Kans

Naim IBLs are a shoo-in.

Chris

Apart from the fine suggestion from Chris, i'd also suggest something like the Russell K 50's might work for you. On the other hand. if you really like the Kans, it might be worth giving them a bit of TLC and keeping them. At 30 years old it would be worth getting the crossovers checked out at least or with a bit more work, going active..

The IBLs really want a 250. SBLs and a 250 is what I'd get. 

RJ, Check out Efraim Roots' entry in SystemPics, from yesterday. You'll see you're in good company with a sorted front end...

Chris

Try some Neat speakers, namely the Motive SX1 or SX2. You will love either of them within the context of your system.

I had Kan Is in my system for 15 years, so I sympathise with your predicament. Once you get used to what Kans do well, it’s hard to give that up. I switched to Katans about 15 years ago, and I felt that was two steps forward and one step back: a more even-handed, natural presentation that suited a wider range of music, and a less fatiguing presentation, but also a little dull (I still have both pairs of speakers in my attic).

A couple of years ago I switched to ATC SCM7s and have been very happy with them. They seem to combine the virtues of the Kans and Katans without taking on any of their vices, although the ATC house sound is quite different. As with Kans, there appears to be no limit to the quality of signal they’ll do justice to, so they may well be the last pair of speakers I own. You should definitely add them to your shortlist. With your budget, you should also consider the SCM11 and SCM19, although both of those speakers are quite a bit bigger than your Kans, and neither of them likes to be hard against a back wall (my SCM7s are happy with a couple of inches clearance).

One caveat regarding the SCM7s is that they appear to be sensitive to stands (this may be true of all speakers, but both the Kans and Katans came with manufacturer-supplied stands). Conventional wisdom is that ATC speakers like a mass loaded stand, but I found this killed the tunefulness, and have been very happy with a pair of open frame Something Solid stands on Fraim Chips.

Good luck with the search, and please update us as you proceed.

Colm

Its a tough one because when it comes to speakers that 'boogie', the original Kans are pretty much in a league of their own. It's why so many of us have a pair somewhere that we can't let go even when we use bigger and in many other respects better speakers as our main speakers. 

IBLs are probably closest, but a bit different in flavour. A sideways step in many ways. N-SAts are a more modern and mature option. Preferable to both Kans and IBLs with a good digital source, but Kans really come into their own with the LP12 front end and beat out both IBL and N-Sats here. 

SBLs or SL2s are probably your best option. Maybe even consider going active. 

Hang on, that reminds me.. if you love Kans but want more of the same then there were active Kans. Quite rare though - one of the few pairs I heard lived in the Naim factory. No, ok, SBLs or SL2s..

I have Kan 1's too. I would add to the ATC recommendation -- I have SCM11s, and dont know the smaller SCM7. The 11 needs a bigger power amp than the mint Nait 1 that I use with the Kans. They rock with a 250DR

Looking at this again in the cold light of day, and reflecting on the alleged shoutiness of the Kans, I wonder if it might be be better to keep them and splash the cash on a NAC52 instead. I admit, however, I don't know the NAC52, only its reputation here on the forum, likewise the NAC42.5.

Chris

OP, I am a huge fan and advocate of the Linn Kan!  There is no other speaker quite like it.  Like you I tried a plethora of other speakers and went back to Kans time after time.

I still have my MKI Kans and will never sell them but for the last few months I have been thoroughly enjoying Yamaha NS1000s, almost as quick as the Kan but with much more scale, they might be just the thing for you.  As always, context of room and equipment, especially sources with the yammys need to be taken into account.

Regards, 

Mark

I am building a set of Mk1 Kans from Falcon Acoustics ..... except I am doing the cabinet slightly differently .... drivers are all matched (Linn one's  were not).  I am using 18mm ply cabinets with extensive bracing and 3mm lead lining ... the nasty Kan x over has been hard wired with polypropylene caps.... I am 3/4 way through build..... will let you know how I get on.... can't wait to get them going....

Richieroo posted:

I am building a set of Mk1 Kans from Falcon Acoustics ..... except I am doing the cabinet slightly differently .... drivers are all matched (Linn one's  were not).  I am using 18mm ply cabinets with extensive bracing and 3mm lead lining ... the nasty Kan x over has been hard wired with polypropylene caps.... I am 3/4 way through build..... will let you know how I get on.... can't wait to get them going....

Excellent - post some pics when completed 

Actually a bit surprised that I'm the only one suggesting upping the pre to have maximum control over the OP's NAP140 and Kans.

C.

Christopher_M posted:

Actually a bit surprised that I'm the only one suggesting upping the pre to have maximum control over the OP's NAP140 and Kans.

C.

I used Kans with an NAC52/NAP250 for many years and was very happy with the results. I found that the 52 tamed the Kans in a way that the 72 couldn't quite manage. Upgrading the preamp and keeping your Kans is definitely worth investigating.

