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Post by julesd68 on Dec 5, 2015 22:06:47 GMT
Great to see MikeMusic today and I have to say that his cd playback is the best I have ever heard, bar none. What was most surprising to me was that he is using a Rega Isis cdp with Linn Isobariks. The sound was utterly neutral, none of the brightness & glare which I associate with Linn and Naim products. The Isobariks just give so much space and air around all the instruments, in a completely coherent soundstage, with fantastic bass depth which is always well controlled. Difficult to know how it could be improved. All the components work superbly well together which allows you to just enjoy the music without thinking about the gear - perfect!
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Post by MartinT on Dec 5, 2015 22:35:30 GMT
They are without doubt the best Isobariks I've ever heard.
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Post by dsjr on Dec 5, 2015 23:06:14 GMT
Depends on the mid drivers. The later cabs got consistency right and the later mid drivers were 'flatter' than the peaked up older style, which got worse and worse in '85 until Linn caved in and fitted the higher power ones. I found later passive 'briks a bit bland BUT, the amps we were using weren't powerful enough imo.
The Rega Isis IS a very good player indeed, just too expensive for most people to enjoy. Having said that, many Rega Reference dealers couldn't sell them (shame) and sold them for half price or thereabouts a couple of years ago.
P.S. Harshness and Naim really depends on the era they were made. the original bolt-up 120 and 250 were civility personified, musical and delicate. CB era were the horrible harsh ones and although the Olive period were better when new imo, they still go off the same into a harsh mess before servicing. The current stuff is definitely better in the midrange, but treble grain remains to a degree compared to its peers and the whole 'boogie' thing means a mid-bass emphasis for whatever reason but with little subjective extension below this, to me anyway.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 5, 2015 23:42:42 GMT
Well I don't think Mike has any lack of power with the Pass Labs / Chord combo ... Exceptionally good speakers in this set-up, and trust me I don't say that lightly!
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Post by dsjr on Dec 5, 2015 23:50:15 GMT
The only time I heard passive 'briks properly driven (a Nakamichi PA7 tried very hard, but I don't think it suited 4 ohm loads too well) was with a Quatre(QMI) Gain cell back in the late 70's, which gave 400 Watts or so per channel into this load - they weren't reliable after some years of pro use and surviving ones all need surgery doing on them apparently. We had Isobariks, B&W 801's which were the next best thing at the time and also the KEF 105's. ALL three models sounded better than ever with this kind of power through them with effortless dynamics. All this was new to me back then...
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Post by MartinT on Dec 6, 2015 5:41:12 GMT
The Isis is a great player and compares well with my Ayre. Having done that in my system, they are simply different qualities of great.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 6, 2015 10:33:47 GMT
I'd like to hear the LP12 another time!
This experience has taught me to be more open-minded about Linn / Rega in the future ...
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Post by dsjr on Dec 6, 2015 10:46:59 GMT
Again sir, it depends on the production era of the LP12... Early ones, pre 'everything,' still sounded excellent with a Grace and Supex, but the Ittok killed it, making the bass too fat and bloated, hence the 'Fruitbox' nickname. It's my view that it took Linn ten years or more to sort it and the Ekos was actually a few steps back at first - the Ittok LV III (which was definitely NOT the same as an early Ekos in sound ime) was fine with late 80's LP12's but the Ekos mk1 could be clanky in sound and most suffered clogged up bearings after a short while. By this time, the LP12 sounded better imo with an SME 309, a lovely arm and fairly priced then compared to the Linn and Naim alternatives.
By the early noughties, the LP12 had matured well, needing very little set-up compared to grouchy older ones when new and sounding great with an ARO. The Ekos and Akito had all but priced themselves out of the market in my opinion and the cheaper Akito (then £600) sounded grainy and really not nice to me.
So, sorry to butt in again, but when you next hear an LP12, please be certain of exactly its age and spec, as this is really important to the sonic signature it offers.
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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 6, 2015 12:16:24 GMT
Good to hear you still liked it after the drive back and some thought.
Next time you are down I'll hoist the LP12 into the Technics slot. Should be a few minutes work. I imagine the LP12 will be a quite a disadvantage with the Valhalla onboard and Linn interconnects v's outboard PSU and Yannis leads for the Technics
Not tried the Linn on the revised supports and via the VIDA so there may be a surprise ........
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2015 12:35:30 GMT
I would also say Mikes Briks produce a sound like none I have heard before as they are enjoyable and engaging and I am not a Brik fan!
