Amplifier for Wharfedale Linton, budget $ 1,300

[kaffe]

@kaffe ufff use direct not pure direct mode. What did I told you exactly between the pretty good to good enough performance it really is like that but on another side use of DSP room correction or without it is definitely DSP.

That I also expect to do, but I am still curious how the phrasing in the manual is to be understood as per the doubt I mentioned.

I expect to buy Dirac Live for my MacBook Pro within the next couple of months. Should be able to connect the laptop to the amp via USB-C > USB-B. Hopefully there won't be some data loss or some such damn thing in that case which makes it necessary to use another DAC for conversion

 

[DanielT]

But other types of music may be more "revealing", albeit I probably still won't be able to tell any difference.

It can be so IF the conditions for it exist. Then with extremely dynamic music, at really high volume. Then your home HiFi solution is fucxxx
But on the other hand, as you said, you don't play at high volume.And then I'm talking about really high volume.

PA exist for a reason. They are made to play at high volumes. If home HiFi could handle it, the PA stuff would not have been needed.

Not to mention live music. There is no electronic solution that can cope with that dynamic. Imagine listening to this in place:

 

[ZolaIII]

That I also expect to do, but I am still curious how the phrasing in the manual is to be understood as per the doubt I mentioned.

I expect to buy Dirac Live for my MacBook Pro within the next couple of months. Should be able to connect the laptop to the amp via USB-C > USB-B. Hopefully there won't be some data loss or some such damn thing in that case which makes it necessary to use another DAC for conversion

I don't really know how's the USB audio support on the OSX this day's as I don't use it. So that's question for someone else input is USBA 2.0 and 1.0 backwards compatible as usual.

 

[JustJones]

• When using Pure Direct, transmissions to the MusicCast Network are not available, except the audio of network content and Bluetooth devices.

Can someone please explain to me how this is supposed to be understood? As I read it you can still stream with Airplay via WiFi, for example.

Airplay doesn't use the MusicCast Network. Look under Airplay on page 72 of the manual.

( AirPlay audio cannot be transmitted to the MusicCast Network.

 

[Golf]

Another great advantage of the R-N800A: It even comes with radio tuners. Not only FM but also AM. So in case of a national emergency you will have a good chance to receive quite important emergency information broadcasts just in time before it’s too late. While your neighbors with decent 2-ch stereo gear just go on listening to great sounding music instead

 

[ZolaIII]

It can be so IF the conditions for it exist. Then with extremely dynamic music, at really high volume. Then your home HiFi solution is fucxxx
But on the other hand, as you said, you don't play at high volume.And then I'm talking about really high volume.

PA exist for a reason. They are made to play at high volumes. If home HiFi could handle it, the PA stuff would not have been needed.

Not to mention live music. There is no electronic solution that can cope with that dynamic. Imagine listening to this in place:

Had a felling you are about to start building a transformer station in your back yard. What's more shocking to me is when people in tugh and rugh climate with high humidity and temperature look you funny when you propose them such with very good cooling and quality, capacity and adequate.

 

[DanielT]

Had a felling you are about to start building a transformer station in your back yard. What's more shocking to me is when people in tugh and rugh climate with high humidity and temperature look you funny when you propose them such with very good cooling and quality, capacity and adequate.

Heh heh, but indoors then?

 

[kaffe]

Airplay doesn't use the MusicCast Network. Look under Airplay on page 72 of the manual.

Great. In that case I should be clear no matter how the phrase is to be understood. Still curious what limitations Pure Direct cause in relation to MusicCast Network though.

 

[Michael_B]

Apologies if this has been suggested elsewhere in the thread, but I’m driving my Lintons with a Schiit Aegir and they sound great.
No graphs or measurements but plenty of detail, good soundstage and separation, not fatiguing.
And sounds better than the same speakers and sources (below) fed into a Marantz PM6006 or a PS Audio Sprout II.
Sources: Bluesound Node into RME ADI-2 DAC or Rega 6 w/ Rega Ania MC cartridge into Cambridge Duo phono stage.
They can’t play super-loud (if that’s a need, then you could buy another and run them in mono) but to my ears, they make music very easy to listen to.

 

[Angsty]

Apologies if this has been suggested elsewhere in the thread, but I’m driving my Lintons with a Schiit Aegir and they sound great.
No graphs or measurements but plenty of detail, good soundstage and separation, not fatiguing.
And sounds better than the same speakers and sources (below) fed into a Marantz PM6006 or a PS Audio Sprout II.
Sources: Bluesound Node into RME ADI-2 DAC or Rega 6 w/ Rega Ania MC cartridge into Cambridge Duo phono stage.
They can’t play super-loud (if that’s a need, then you could buy another and run them in mono) but to my ears, they make music very easy to listen to.

The Aegir tested fine, but is quite power-limited, even in mono. The Vidar does better on that point.

Review and Measurements of Schiit Aegir PWR Amplifier

This is a review and measurements of the Schiit Aegir stereo Power (speaker) amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member who has been patiently waiting since August for its review! The Aegir is sold direct by Schiit and costs US $799 plus shipping. The Aegir is very heavy, substantial and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[mglobe]

Apologies if this has been suggested elsewhere in the thread, but I’m driving my Lintons with a Schiit Aegir and they sound great.
No graphs or measurements but plenty of detail, good soundstage and separation, not fatiguing.
And sounds better than the same speakers and sources (below) fed into a Marantz PM6006 or a PS Audio Sprout II.
Sources: Bluesound Node into RME ADI-2 DAC or Rega 6 w/ Rega Ania MC cartridge into Cambridge Duo phono stage.
They can’t play super-loud (if that’s a need, then you could buy another and run them in mono) but to my ears, they make music very easy to listen to.

