Linn Isobariks...but which amp?

I have just invested in a pair of Linn Isobariks, I tried using them with my A&R A60 amp, which sounded fantastic, but as it is only 40W it kept blowing output fuses, so I am now using my Arcam A75+. I want to upgrade to a better amp, but can anyone recommend the best amp to go for? I absolutely need an amp with a good phono stage as I listen to a lot of vinyl...

 

Naim Nac72, Hi-Cap, Nap250 (even better a pair of Nap135's) - If you can afford it a Nac52 instead of the Nac72/Hi-Cap.

The Nap250 was the power amp that Linn used for most of the Isobariks design life - they only produced their own amps right at the end of Isobarik production.

 

budget...

If only I could afford it...sorry, I forgot to mention my rather meagre budget...I'm looking second hand, around £500 ($700)...ish...
To be honest I was happy with the sound of my A&R A60, unfortunately, though, it couldn't run them and kept blowing fuses when pushed...Thanks for your reply, though...

 

Sorry, but in that case I would not have bought Isobariks.

A Naim Nac32.4 and Nap140 (chrome bumper) may be within budget but are not really what I would recommend for Isobariks - mind you better for the task than your A60.

Early Linn amps LK1 and LK2 can be bought quite cheap (though not without good reason) and these will drive Isobariks - sound quality aside.

However, you are seriously in danger of producing what is sometimes called a 'mullet' system. This is one where the ability of the system is biased towards the speakers, rather than the source. Whilst you may hear all the good qualities of your amp and source, you will also hear all of their faults. Isobariks are not particularly easy speakers to drive and will certainly not make life easy for the amplifier (or source).

 

As the Irish say, when giving directions: "if I wanted to get to there, I wouldn't have set off from here". Isobarik journeys are interesting, but usually end up somewhere else.

 

Indeed. A seventies curiosity that are guaranteed to cost a fortune to drive. I'd move them on - there are plenty of people willing to waste watts on them.

Steve

 

I feel that both The Devil and Steve make fair points.

 

See if you can get hold of a Kairn preamp and say an LK280 power amp inside your budget.

 

The Linn LK280 is a very good amp - much better than the LK2 and when combined with a Spark power supply the performance is (so I've read) close to Klout performance.
The LK280 + Spark can be had for less than £300 (a couple went on ebay recently for less than £260 each).

It's 80W per channel.

You can also pick up a Linn preamp for say £250 - so it should be just about do-able on your budget (assuming you don't already have a preamp).

In fact, I'm doing the same as yourself - except I need to find myself a good pair of late Isobariks as I intend to drive them Aktiv in the end.

Good luck

 

How about one of those AVI integrated amps? About 250watt per channel IIRC.

 

Chaps

I have just played Sarah Brightman through a pair of Briks mounted on Mana powered by a Naim 52 / 300 set up.

It was enchanting.

Regards

Mick

 

Has it occurred to you that your anti-Mana epiphany coincided with correctly ditching the Isobariks, and correctly buying ATC 100s? I'm reading the PFM Mana thread with incredulity.

 

cripes...

 

fox

Bearing grudges is one of lifes pleasures !

Regards

Mick

 

As am I.

 

As am I.

Yes, but I'm the person with the SME 20, Whest PS .20, and apparently badly-set-up Mana stacks. The Cambridge phono stage was compared with my Whest for all of ten minutes. Contrary to popular belief, Mana doesn't make everything sound the same.

 

Thought you might be

 

No Mana thread is complete without metadiscussion. Whew!

Btw, I was surprised to learn that a certain system was supposed to render "large" differences indiscernible.

 

Not as surprised as me. I still have the best system/room I've ever heard.

 

We need to know more about the disgraced former french teacher. Who, what, where,when,why?

Ahhhhh.....nevermind, it's coming back to me now. (Seems like I was drinking alot in those days)