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Conference hips::uk_audioo

Title:You get surface noise in real life too
Notice:Let's be conformist
Moderator:GOVT02::BARKER
Created:Thu Jul 28 1988
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:550
Total number of notes:3847

25.0. "Which amp to buy???" by CALLAO::RUPEREZ () Thu Aug 11 1988 15:07

    This entry comming from AUDIO conference as recommended by Dave
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    
    
    I've decided to buy a new amp, but as I have now a japanese one
which gave me some troubles I'd like to buy an english model.

Prerrequisites are:
1- Up to $1000
2- Between 60 and 100 w.
3- Independent record selector
4- Headphones shocket
5- MC capability
6- Up to 44 cm width.
7- At least 2 tapes in/out

CYRUS models from MISSION seems good but they have only 1 tape (the
video input has no output) (fails 7th)
QED model 240SA seems to be weak (45 w) (fails 2nd)
AUDIOLAB 8000's have 45 cm width (This is my wife's main p-r, fails 6th)
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO 75's have no phones shocket (fails 4th)
And there are a lot failing 1st.
Thinking about my SANSUI amp, is what I decided not to buy a japanese
model, but...
DENON have very good models as HK do, but they haven't 3th p-r.
ONKYO have 3th as I think but are they really good???

My system now includes a pair of KEF's (CARINA mk II, any comment?),
the SANSUI AU-D33 amp, TECHNICS ST-G3 tuner, Thorens TD 105 mk II
turntable (the best I have), and an X3-MC cartridge from Ortofon with
a very high output (2mv!!!), and a budget cassete driver 5050 from
SILVER (a HK brand??), which I would like to sustitute by a 44HX or
24HX from DENON, and I'm thinking to complete these with a 1500-mkII
CP player from DENON too, or the new 8800 from PHILIPS (I've read they
have fixed every errors from previous models to get this out).

Quite long but detailed enough to get a wise advise from anyone
interested on and experienced.

Jose M Ruperez
Madrid Office
                                                                   
    N.B.- To put more than 45 cm width we have to spend the money
    on new furniture, instead of the amp.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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25.1Audiolab recommendation, but ....IOSG::DUTTNigel DuttThu Aug 11 1988 18:477
    My advice - sell your wife and buy the Audiolab!!!
    
    That's the only one I've got experience of because that's the one I
    have, but I'm very happy with it. I replaced an A&R A60 with the 8000A
    when I moved to a larger room and was very pleasantly surprised by the
    overall improvement in sound (even better than the demo). It also looks
    good and is very solidly made. 
25.2What about "standards"CALLAO::RUPEREZFri Aug 12 1988 10:1310
    Thanks but I'm happy married... The equipment tower is part of a
    larger furniture, and of course, everything matches in the room
    (it is a 15'x19' which improved the quality sound got in our previous
    home, even with the SANSUI). It's a pitti but that amp doesn't fit
    at all (why aren't according to "standards" ???).
    
    Any other idea ?
    
    Thanks
    Jose
25.3QUAD!!!!!!!!!!!MUNEDU::LACEY2 Boxes of Frogs!! and thats UGLY!!Tue Aug 16 1988 17:0210
    
    
    Not sure about the Head Phones socket but why bother when you can
    annoy the neighbours. QUAD is the one your after, meets all requirements
    exept possibly head phones. 306 turns out 55 watts and the 606 over
    100 (i think....but the 606 maybe a bit expensive)
    
    
    
    		Grub.....
25.4SUBURB::TAYLORGPumping IronMon Feb 27 1989 13:491
    I have a SANSUi AU-G11X what do you all think of this amp?
25.5Linn Integrated Amp ? Any news, or am I the only one ?SUBURB::COLEJThis is the End, Beautiful friendMon Feb 05 1990 16:5419
    I have heard rumors of late of a new Linn amp, suposedly called
    the "Intek" ...suposed to sell for around �500 quid...
    
    Anyone know anything about it...Does it exist, or is it yet another
    myth of a product from Linn....?
    
    Juju
    xxxx
    
    By the way, I am bearing in mind the comment by Linns designer,
    Mr Dalgleish, who says Linn are trying to make a Linn "system" more
    affordable to the individual, following on from the launch of the
    basik turntable. This is why I am led to believe an integrated amp
    is a poszsibility. 
    
    I have not read any magazines except What Hi-Fi of late, so if someone
    more informed would care to inform....
    
    
25.6Yes, the Intek exists....BAHTAT::SALLITTDave @RKG, 831-3117Tue Feb 06 1990 16:036
    .....although I haven't heard or seen it. I think HFR may have reviewed
    it, if they haven't I'm sure it won't be long before they do.
    
    If it's built to the same standard as the LK1/LK280, it'll be superb.
    
    Dave
25.7SUBURB::COLEJSun GodTue Feb 06 1990 16:299
    Do the Linn amps actually sound that good ? I cannot remember hearing
    much in the way of complimentary reviews of them, and word of mouth
    was that they were "nothing special".
    
    Any Lk owners wish to correct me ?
    
    Juju
    xxxx
    
25.8Don't believe reviews....BAHTAT::SALLITTDave @RKG, 831-3117Fri Feb 09 1990 17:2029
    The latest revision LK amps don't sound of anything. They just
    disappear. I was in the market for a Naim NAP250 to upgrade my 140, or
    to ditch my Naim amps and buy the Linn (about �200 less, nett cost);
    I'd already borrowed a 250 so I knew it would deliver what I wanted,
    but to check out the options I borrowed a dem set of Linn amps.
    
    I had a list of tracks I wanted to use as audition material, but time
    and again I found myself just listening to a whole side, or album even.
    That convinced me. You could say it's midrange was clear, treble sweet,
    etc., but for me the way it made me just sit, listen and enjoy was the
    crunch. The LK280 also goes *loud* without the sound stage
    disintegrating or getting hard, or bright; the volume control is just
    the zoom control on a camera - just choose what row you want to sit
    in....
    
    Don't believe all you read in HiFi Review (Malcolm Steward doesn't work
    there anymore)! True, early models did sound flat and veiled; the
    latest revisions definitely do not, although getting the best out of
    them requires a little effort with interconnect directionality - which
    may be why reviews differ so much.
    
    Source quality is all-important if any amp is to give its best, of
    course.
    
    Build quality is superb and should carry over to the Intek.
    
    The moral? Listen before you buy.
    
    Dave
25.9do a dir/all/author=brightTASTY::JEFFERYRing Carlsberg Customer Complaints Dept.Fri Feb 09 1990 18:086
Steve Bright who used to work in Digital as a contractor had LK amps.

I liked them, although I haven't had the chance to compare them with a well
known Naim yet.

Mark.