They is an ease and openess to them I have not before listened to from any pair of Brik's and I have heard too many pairs over the years a combination of circumstances that just makes Mike great music
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2015 12:56:41 GMT
Again sir, it depends on the production era of the LP12... Early ones, pre 'everything,' still sounded excellent with a Grace and Supex. The best soundfing 'LP12' ive owned was a really early early prop black lid one with Grace '707' & Pickering 'XLZ-7500'/'PLZ'.. You made my day Dave because everyone laughs at me when i say this.. See i follow my lug holes not upgrade Regims/Trends.
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Post by dsjr on Dec 6, 2015 19:43:03 GMT
I have more stories about this, but not the heart to share them right now. Maybe another time...
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Post by Greg on Dec 6, 2015 21:53:32 GMT
I have more stories about this, but not the heart to share them right now. Maybe another time... Dave, I've just read your recent posts elsewhere and just wanted you to know that since you arrived on TAS, you have brought and shared your historical knowledge with you that adds much value to this forum. I for one really enjoy reading your posts. A holiday from certain forums might be good for you, but please book your holiday here. It really is one of the very best and relaxing holiday resorts you could ever wish to visit
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2015 22:52:26 GMT
Again sir, it depends on the production era of the LP12... Early ones, pre 'everything,' still sounded excellent with a Grace and Supex, but the Ittok killed it, making the bass too fat and bloated, hence the 'Fruitbox' nickname. It's my view that it took Linn ten years or more to sort it and the Ekos was actually a few steps back at first - the Ittok LV III (which was definitely NOT the same as an early Ekos in sound ime) was fine with late 80's LP12's but the Ekos mk1 could be clanky in sound and most suffered clogged up bearings after a short while. By this time, the LP12 sounded better imo with an SME 309, a lovely arm and fairly priced then compared to the Linn and Naim alternatives. By the early noughties, the LP12 had matured well, needing very little set-up compared to grouchy older ones when new and sounding great with an ARO. The Ekos and Akito had all but priced themselves out of the market in my opinion and the cheaper Akito (then £600) sounded grainy and really not nice to me. So, sorry to butt in again, but when you next hear an LP12, please be certain of exactly its age and spec, as this is really important to the sonic signature it offers. I must admit that the handful of Ittok LV2s I've had over the years did nothing for me sonically. I really liked the looks and build though. I've had a few Akitos and really liked them for the (2nd hand) price. As for the Ekos, I had an early one somewhere around 1990/91 and thought it was utterly fab. One of my favourite bits of kit ever. That LP12/Ekos/OC9SB was best I've heard an LP12 sound to date. That was on a 1987 Valhalla LP12. I guess we are all different in our tastes, but I would agree that there are definitely variances in LP12 sound over the years. I have a friend who swears it all went wrong the day the Cirkus "came to town". I personally didn't take to the Lingo. From that point onward I lost touch with the LP12 as I'd become clear in my mind that I preferred other decks.
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Post by dsjr on Dec 7, 2015 15:10:37 GMT
I can only say how I remembered it and I'm sure different setups, product samples and dealers may have made some difference. All I can say from memories growing ever distant now is that my favourite Linn arm of them all was the Ittok LV III. Getting rid of the screws made it look more streamlined (later the external arm-rest too) and if a Linn tonearm could ever be called 'sweet sounding,' I thought it was this one
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Post by Barrington on Dec 7, 2015 22:20:22 GMT
Great to see MikeMusic today and I have to say that his cd playback is the best I have ever heard, bar none. What CD's did you listen to ? Although I want to hear music I like (obviously) its nice to know what sounds good.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 8, 2015 0:53:15 GMT
Great to see MikeMusic today and I have to say that his cd playback is the best I have ever heard, bar none. What CD's did you listen to ? Although I want to hear music I like (obviously) its nice to know what sounds good. ah now that's a good question and thanks for reminding me - I wanted to ask Mike what the name of the female singer was we were listening to as it was a very good recording ... over to you Mike!
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Post by John on Dec 8, 2015 5:35:51 GMT
I not heard Mike system but everyone else who has has said great things about it Maybe one day
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Post by MartinT on Dec 8, 2015 7:02:11 GMT
It wasn't Hugo Largo was it, Mike?
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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 8, 2015 8:49:45 GMT
Started with Pilote, then I think I switched to L'Arpeggiata Christina Pluhar - All' Improvviso' for comparing the mains leads
Don't think we did anyone else, but I could be wrong
Finished up with Ry Cooder, Bop til you drop
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