Linn Power amps comparisons and ranking

We use the Tune Method to evaluate performance

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crondani
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Linn Power amps comparisons and ranking

Post by crondani »

Good day
I read a thread the other day where a lot of discussion took place around the ranking of Linn CD players. It was quite insightful and helped me to focus my search for an upgrade in the world of used hi-fi goodies.
Does a similar thread exist where Linn Power amplifiers were compared and put into ranking?
Does one exist for pre-amps perhaps.
Thank you and regards
Azazello
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Post by Azazello »

Regarding power amplifiers, something like this is probably reasonably close:

LK2
LK2/75
Powertek
LK100/LK85
LK280
LK280+Spark
5105/LK240/LK140
Klout
5125
2250
2100
2200
Twin
Solo

Things get a bit messed up by Dynamik (is 2250/D or even 5125/D better than 2100 without, and so forth), the fact that the multi-channel versions of 2100 and 2200 are not as good as the stereo versions, and the fact that Klout seem to posses some qualities that people are reluctant to let go of.

Not putting Tundra in there since I'm a moderator here.

EDIT:

There is also the active/passive issue. So given a certain speaker and budget you will end up with a number of possible combinations where the best choice will depend on your willingness to live with complexity and a difficult installation, as well as your need for loud volume :)
Last edited by Azazello on 2014-03-19 16:11, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Donald »

Thanks Azazello - great post.

Can someone do the same for pre-amps please?

Donald
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Post by tokenbrit »

Answered here: http://forums.linn.co.uk/bb/showthread. ... #pid215280

I would've taken a go myself but it's easier to share the link and avoid being be corrected by those with wider experience, & better ears... if not those with better experience, & wider ears :)
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Post by Music Lover »

Azazello wrote:Regarding power amplifiers, something like this is probably reasonably close:

Twin
Solo
I would say...

Twin
Twin/D
Solo
Solo/D
It's all about musical understanding!
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Post by CJ1045 »

My view

LK100 £225
2100 £450
LK2/75 £175
LK85 £299
LK280 £225
LK280+Spark £350
5105/LK240(Pair) £400 / £600
LK140 £450
2200 £1200
Klout £1000
5125 £1100
2250 £1100
Twin £4000
Solo(Pair) £7000

Assuming those amps that can be Dynamiked are Dynamiked
I have put approx second hand prices after each amp
Last edited by CJ1045 on 2014-03-19 19:27, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by macrotech2 »

That's a very expensive LK100! :-)
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Post by Azazello »

And a very very bad 2100 ...
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Post by Azazello »

Music Lover wrote:
Azazello wrote:Regarding power amplifiers, something like this is probably reasonably close:

Twin
Solo
I would say...

Twin
Twin/D
Solo
Solo/D
What about 2200/D compared to Twin?
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Post by CJ1045 »

Azazello wrote:And a very very bad 2100 ...
I am not sure whether you are referring to price or sound quality.

On price it is spot on, the last one sold on ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Linn-MAJIK-21 ... 7675.l2557

on sound quality that is my view. I think it lack of power really causes it to struggle.

CJ
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Post by stefan »

Azazello wrote:
Music Lover wrote:
Azazello wrote:Regarding power amplifiers, something like this is probably reasonably close:

Twin
Solo
I would say...

Twin
Twin/D
Solo
Solo/D
What about 2200/D compared to Twin?
Chakra Twin (non D) is IMO better than 2200/D. But Twin has been around since 2001/2002 or so and the first version was not Chakra. Most early Twins are likely Chakra-upgraded though, never heard that difference.
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Post by Azazello »

CJ1045 wrote:
Azazello wrote:And a very very bad 2100 ...
I am not sure whether you are referring to price or sound quality.
CJ
I don't see how "bad" could refer to the price? Have you actually compared 2100 to K2/75 and preferred the latter? Fredrik used to have a system with 2100 and a pair of 109 and it was absolutely fantastic. Much better than the active Katans driven by 2250s he used before that.
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Post by CJ1045 »

'A very bad price to achieve for a 2100' - that would be a reasonable sentence to use in English. By all accounts 109s can sound really good. My experience of using the x100 series of amps is not particularly good but I do like the sound the LK2s make. I am just not a fan of the x100 series amps.

CJ
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Post by macrotech2 »

Interesting. Many moons ago now I was running Aktiv Isobariks (the original ones) with 3 LK280/Sparks and found 1 Klout + 2 LK100 was significantly better.

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Post by crondani »

Hi
Thanks for all the contributions.
Was very helpful.
Regards
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