Naim system swop

[blue nile]

I am contemplating a switch from my naim 72/250 amp to a linn pre/power amp to drive my lp12/Karik front end. Any change would have to be based on what I'd get from selling the naim gear, and buying second hand. At the moment it looks like a Kairn/ Majik combination would be it.. I wondered if anyone has any comment on this, or advice.

I guess this may have been discussed here before but I cant find it if it's here.

Thanks for your help

[tokenbrit]

You don't say what your speakers are, or what Majik power amp you are considering (2100?) but you may be better off keeping with the same generation of electronics so Kairn/LK140, or Kairn/Klout... That would keep it visually consistent, in case that's a concern...

[Gonzo]

Here's my experience for what it's worth. I used to own a Naim 72 Hicap 250 driving passive Kabers (relatively early ones). The source components were an LP12 / Ekos / Klyde / Lingo, Naim NAT02 and the original Karik Numerik. This all sounded detailed and pleasingly dynamic - I was happy with the system. I then decided to go multiroom and to use the Linn Knekt system I changed my 72 Hicap for a Kairn (96 vintage). The kairn was an improvement over the 72 Hicap being more detailed and focused to my ears. I then decided to take the Kabers active. I p ex'd the original pair for a later active only pair and acquired 2 more Naim 250s (these were the older style - big green on off switch) whereas my original one was the later type. I added a Naxo 3-6 and another earlier Hicap. The sound was dynamic and detailed but somehow not that satisfying - something wasn't quite right but it was hard to put my finger on it. The sound seemed more lightweight than before for example.
I used the system like that for about 18 months or so and then acquired 2 LK85s intended for another system. I also had some Majik amps (part of my Knekt system) and so I made up some cables to allow me to substitute 2 LK85s and 1 Majik used as a power amp for the 3 Naim 250s. You would expect this set up to be worse right? The Naim 250 is generally regarded as a superior amp to the low end Linn power ams and certainly better than the power section of a Majik. The irony was that the system sounded better in every way - in particular, the pace and rythm of the music was much better with no loss of detail. I bought another LK85, A linn Tunebox and the correct Kaber cards and frankly the sound was a revelation from where it had been with the Naim set up. There is always the possibility that my older 250s needed a service. The Naim crossover was serviced by Naim and set up correctly for the Kabers. The final Linn system seemed to have gained about an extra octave of bass - I was obviously pretty happy. Incidentally, there have been various comments on this forum that the LK85s are a bit underpowered, I think in a set up like my old one they are a good cheap solution as they are not being worked that hard.
My final change with this system was to swap the 3 LK85s for a C6100 which was once again a significant improvement. I have the utmost respect for Naim gear but I do think that Linn amps driving Linn speakers is a particulalrly synergistic combination.

[blue nile]

Thanks for that, my speakers are spendors s6e, which I like a lot.

I'm just interested in the possible change of amp,and what people would think might be better than what is there. I take it that the Majik 2100 is not regarded as being up to the naim 250 standard?

[tokenbrit]

I have no direct experience of the amps you have, or mention, but the Majik 2100 is the 2-channel version of the 6100 (6-ch) that Gonzo references above. So, following his thread, he thought the LK85s were better (aktiv) than the 250 (w/ his Kabers) and then the 6100 was better again...

I know a lot of folks tend to match Spendors with Naim, or Mission Cyrus, but I have S5e's driven by a 2200 & I'm happy The LK series were a little warmer (& cuddlier) than Linn's more recent amps, so a 2100 might be a good match - worth listening to, at least, to let your ears decide.

[blue nile]

I suppose what I want is some guidance as to whether the majik 2100 goes with a Kairn better than any other possibility, but I guess this is all kind of old hat ? Just I cant find any relevant discussion in this forum.

[tokenbrit]

A 2100 would probably go better with an Exotik or a Majik pre, if your budget will stretch, of course, but you seem settled (set?) on a Kairn. Re-reading Gonzo's post, above, he seemed to say he happily used 3 x LK85s and, later, 1 x C6100 with his Kairn and the combo was better than 72 HiCap & 250s with his Aktiv Kabers. From that I'd expect a Kairn and 2100 to work well, but that doesn't guarantee that it'll sound better than your Naim gear to your ears or with your speakers.

"better than any other possibility" is going to be subjective and system dependant.

I'm not sure how "relevant" a discussion you're looking for. It maybe worth re-asking the question specific to Linn gear, about the Kairn/2100 match, although the answers may not be entirely relevant to your Spendors...

[qtws]

(2010-02-01 22:53)blue nile Wrote:  I suppose what I want is some guidance as to whether the majik 2100 goes with a Kairn better than any other possibility, but I guess this is all kind of old hat ? Just I cant find any relevant discussion in this forum.

Based upon my experience, if your budget is pre owned kairn/ new(?)M2100 sized, I'd do it the other way up - get a majik control (which sounds divine fed uni1.1 and driving kout aktiv ninkas), and an LK100 (a damn fine amp). Try to get a listen to the possibilities, with your speakers. The new majik integrated could be an option or you could even go hog wild and get kairn/klout - then spend money on the LP12, or even better, on music! Most dealers should have an LK100 lying around and majik pre/integrated, so that dem is doable. Kairn and Klout might be harder to get a listen to, but you never know....and that one WILL sound good
I've not heard 72/250, or S6e, so can't comment. I've never heard anything unpleasant when mixing newer and older Linn boxes, but others may differ - old pre, new power seems to be regarded as a bad idea, probably as the new poweramps are more revealing of the limitations of the older preamps. Source first says get the better pre amp, then get a power amp.

HTH,
Q

[thedevilsbuilder]

(2010-02-01 23:24)tokenbrit Wrote:  A 2100 would probably go better with an Exotik or a Majik pre, if your budget will stretch, of course, but you seem settled (set?) on a Kairn.

Or a 5103? Low second hand prices for a great sounding pre amp.

On a different topic.. a question for those who have had power supply issues with the 5103. Is it possible to fit the PS from an Akurate Kontrol (or Exotik) into the 5103. There must be a few of these going round after the Dynamik promotion. Just a thought.

Paul

[qtws]

(2010-02-01 23:33)thedevilsbuilder Wrote:  

(2010-02-01 23:24)tokenbrit Wrote:  A 2100 would probably go better with an Exotik or a Majik pre, if your budget will stretch, of course, but you seem settled (set?) on a Kairn.

Or a 5103? Low second hand prices for a great sounding pre amp.

On a different topic.. a question for those who have had power supply issues with the 5103. Is it possible to fit the PS from an Akurate Kontrol (or Exotik) into the 5103. There must be a few of these going round after the Dynamik promotion. Just a thought.

Paul

5103 no phono!! Item No 150408818175 is a kairn, *bay seller is also selling a klout (is it ok to mention this on the forum? no connection, other than as a happy user of these items ;-)