NAC552, Akiva & lingo - what a weekend!
Posted by: FangfossFlyer on 29 May 2003
NAC552, Akiva and new Lingo: A weekend to tempt me!
Last weekend the Sound Organisation (York), many thanks guys and especially David!, came round to let me hear and borrow some new kit: the new Lingo, Akiva and NAC552!
Just for the record I have an LP12/Ekos/Arkiv-II/Lingo with a Prefix/HiCap (no CD player – I can’t stand that digital hash!) feeding a NAC52 with an active 2*250 system and SBLs. Now the NAC52 has been my best upgrade ever so I was waiting in anticipation for the 552 ---- how could it be that much better!
First of all the new Lingo – well surprise, surprise it made a real difference and improved the overall sound quality with better base and a smoother feeling. Its Effect was like ‘tidying things up’ ----- I was impressed and thought I will upgrade my Lingo after all at it’s price it is a real bargain!
Then the Akiva, bearing in mind my latest Arkiv II (boron) is really the best cartridge I have had – I love it (although I loved the Troika over 10 years ago!). Well the Akiva was even better ---- it did the same as the Lingo but even more. The music flowed ----- the system had real pace and my jaws dropped to the floor…I heard lyrics correctly for the 1st time!!!!…. I must have one I thought!!!!!
Then the moment of the NAC552, after reverting back to my Arkiv and Lingo. Bearing in mind the 552 hadn’t warmed up the immediate impression was one of a much more 3D sound (like when I added a Supercap to a NAC82…but even more)…...vocals were cleared and had more soul. I could almost see the facial movements of the singers. Base lines clearer and acoustic guitars were well just acoustic guitars… beautiful…… realistic…. you could hear the individual strings in a chord and how they were struck. And when I played some real flowing music I was just grooving…now my 52 grooves but the 552 does it even more! Interesting but weird…. on Saturday evening (24 hours later) the sound seemed to harden up and become tiring and I had a moment of doubt but by Sunday it was just …well…right again and better.
I was fortunate enough to see Neil Young the previous weekend doing his acoustic set and the sound was perfection and really drew you into to Neil. At the time I felt no Hi-Fi could do this and even though my 52 is excellent it came sort of close when listening to Neil Young Unplugged. But with the 552 I had the same feeling and sensation as the concert…this is what impressed me most!
Now I would love to buy all three: the new Lingo, Akiva and 552! But my preference would be for the 552 first then the Akiva and if Ivor from Linn still his trade in on offer I would go for both the Arkiv the Lingo as the trade in would cover the cost of the Lingo…clever but good…nice one Ivor!
The 552 is a lot of money but extremely tempting and brings a smile to my face and nearly tears to my eyes with some music!
So I am speculating how much I would get for my 52 and Supercap (must keep an eye on e-Bay) and whether I can reach for the 552.
So you can tell I was impressed!
Richard
Last weekend the Sound Organisation (York), many thanks guys and especially David!, came round to let me hear and borrow some new kit: the new Lingo, Akiva and NAC552!
Just for the record I have an LP12/Ekos/Arkiv-II/Lingo with a Prefix/HiCap (no CD player – I can’t stand that digital hash!) feeding a NAC52 with an active 2*250 system and SBLs. Now the NAC52 has been my best upgrade ever so I was waiting in anticipation for the 552 ---- how could it be that much better!
First of all the new Lingo – well surprise, surprise it made a real difference and improved the overall sound quality with better base and a smoother feeling. Its Effect was like ‘tidying things up’ ----- I was impressed and thought I will upgrade my Lingo after all at it’s price it is a real bargain!
Then the Akiva, bearing in mind my latest Arkiv II (boron) is really the best cartridge I have had – I love it (although I loved the Troika over 10 years ago!). Well the Akiva was even better ---- it did the same as the Lingo but even more. The music flowed ----- the system had real pace and my jaws dropped to the floor…I heard lyrics correctly for the 1st time!!!!…. I must have one I thought!!!!!
Then the moment of the NAC552, after reverting back to my Arkiv and Lingo. Bearing in mind the 552 hadn’t warmed up the immediate impression was one of a much more 3D sound (like when I added a Supercap to a NAC82…but even more)…...vocals were cleared and had more soul. I could almost see the facial movements of the singers. Base lines clearer and acoustic guitars were well just acoustic guitars… beautiful…… realistic…. you could hear the individual strings in a chord and how they were struck. And when I played some real flowing music I was just grooving…now my 52 grooves but the 552 does it even more! Interesting but weird…. on Saturday evening (24 hours later) the sound seemed to harden up and become tiring and I had a moment of doubt but by Sunday it was just …well…right again and better.
I was fortunate enough to see Neil Young the previous weekend doing his acoustic set and the sound was perfection and really drew you into to Neil. At the time I felt no Hi-Fi could do this and even though my 52 is excellent it came sort of close when listening to Neil Young Unplugged. But with the 552 I had the same feeling and sensation as the concert…this is what impressed me most!
Now I would love to buy all three: the new Lingo, Akiva and 552! But my preference would be for the 552 first then the Akiva and if Ivor from Linn still his trade in on offer I would go for both the Arkiv the Lingo as the trade in would cover the cost of the Lingo…clever but good…nice one Ivor!
The 552 is a lot of money but extremely tempting and brings a smile to my face and nearly tears to my eyes with some music!
So I am speculating how much I would get for my 52 and Supercap (must keep an eye on e-Bay) and whether I can reach for the 552.
So you can tell I was impressed!
Richard