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Another loudspeaker in this price range is Monitor Audio Gold 100 (around $1,700/pair), EISA award winner :-) ........
Analog sources: Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird turntable, Jelco TK-850L tonearm, AMG Giro G9 turntable with 9W tonearm; Hana ML, Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue moving-coil cartridges.
Digital sources: Apple Mac mini computer running Audirvana Plus. HoloAudio Spring "Kitsuné Tuned Edition" Level 3 D/A processor.
Preamplification: EMIA Phono step-up transformer; Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ and Tavish Design Adagio phono preamplifiers; PrimaLuna EVO 400 line-level preamplifier.
Power amplifiers: Line Magnetic LM-518 integrated amplifier (used as a basic amplifier), PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium, Pass Laboratories XA25, Rogue Audio Stereo 100.
Loudspeakers: KEF LS50, Magnepan .7.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Cinnamon (USB), Kimber Kable D60 Data Flex Studio (coax). Interconnect: Auditorium 23, Triode Wire Labs Spirit. Speaker: Auditorium 23, AudioQuest GO-4. AC: AudioQuest Tornado.
Accessories: AudioQuest Niagara 1000 power conditioner; Harmonic Resolution Systems M3X-1719-AMG GR LF isolation platform; Sound Anchor Reference speaker stands.Herb Reichert
Another loudspeaker in this price range is Monitor Audio Gold 100 (around $1,700/pair), EISA award winner :-) ........
… will never spend anywhere near the equivalent price of a new car for an audio system, really need? For $1,200 one can buy a pair of speakers that not only “merge a refined, elegantly detailed, full-range sound with a magnetic personality that [makes you] want to play records” but also offer “excellent measured performance”.
Regarding measurements, IMO JA1 should have (also) measured the speakers using the particular amps – especially the tube amps - that HR used for his listening evaluation. As seen in the Klipschorn review, the use of an amp with a non-negligible output impedance can have a significant effect upon the overall frequency response of the connected speakers.
It’s a bit unfortunate that HR did not also listen to the Lintons using amps more in keeping with their price. While choosing amps that are thought not to present a limiting factor is a valid premise, how many users are likely to match a $1,200 pair of speakers with a $5,000 amp (or even $3,500) - let alone a $5,000 phono cartridge? Plus, for the music lovers - as opposed to the audiophiles or equipment enthusiasts - of my acquaintance, a tube amp is a non-starter just as would be a tube-type TV. It would have been informative to determine by what increment the performance of the Linton might have been reduced by driving them with a sub $1,000 integrated amp, such as the Yamaha A-S801 or the Marantz PM-7005. Both amps are capable of over 100W into a 4 ohm load, have both phono and digital inputs and have tone controls that could be useful in adjusting the bass response of the Linton.
Coincidentally, perhaps, the Linton Heritage is approximately the same size as the original Advent speaker that was part of my first audio system and $1,200 is about what the price of a pair of those Advents would equate to today when adjusted for inflation.
Another integrated amp which could also be considered is the new Parasound NewClassic 200 with Class-D output ...... About $1,200 :-) ........
... for an extra $300 (or more) that the Yamaha or Marantz amps might lack?
John Curl design ...... May be worth it :-) .......
... class D power amp modules from Pascal Audio.
Did JC design them?
Most likely he was involved in designing the other parts of the component, such as the pre-amp section ....... Most likely he also listened to the final product and compared it's sound quality with his conventional design integrated, HINT6 :-) .........
May be also, less heat :-) .......
Also, the SVS Prime Wireless Soundbase ($500) could be considered ....... Class-D output and Wi-Fi/BT connectivity ....... See AudioStream :-) .......
"Coincidentally, perhaps, the Linton Heritage is approximately the same size as the original Advent speaker that was part of my first audio system and $1,200 is about what the price of a pair of those Advents would equate to today when adjusted for inflation."
So, you are implying we should try 'stacked Lintons!'
;-D
I would love that!
Glad, you didn't say stacked Clintons :-) ........
... side-by-side, which is how the local Advent dealer had them on display, driven by a McIntosh MC2105 amplifier.
Both examples of C-Lintons may look better side by side, rather than stacked :-) ..........
