Linn speakers that offered active as an option were transformed by the change, not just because active is inherently better (it is *if done right*), but because the passive crossovers were crippling the speaker IMO.

sonddek

15-09-2010, 17:27

For preamps, try Walrus..

I called them a couple of weeks ago. They were very short with me on the telephone, said they were too busy and would call me back. They didn't. I might try again, but I'm in no hurry. I'm slightly fed up with arrogant attitudes at dealerships.

Unless you have a preamp with three or more pairs of output sockets you may have loads of daisy-chaining or custom wires to make up. The trouble is, many of the best sounding preamps out there may not have a low enough output impedance to drive paralled up amps per channel. For solid-state, you could return to Naim in the form of a 72 with either NJ or Avondale boards inside, powered by an Avondale or Teddyreg based supply. These combinations apparently significantly outperforms an 82 with any supply yet costs around the same as a used 82. the secret is that the 72 is modular, so unused tape boards can be left out, the relay board bypassed if the 72 is left on and the replacement boards either improve on the "Naim sound" or replace this with something more neutral in tone. By the way, the 5125 amps won't need the bandwidth limiting tone controls - er - 729 filter boards in the 72 either, so they can go too. if all this seems too much, have a word with Les at Avondale, who makes a couple of preamps at completely different price points. The various power supplies have enough outputs too and cables and or socketry can be specified to suit.

Thanks for the advice.

First, the AV5125's allow you to short inputs on the five channels so that one cable to the power amp will do. I don't know if this is a good solution, but it seems to be the suggested way on these amps. Please explain further if there's something I don't understand. I should point out that although I listed my system as active 5125's, I will not be collecting them until tomorrow morning, so as yet, I've not heard it in active configuration. I have heard it deka-amped and it was pretty good.

Secondly, I need a remote control as I listen while I work, and I will go mad if I have to get up every time the telephone goes, so Grad 1, 72, and certain other preamp options are out.

I have ordered a Lejonklou Kikkin and have just received a Creek OBH-22, so I will try those before resorting to the obvious choice of an expensive Linn preamp as volume control.

Alex_UK

15-09-2010, 21:10

Hello and welcome Richard - I'm well out of the loop with Linn and Naim kit, but I do know my manners and am just here to say hello. Hello! Enjoy AoS.

sonddek

15-09-2010, 22:55

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm well out of the loop with Linn and Naim kit, but I do know my manners...

Speak your mind, I never take criticism of my kit personally. There's plenty of good stuff out there, and one man's meat is another man's poison. I'm lazy, so unadventurous choices suit me. Also, the wife decided she could live with 242's as they are fairly pretty with the grills off or on, compared to some of the alternatives. B&W's and Focals didn't even get a listen, sadly, as she deemed them all too ugly (as if that matters!).

chris@panteg

15-09-2010, 23:47

Thanks Richard

It makes sense to put the Ekos back on the Linn ,the FXR2 looks to be very interesting and if its as good as David Price says ! other than that an SMEIV would be marvelous on the techie .

Alex_UK

16-09-2010, 09:36

Thanks for the welcome.

Speak your mind, I never take criticism of my kit personally. There's plenty of good stuff out there, and one man's meat is another man's poison. I'm lazy, so unadventurous choices suit me. Also, the wife decided she could live with 242's as they are fairly pretty with the grills off or on, compared to some of the alternatives. B&W's and Focals didn't even get a listen, sadly, as she deemed them all too ugly (as if that matters!).

Richard, I only meant knowing my manners as in saying hello to a new member! No criticism implied or intended - I personally would be very happy with any kit that sounded good to me - (I'm still very interested in checking out the Naim Uniti as I think it is a truly ground-breaking bit of kit) - the name (sorry) on the box is immaterial. WAF isn't too much of a consideration for me, but protection from little fingers is - we all have our domestic challenges I guess!

sonddek

16-09-2010, 18:12

Richard, I only meant knowing my manners as in saying hello to a new member! No criticism implied or intended - I personally would be very happy with any kit that sounded good to me - (I'm still very interested in checking out the Naim Uniti as I think it is a truly ground-breaking bit of kit) - the name (sorry) on the box is immaterial. WAF isn't too much of a consideration for me, but protection from little fingers is - we all have our domestic challenges I guess!

Yes - we have a nipper on the way. Bye-bye to peace, quiet, and a side or two of contemplative vinyl.

Alex_UK

16-09-2010, 18:26

Yes - we have a nipper on the way. Bye-bye to peace, quiet, and a side or two of contemplative vinyl.

Congrats on that and best of luck!

sonddek

17-09-2010, 01:40

Congrats on that and best of luck!

We don't need luck: I have "Puff the Magic Dragon" on LP.

Alex_UK

17-09-2010, 07:16

I used to work with a girl who even in her twenties would cry on hearing that song! Being serious (for once) I would highly recommend this CD from Sophie Barker (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lullaby-Beautiful-Soothing-Collection-Children/dp/B0012IWIZ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1284707591&sr=1-1) - doesn't quite drive you up the wall like most kids music and is quite chilled (she's worked with Zero 7 and Bliss amongst others.) Believe me, you'll need chilling out when the babe arrives! ;)

sonddek

17-09-2010, 17:52

Techno Commander

17-09-2010, 18:03

Welcome Richard. :)