Also the OP is in Denmark I believe. Schiit gear is likely difficult/expensive to get.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

Also the OP is in Denmark I believe. Schiit gear is likely difficult/expensive to get.

There is a Schiit Europe page-->

Home - Schiit Europe

Schiit Europe official retailer for Schiit Audio products in Europe. Here you can buy Magni, Modi, Bifrost etc full warranty and service...

www.schiit-europe.com

I find their products in general expensive for what you get. OP might think differently.

 

[kaffe]

There is a Schiit Europe page-->

Home - Schiit Europe

Schiit Europe official retailer for Schiit Audio products in Europe. Here you can buy Magni, Modi, Bifrost etc full warranty and service...

www.schiit-europe.com

I find their products in general expensive for what you get. OP might think differently.

Already went with the Yamaha R-N800A. I’ll give it a chance and see how it it works out.

 

[Deleted member 48726]

Already went with the Yamaha R-N800A. I’ll give it a chance and see how it it works out.

I'm sure it will be a good match.

 

[djb]

Interesting how this thread resolved for the initial poster. I've been following closely since I also want to upgrade the amplifier for my Linton's and am more undecided than ever. The Yamaha 701 seems like a good match asthetically and sound wise. Also looking at Cambridge axr100.



May I ask your opinions? I have a Denon dra697 with pre-outs and a Schiit Modi dac. Would you get an integrated amp or just use the Denon as a preamp with an upgraded external amp like an Emotiva basx A2 and later upgrade to a better preamp?

 

[Golf]

Given the budget, my first rough idea would definitely be to find the best 2-channel integrated amplifier available for $ 1,000, while the remaining $ 300 could go for a suitable streaming device.

My second option would be to find a good combination of these two instead. Nevertheless, there don’t seem to be too many of them in the market. Maybe:

• Marantz PM7000N

• NAD C700

• Cambridge Audio Evo 75

(I don’t recommend them, but would have a close look at them, as they probably fit in the budget)

 

[mwlf]

Waiting for the Lintons to be back in stock here (2-3 weeks), and will order a pair (black ash).
Now it comes the hard part - what amp to pair with them? i listen jazz (mostly vocal covers), 60-70 rock, generally enjoyable music, at low to medium volumes; i am not interested to sound precise and detailed, i want to sound musical and likeable (around 50y).
I see here most prefer yamaha with lintons; so my current list to test at dealer:
- yamaha: as 701, as 1200, as 2200
- audiolab: 9000a
- leak
- and some used options: luxman 507uxII or ux; yamaha as3200
for those amps without dac, i will test with chord qutest
streamer: most probably bluesound (now i have a melco streamer, but i don't think it's woth to keep it, i better sell it)

what do you think?

 

[Deleted member 48726]

Waiting for the Lintons to be back in stock here (2-3 weeks), and will order a pair (black ash).
Now it comes the hard part - what amp to pair with them? i listen jazz (mostly vocal covers), 60-70 rock, generally enjoyable music, at low to medium volumes; i am not interested to sound precise and detailed, i want to sound musical and likeable (around 50y).
I see here most prefer yamaha with lintons; so my current list to test at dealer:
- yamaha: as 701, as 1200, as 2200
- audiolab: 9000a
- leak
- and some used options: luxman 507uxII or ux; yamaha as3200
for those amps without dac, i will test with chord qutest
streamer: most probably bluesound (now i have a melco streamer, but i don't think it's woth to keep it, i better sell it)

what do you think?

Well. I would think you would find much information in this very thread.

 

[Svend P]

Waiting for the Lintons to be back in stock here (2-3 weeks), and will order a pair (black ash).
Now it comes the hard part - what amp to pair with them? i listen jazz (mostly vocal covers), 60-70 rock, generally enjoyable music, at low to medium volumes; i am not interested to sound precise and detailed, i want to sound musical and likeable (around 50y).
I see here most prefer yamaha with lintons; so my current list to test at dealer:
- yamaha: as 701, as 1200, as 2200
- audiolab: 9000a
- leak
- and some used options: luxman 507uxII or ux; yamaha as3200
for those amps without dac, i will test with chord qutest
streamer: most probably bluesound (now i have a melco streamer, but i don't think it's woth to keep it, i better sell it)

what do you think?

They will all sound the same. No difference in blind tests. Read this from page 80 and onward

https://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-HiFI-Stereo/80s/HiFi-Stereo-Review-1987-01.pdf

 

[DanielT]

They will all sound the same. No difference in blind tests. Read this from page 80 and onward

https://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-HiFI-Stereo/80s/HiFi-Stereo-Review-1987-01.pdf

If you don't want them to sound different:

Denon PMA-600NE Integrated Amplifier Review

Is he referring to the sub-out or the recorder output? Good question. I’d guess that the »PRE OUT SUBWOOFER« output can’t be used for a proper DAC evaluation. It does not even deliver a 2-ch/left-right signal.

audiosciencereview.com

Edit:
Incidentally, that pdf you refer to I have read before. Very interesting.
Now I remember, see #116.