Stacked Advents bring back a lot of memories. I actually got to experience this setup back in 1978 driven by a Kenwood integrated. I felt like I was at stadium rock concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERYJg3PBJys&feature=youtu.be
doug s.
Size wise more like my old beloved Boston Acoustics A70's, 2 way suspension design that wouldn't get very loud but sure were sweet.
Comeau is on the right track here, I never did warm to the narrow towers sound. Still using old modded Advent Legacy II's as my every days, yet to hear a more modern design that was worth the coin for the upgrade. (< 1500 a pair with strict placement options).
Would be good to see more modern designs emerge with wider baffles/acoustic suspension designs.
Bobber05, I just picked up a pair of aDs L500 (ca. 1975) this weekend and I couldn't agree more about wanting to see more wide baffle/acoustic suspension designs, and paper cones.
The aDs are very smooth/sweet sounding, with full-bodied vocals. I've been eye-balling the Lintons for quite some time and came back here b/c of the aDs' sound. They make me wonder what a similar designed 3-way would sound like.
It looks like the frequency response of the Lintons is akin to similar sized Spendors and Harbeths, but far more affordable. The boosted bass is my main hesitation; maybe will have to consider using tone controls.
Cheers!
Jbreezy5
Sorry, off-topic of this review but...
In a Stereophile show report not long ago John Atkinson wrote that there was to be a follow-up review of the Joseph Audio Pulsars, now the "Graphene 2" version. Will you be doing that follow-up? Or will it perhaps be Michael Fremer?
did a Pulsar followup a couple issues back
herb
JA1 did a follow-up review of Perspective2 Graphene, couple of issues back ......... not, Pulsar2 Graphene :-) .........
I DID do a Pulsar followup
but it seems like a long time ago
(you know with me you always need a fact-checker)
sorry
herb
Yes, you did a Pulsar follow-up ....... But, that was previous generation ....... The current model is Pulsar2 Graphene ....... RH was referring to the current model ........ May be you could do another follow-up of the current generation Pulsar2 Graphene? :-) ..........
JA did the new Perspective 2s, not the Pulsars.
Cheers.
it seems that comeau has tried to rebuild the splendor sp1 on the cheap.considering the cost of the harbeth and spendor versions, to name but two current uk built iterations it would be useful to know if he has succeeded.
Now I am a LOT MORE interested.
and did not care for the sound. They look great and I'm sure will sell quite well- a great move by Wharfdale to fill a void in the speaker market and appear like a more affordable "Harbeth" type of monitor.
As for the sound- my ears prefer the KEF LS50 or used Harbeth P3ESR by a British country mile.....
Herb, the Stravinsky disc you used in the review is truly of demonstration quality as I got a copy today and was amazed at how great it sounded. Any other records you can recommend for demos that are easy to find and cheap?
I actually own the Wharfedale Denton 85 and as far as my small listening room is concerned it is as good as IT gets. I hope Stereophile will run a comparison between the Linton and the Denton 85 to explore the myth that a " good big one always beats a good small one "
This is an ideal opportunity to do this as the 2 models are designed by the same and highly competent engineer and use the same tweeter.
Unlike the Linton you can place the the Denton right against the rear wall and still get tight well controlled bass ....
Hello,
thank you for all great reviews.
I like this speakers, but are they neutral, transparent enough for acoustic and classic music ? I'm afraid they can add some their "personality" to sound ? Or are they clean and without own character ?
Would be new amp and streamer Marantz PM7000N good partner for Lintons ?
I prefer listening on low volume levels, I never listen loudly, so I need some speakers that are able to play quiet more than loud. How good are Lintons in this area ? Are there some better speakers (up to $1500-2000) for low level listening of acoustic, vocal and opera, baroque and classical music, for jazz and rock, world music ?
I heard some common speakers but I was not sold on them at all - it was mostly not able to play at lower levels, sound lack color and timbre, was too shouty, I was tired very quickly and missed emotions of music .. I'm looking for more full, natural, easy flowing and clean sound, with texture and timbre of instruments and voice.
Are Lintons suitable for small rooms (15-20m2) and less than 2m stereo base ?
Can somebody answer my questions please ? :)