AV 2250 v Chakra 2200

[heinzeman]

All,

I have recently bought a Chakra 2200, and have been very pleased.

But now I am slightly saddened and have had the wind somewhat taken out of my sails. Let me explain.

I bought it ex-demonstration (still warranted) and have had to return it for a repair as it failed to power up from standby. The dealership have offered me a 2250 as a loan item while my 2200 is being repaired. Here lies my problem.

i cannot tell a damn difference between them. Not a jot. Why oh why do you all say that the x200 range is such a vast improvement over the 2250, and that, indeed, the 2250 was a 'mistake' in Linn's history?

I have asked the dealership about buying the 2250, but regrettably they wish to hold on to it. Frankly, i wish I'd never spent £1500 on a mint C2200, when I could have bought at least two 2250's for the same price.

And for perspective, I should add that, and this is not gloating or superiority, my ears are very good. I am a pianist and have played-by-ear since I was 6 years old. I really do hear subtle differences between hi-fi components when most people are just pretending (come on, admit it!)

I only say this to rule out the possibility that I am tone-deaf or unmusical, which i appreciate that some of you may consider as being a possible explanation.

Would anyone care to comment, very very honestly, about their own experiences of the 2250 v the 2200 comparison? I wonder if either of the specific units concerned here are non-standard, for example. (now technology is one area I do become lost)!

I would be very grateful for any comments at all on this, as I really am aggrieved.

kind regards

[charlie1]

I'm not familiar with the sonic differences between these two products, but its worth mentioning that when Linn claim one product to be better than another they most certainly mean using the Tune Method. I would suggest you compare the two amps this way as you should find that when listening via the 2200, the music is easier to understand and follow than the 2250. Of course, better Tune Dem almost always means better Hi-Fi too, so I'm surprised that there is no noticeable difference in sound.

[ianbak]

I upgraded from an AV2250 to a C3200, and going from old to new in my system there was a small but definite improvement. My overall impression was much like yours - what a great amp the 2250 was for the price!

However, it was only when I put the 2250 back that I realised how much better the C3200 was! At that point I decided that, considering net cost of the upgrade, I could no longer live with the 2250.

And no, I wasn't pretending ;-)

[ledcam]

Hailstone we had aktiv 2250's and now have aktiv 4200's. I entirely agree with Ianbak. Whilst I though the 2250's were great amps ( I preferred them to Klouts - ooh heresy!) the 4200's make it easier to simply listen to the music.

There are upgrades that simply blow you away and others that are a bit more subtle and maybe take a bit of getting used to. Perhaps you'll notice the sonic differences when your 2200 comes back.

[heinzeman]

I hope so. thanks for the input - it does sound entirely plausible that I may notice the step in the other direction more. i hope so!

In the meantime, does anybody have a 2250 they would like to sell? I am keen to bi-amp, and have been so impressed with the 2250 I'm sure it's good enough to drive the bass, even with a 2200 for the top.

Do let me know?

Thanks again, and of course, comments on my original post are still very gratefully received.

kind regards

[mickc]

hailstone Wrote:I hope so. thanks for the input - it does sound entirely plausible that I may notice the step in the other direction more. i hope so!

In the meantime, does anybody have a 2250 they would like to sell? I am keen to bi-amp, and have been so impressed with the 2250 I'm sure it's good enough to drive the bass, even with a 2200 for the top.

Do let me know?

Thanks again, and of course, comments on my original post are still very gratefully received.

kind regards

I have three but I'm using them and you're not having any of 'em! I think it's a great amp - very different to the Klout (and I can understand how folk are divided between them, although personally I prefer the 2250) but far from being a 'mistake' I think it's one of the best amps Linn made for the price (although I can't comment on the newer amps as I've not heard them in my system).

Mick

PS I don't think it's called AV 2250, just 2250 - there was the AV5105 and the AV5125 (at least) but I'm pretty sure Linn never used AV for the 2250, although I can hear thousands of stampeding feet heading my way about to disagree with that!

[vicdiaz]

mickc Wrote:I don't think it's called AV 2250, just 2250 - there was the AV5105 and the AV5125 (at least) but I'm pretty sure Linn never used AV for the 2250, although I can hear thousands of stampeding feet heading my way about to disagree with that!

You are correct, it's just 2250 (I just checked the front fascia of mine).

BTW, I switched from a Klout to an 2250 about a 18 months ago and I much prefer the 2250.

[Peter Alligator]

Hi,

Two years ago I went from 2250 to 2200 and I never looked back. I heard the differences immediately. The second hand 2250 was the biggest mistake in my Linn-life. It could be that I owned a bad one though, because there seems to be differences between some versions.
The 2200 has more body, a fuller and more precise sound. More control. Gone were those nasty/spitting voices. Although the bass of the 2250 was very good and the amp was very musical (fast).

Regards,

Peter

[heinzeman]

mickc Wrote:

hailstone Wrote:I hope so. thanks for the input - it does sound entirely plausible that I may notice the step in the other direction more. i hope so!

In the meantime, does anybody have a 2250 they would like to sell? I am keen to bi-amp, and have been so impressed with the 2250 I'm sure it's good enough to drive the bass, even with a 2200 for the top.

Do let me know?

Thanks again, and of course, comments on my original post are still very gratefully received.

kind regards

I have three but I'm using them and you're not having any of 'em! I think it's a great amp - very different to the Klout (and I can understand how folk are divided between them, although personally I prefer the 2250) but far from being a 'mistake' I think it's one of the best amps Linn made for the price (although I can't comment on the newer amps as I've not heard them in my system).

Mick

PS I don't think it's called AV 2250, just 2250 - there was the AV5105 and the AV5125 (at least) but I'm pretty sure Linn never used AV for the 2250, although I can hear thousands of stampeding feet heading my way about to disagree with that!

Thanks Mick, for rubbing it in! (Couldn't you at least spare 1)?!

[Music Lover]

Peter Alligator Wrote:Two years ago I went from 2250 to 2200 and I never looked back. I heard the differences immediately. The second hand 2250 was the biggest mistake in my Linn-life. It could be that I owned a bad one though, because there seems to be differences between some versions.
The 2200 has more body, a fuller and more precise sound. More control. Gone were those nasty/spitting voices.

As Peter I think 2200 is a good step better, even prefer X100 (and as you probably know, Klout) over 2250.
Both the 5125 and 2250 have a digital feeling in the sound that I have big difficulties to stand.

hailstone, as your 2200 did fail it CAN indicate the unit wasn't performing as it should.
My ears tell me that 2200 is a big step better in all aspects; sound AND musicality.
But I also experienced some variations in amp performance. Some are better than others.

Finally, be careful adding a less good amp to a passive setup as this normally decreases the performance to a level between the best and worst amp. ALWAYS test before buying.
This isn't an issue in an active setup!

Please report back when you get the repaired 2200.
If the unit got a new amp board, a new burn in process is required until it's fully live and kickin'