Linn Sara

Linn Sara's on the end of a pair of 135's will sound good.

They do good bass (if that is important to you) and for their price are a relative bargin.

You will be OK.

Regards

Mick

Jerry, they'll work but I suggest you consider other options.

given the typical depreciation experienced when selling used equipment on the second hand market, are you sure it will be worth it? I mean, the SL2's are a pretty new speaker, right? I'd try to hold onto them as long as possible.

Oh, btw, i've owned saras and appreciated their strengths. but i don't think you'll find they're in the same class as your SL2's...

Markus

Mick and Markus:
Thanks for the replies. I haven't decided to sell the SL2's just yet. But if I really need to free up some cash, I still may have to sell something to do so.
I thought maybe the speakers would be missed less than anything else. I have heard the Sara's years ago and was, at the time, favorably impressed with their musicality.

Markus:
What, in your opinion, would be the downside to the Sara's compared to the SL2's?

I used to have Linn SARA's - before Isobariks - and have just now got a pair of used SBL's on loan. The SBL's sound reminds me very much of the excitement my old SARA's used to give(as reliable as memory of speakers owned 12 years ago can be) I could be wrong, but maybe the SARA's had a little more bass ..... not really sure.
But whatever, I think they're still heaps better than 99% of speakers currently available for listening to real music. You'll be OK with them I'm sure.

I would characterize the Sara's as being somewhat rich--not boomy in the bass but with a lot of it. This can work well with some music.

One other consideration is that, as isobarik designs, as they get older they will be difficult, perhaps, to service. I think I paid something like $900 for my pair--they had hyquefon tweeters which apparently was one of the more sought after models. the cannon plugs in the back were a pain in the ass, pardon the expression. I sold mine back to the same guy i bought them from, after two or three years, for about $600, IIRC.
Mark

Hi Jerry

I ran Saras on 135's for many years.

Memory plays tricks. What you remember as a good sound in the past may disappoint now.

SL2's they ain't; and will sound shut-in and boxy (i.e. sound from a box) by comparison.

I still have a pair of Saras that I am reluctant to part with, retaining a certain affection for them.

The other thing to be wary of, is that only an expert will be able to tell if the Isobarik seal is intact and the rear drivers are working.

Saras sound a bit 'old-fashioned' by today's standards, but a good pair at the right price are well worth owning and using.

I am an SBL user and consider SL2's (although obviously better) to be over priced and ugly.

Thanks to all for the opinions and advice. Lots to consider before making a decision.
Personally, I think the SL2's look pretty good, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all, I guess.

Not strictly relevant to this thread, but FWIW the SL2s are the only loudspeakers with any suggestion of a curved surface, at any price, to which I would give house room.

With the SBL as a starting point, they illustrate perfectly the principles of "On the Origins of 'Speakers" sic. At least a possible 50% gain in all directions -- great stuff.

Well, apart from the cost anyway.

Best;

Mark

Hi,
I, by chance bought a pair of SBLs last week (bargain!!)and, having never heard them before immediately likened them to Linn Saras. Okay, the SBLs are much more open in the midrange but overall they have a similar type of sound which, in my opinion is preferable to most modern ported floorstanders, or Linns more recent offerings!

Jerry,

I have had the pleasure of both SL2's and Linn Sara's (I have a pair of Linn Sara 9's in my garage right now).

I would say that the Linn sara's wouldn't give much away to the Naim's. Ok the Naim have the edge on speed, transparancy and detail but the Linn's carry more authority. The Linn's have a serious bass line due to their Isobarik loading.

If I had to use a speaker as a stop gap I would gladly use Linn Sara's

Regards


NB

NB:
Thanks for the conparison of the 2 speakers. That helps a lot.
Jerry

Jerry,

One final thought, the Sara's respond to some serious amplifiication and 135's are perfect for them.

Regards


NB