I'm still casting around for just the right amplification for my Linn speakers (Ninkas up front), but with a series of requirements that are probably all but incompatible: I'm really hooked on inner detail resolution, quick rhythm and pacing, black-as-night noise floor, and I prefer a slight forward lean without being harsh or grainy, great soundstage, and can't tolerate bugs or quirks or reliability problems, plus I'd prefer not having to throw anything out when making the switch to H/T. (I can't have an all-music system in a separate room, not enough space.)
I thought I had this problem licked with a Naim Nait5i (which can be set to function as the front amp channels in an HT system) but the Nait is just a tad too small and more than a tad too quirky and buggy. But the Nait is as close as I've gotten so far.
About six months ago I had a Linn AV-5105 that didn't impress, particularly at the bottom-end, where I heard a distinct lack of control, but after trying Naim and Arcam and Rotel, I find myself gravitating back to Linn for another chance, specifically with designs on trying either an LK-140 (which I could replicate ad infinitum as my system expanded, including with Aktiv boards), or an AV-5125, which carries the distinct advantage of being all five channels in one gulp.
I'd probably pull the trigger on a pre-owned AV-5125 but at least one member of a different forum said the AV-5125 sounded tizzy in the high registers, especially with percussion sibilants such as symbols and snare drums.
Other possibilities (stereo *or* multichannel, all lumped together here) include EAD, McCormack, Odyssey, NuForce, or, at the very limit of even the pre-owned budget, Pass Labs. The NuForce 9.02's seem interesting, but I doubt I could afford five of them, even pre-owned, so the center and rear channels would have to be something lesser.
Any thoughts y'all have would be greatly appreciated; the members in here have always been generous with me in the department of rendering thoughtful and well-tailored advice.
I'm still casting around for just the right amplification for my Linn speakers (Ninkas up front), but with a series of requirements that are probably all but incompatible: I'm really hooked on inner detail resolution, quick rhythm and pacing, black-as-night noise floor, and I prefer a slight forward lean without being harsh or grainy, great soundstage, and can't tolerate bugs or quirks or reliability problems, plus I'd prefer not having to throw anything out when making the switch to H/T. (I can't have an all-music system in a separate room, not enough space.)
I thought I had this problem licked with a Naim Nait5i (which can be set to function as the front amp channels in an HT system) but the Nait is just a tad too small and more than a tad too quirky and buggy. But the Nait is as close as I've gotten so far.
About six months ago I had a Linn AV-5105 that didn't impress, particularly at the bottom-end, where I heard a distinct lack of control, but after trying Naim and Arcam and Rotel, I find myself gravitating back to Linn for another chance, specifically with designs on trying either an LK-140 (which I could replicate ad infinitum as my system expanded, including with Aktiv boards), or an AV-5125, which carries the distinct advantage of being all five channels in one gulp.
I'd probably pull the trigger on a pre-owned AV-5125 but at least one member of a different forum said the AV-5125 sounded tizzy in the high registers, especially with percussion sibilants such as symbols and snare drums.
Other possibilities (stereo *or* multichannel, all lumped together here) include EAD, McCormack, Odyssey, NuForce, or, at the very limit of even the pre-owned budget, Pass Labs. The NuForce 9.02's seem interesting, but I doubt I could afford five of them, even pre-owned, so the center and rear channels would have to be something lesser.
Any thoughts y'all have would be greatly appreciated; the members in here have always been generous with me in the department of rendering thoughtful and well-tailored advice.