Anyone tried a Linn Kairn with a QUAD 405-2?

[DirectDrive_Gordon]

I am toying with the idea of upgrading my pre-amp from a Audiolab 8000Q to possibly a Linn Kairn. My power amp is a 405man modified QUAD 405-2 - has anyone tried this admittedly unusual combination and if so how well did the two components work together?

I would plug my 1210 into the MM input on the Kairn with my 1200 going into a line level input via my Linn Linto. I am interested in the Kairn because of the sonic transparency I would expect it to provide and also for it's flexibility in terms of inputs and also I like it's looks plus it would match my Linto.

Opinions and advice from the more knowledgeable and experienced forum members would be greatly appreciated.

System: Modified Technics SL-1200 MK2 with Origin live armboard, fully OL modded RB250, Isonoe feet, Denon DL304, Linn Linto, Audiolab 8000Q, Modified QUAD 405-2, KEF Reference One loudspeakers, Modified Technics SL-1210 MK2, Origin live armboard, RB250 (OL strucrual mod only), Isonoe feet, Sontra 500EX MM cart, Cambridge Audio 640P, Kenwood KT-7020 Tuner, Sony MDS-JA20ES MD deck (used as a DAC for the PC), PC (playing Apple lossless files via iTunes), Sony TC-K81 cassette deck, Beyerdynamic DT990 'phones.

[DSJR]

The Kairn is NOT an upgrade from an 8000Q, it's just softer and a touch veiled (and I've heard dozens of different ages and board layouts to confirm this)

Get a Quad preamp and soup it up. The LATE 44 with phono's is good and can be made better with op-amp changes, the 66 is lovely and open, if a tad lacking in "slam." I love the 77 for its atmosphere, sweetness and all-round "musicality."

The cheapest option would be to ditch the Linto altogether and get a Croft Series 25. The 405 gain may need to be reduced to match it better, but the sound would be the best of all the options I've discussed - My old croft preamp is better than a Kairn and the new ones will be at least as good IMO...

[quadsugdenman]

I'd completely agree with David on this. I had an updated and fettled Quad 44 and it was very good (especially the phono stage) and beat a friends Linn for detail and dynamics. If you want the convenience of a s/h remote controlled Quad preamp then the Quad 77 with System controller is a very good sounding preamp. The phono section in the 77 was also underated imho.
Croft preamps are excellent both new and GC 'fettled' units. I have a modified Croft SMA and it is an excellent sounding unit. Worth seeking these older preamps out as they are still very good sounding and for not a lot of cash!!!

[SteveW]

Just another vote for wot Dave says.
in fact I still have a Kairn in my kitchen system, (it was replaced by a Linn Exotic in the main system - which was light years better in all ways)
The Kairn is OK, and I only have it because it sits on top of kitchen units and controlled by remote... but soft and veiled is a very accurate description.

[DSJR]

I knew two people well (and knew of many others) who replaced their Kairns with 5103's which sounded tons better when configured for stereo. The Kairn was a lot better than any LK1 I ever heard, by the way, hence my negative feelings towards the LK1 in any form, most of which will be burning up around the supply regulators by now.

[DirectDrive_Gordon]

Hmm, interesting. I have always been interested in the QUAD 44 and 34 - love the very different styling and the tone controls and the 44 is very flexible (apart from the lack of a headphone output). I read in several places, however, that QUAD pre-amps are a weak link and not up to the standard of their power amps. I think I might give a QUAD 44 a try though. If I don't get on with it I can always put it back on eBay. What about hot-rodding it though - who would you recommend to do this?

[DSJR]

The thing about Quad preamps is that they WERE the weakest link for many years. HOWEVER, they were limited more by available components rather than weak design and now, even a 33 can be transformed into a charming and inexpensive bargain IMO, by (Dada) modding and re-capping the power supply (biggest difference), re-capping everywhere else (subtle difference depending on age of the 33) and doing the Richard Bryce mod(s) on the output cards (the .67uF to 1uF cap mod to remove the 35Hz filter makes a huge difference).

The LATE chocolate button/phono socket 44 is the one to go for and it's still a fair used buy at £300 or so. The early 44 sounds a bit like an early Kairn to me, punchy but lacking in "air." The later one straight out of the box was a lot better I thought. Both versions benefit by modern op-amp changes and I read somewhere of a chap comparing one with the baby EAR preamp and not hearing much if any difference (a good result IMO).