Many years ago, I was at Sound Advice in Loughborough.  IIRC I was probably there to audition Linn Saras.  Either that or having my LP12 upgraded.

"Mr Ackroyd" was there and while I was waiting for the previous customer to finish with the audition room, I noticed that he was 'playing' with the system in the workshop, and as part of this, he swapped out the resident Linn Kans for a pair of his own new bookshelf speakers.  I don't know exactly what model, but my memory tells me that they were probably Royd Edens.  There was no doubt in my mind that the Royds outperformed the Kans.

I now use Naim nSats in my study rather than the Royd Edens I was using before, and I think the nSats are even better.  Still giving sterling service on the end of NDS/555DR/552DR/300DR.

I tried the Royd Edens too and they were quite lovely. On the end of my 72-HICAP/250 they were much more refined than the Kans, which, as I suggested in my earlier post, sounded somewhat unruly to my ears with anything less than the 52.

My first Naim, in 1983, was a 42, snaps, and 110, with Mk1 Kans and an LP12. After three months I swapped the 110 for a 250. It's what Kans need. After ten years with those Kans, I got some SBLs. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

My first Naim, in 1983, was a 42, snaps, and 110, with Mk1 Kans and an LP12. After three months I swapped the 110 for a 250. It's what Kans need. After ten years with those Kans, I got some SBLs. 

But how does that help though, Nigel, if the guy says he doesn't like the NAP250 and he doesn't like SBLs?

Chris

It helps no less than any of the other suggestions. I think a 250 is worth a go. 

Over to you RJC.

'Night All. C.

I have some early Kans - I tried them recently with my LP12 and 552/300 (both DR) and the musical results were very impressive.

I would agree that a NAP250 would have merit but I a 42.5/HiCap/110 for several years, and my inclination if in the OP's position, would be to go more source first.

Radikal and Tiger Paw Tranquility would be my call but if you want less "shouty" an Aro would help  if you can source one (although personally I would stick with the Ekos 2 with Kans as more hardcore).

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am really grateful for the advice. Speakers are a very thorny and individual taste subject.

To reply to some of the posts, I did hear IBLs many years ago and found them a bit thin sounding. I did try SBLs, but found that they did not play jazz well in the context of my system and my room. I have also listened to the Russell K Red 50s and although they are excellent I did not feel they were a significant upgrade from the Kans. I will have a listen to ATCs and Neat speakers next. I just wondered if there was a modern speaker that could out Kan the Kans. The Spendor D7s are very capable speakers, which sounded fantastic at the dealers, but in my system they did not quite have that boogie factor. 

On a different note, if it helps anyone, I have found the Linn Krystal cartridge to be excellent. I used Linn Klydes for many years and the Krystal builds on the musical strengths of the Klyde and is a big improvement. I did try a Dynavector XX2, which was excellent on bass, drum kit and female vocals, but for me it lacked emotion.  

rjc52 posted:

Speakers are a very thorny and individual taste subject.

Given the lengths of your dislikes list, what I don't get here is why the alleged shoutiness of the Kans is perceived to be a problem of the speakers themselves and not the acilliaries they are fed with. So I'm asking, why is it a speaker problem?

After all, there must be something you like about the Kans that's kept you with them for 30 years.

Chris

Christopher_M posted:

rjc52 posted:

Speakers are a very thorny and individual taste subject.

Given the lengths of your dislikes list, what I don't get here is why the alleged shoutiness of the Kans is perceived to be a problem of the speakers themselves and not the acilliaries they are fed with. So I'm asking, why is it a speaker problem?

 

Because its the nature of the Kans, fundamental to the design - some people love them (I don't underatand why), some hate them, and others, maybe the OP, have a love-hate relationship with them. Electronics can't change the fundamental character, though to some extent they might moderate it.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Christopher_M posted:

rjc52 posted:

Speakers are a very thorny and individual taste subject.

Given the lengths of your dislikes list, what I don't get here is why the alleged shoutiness of the Kans is perceived to be a problem of the speakers themselves and not the acilliaries they are fed with. So I'm asking, why is it a speaker problem?

 

Because its the nature of the Kans, fundamental to the design - some people love them (I don't underatand why), some hate them, and others, maybe the OP, have a love-hate relationship with them. Electronics can't change the fundamental character, though to some extent they might moderate it.

Yes, but if you upgrade upstream you should get a real musical improvement and speakers character becomes something much less relevant. Could be night and day differences with these kind of speakers really. It might be your best choice, I just love upgrading the LP12. You really should consider a Linn Radikal (with Urika?) IMHO, biggest improvement ever. Otherwise I personally I think Linn Majik 109 is a very good alternative speaker, put them on original stands and connect speaker wires to tweeter input (there is also super tweeter and bass inputs).