NBL's Vs BRIK"s Opinions Please

Brendan Price posted:

I had a pair of NBL's for years with CDS1 / LP12 / 52 / 3 x olive 250 . They have a scale and clarity which has to be heard to believe. I eventually replaced them with Isobariks. I find the Bariks more coloured , perhaps boxy , but they just seem to fill out the room with sound. I just seem to listen to them for longer without analysing the sound. The NBL's are absolutely ruthless.

I dont have the funds at the moment to investigate the 552 / active 300 or 500 route , and maybe this may change things a bit. I'll just slum it with my olive boxes for the foreseeable future.

 

Let the truth be known, you got the best of the best!

Take a look at these Pioneers:
We should examine the work of a bunch of pioneering guys – Peter Walker, Ivor Tiefenbrun, Julian Vereker, Bob Stuart, Mark Levinson, Dan D’Agostino, Ed Meitner, Dave Wilson, Alon Wolf and Yoav Geva. Who are these guys? 

This is just my take, but Ivor really had it going with the Linn/Naim Merger!

He pioneered the Front with the LP 12, which is still revered by many, in the Hi Fi Arena.

Well, Julian took care of the Middle, with that Foot Tapping PRAT, derived from meticulously designed amps!

And the infamous, colored Briks, stole the show. Sure they weren't perfect, but fun and enjoyable, and to Brendan's point, room filling without fatigue!

So Walker set the stage, Wilson highlighted this golden era, and Linn Capitalized with the Briks!

The Golden Age of Hi Fi!

Fast forward thirty years, you still cant miss!

An LP 12 taking care of the Front End, Julian dealing with the Middle, and whoever suits your taste, on the Tail End.

But here's the key, why pay 30K for the Tail End, and disregard the passive crossover, within the bias box!

IBLs, SBLs, NBLs, SL2s, DBLs, Julian Naim is noted for his Speakers, but he also benefited from the Pioneers!

And guess what, he was on the right track, with Naim's NBLs & SL2.

But if I was forced to live with a pair of Naim Speakers, Dibbles Please!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

With that being said, pay me no attention, I picked up my Briks in 1993, 3K USD!

Domestic Monitor Speakers, No!

Professional Monitor Speakers, NO!

But the latest version, with the Crossovers designed within the Stands, and the Brick Built Casing, with the improved Voiced Blend of Drivers!

2nd System, non- Naim, keeps one grounded!

Primare PRE 30>Arcam P1 Mono Blocks/ 

Vienna Acoustics Baby Grands

Apologies to the OP, no hands on experience with the ruthless NBLs!

Allante93!

PS. Naim Debuts its Reference CDP:

2007 CES Show!

CD 555>282>Snaxo> 3 x 250.2s > DBLs

Yes , I'd love to hear well set up DBL's. That would be interesting.

BTW , I agree with the comments about upgrading the sources. They would all be bottlenecks in your setup.

A local hifi mate here  with Isobariks recently tried a new turntable stand and we couldnt believe the difference. His last 3 upgrades were for his LP12.

He's running his with a lowly CB Nap250. Sounds pretty good to me.

Brendan Price posted:

Yes , I'd love to hear well set up DBL's. That would be interesting.

BTW , I agree with the comments about upgrading the sources. They would all be bottlenecks in your setup.

A local hifi mate here  with Isobariks recently tried a new turntable stand and we couldnt believe the difference. His last 3 upgrades were for his LP12.

He's running his with a lowly CB Nap250. Sounds pretty good to me.

A friend of mine is using active Isobariks with 3 Anthem power amps. He too has been messing around with upgrades to his LP12, including stands, and a Linn Pre amp/streamer. We also replaced the old tweeters with new equivalents. Now that was a change! And for the better. The tweeter change was sort of forced, as one had stopped and we couldn't get originals. But there are a few guys selling SEAS DT25 equivalents, (and yes there are heaps of variants, I used to be a SEAS importer). For the dollars we paid it was an worthwile improvement.

And it all sounds very impressive. Audio memory is fickle, my recollection my active Briks is just too far back. But his set up takes me back.

listener72 posted:

What are the thoughts of NBL's VS Brik"s.

{My Briks's are old} 

but really sound wonderful. NBL's are available, is the plunge likely to be a happy one?????

Just curious,  listener72, which Briks do you own? 

DMS, PMS, or post 1988?

Linn History:

Speaker, Major Upgrade: Addition of KU-STONE ceramic absorber, units and back now sealed with gaskets instead of silicone, improved cabinet bracing (Upgrade not retrofittable) Dec. 1991 8293/4
======================

Crossover: New 4 ohm external fitted in stand. Facility for tri-wiring. DMS no longer made as PMS can be used with either passive (4 ohm) or Aktiv crossover. 1988 6701/2

======================

Treble Unit: Cosmetic improvement. Fitted with countersunk screws. Sept.1987 6201/2

======================

Cabinet: Crossover now in bottom of speaker - accessible from underneath. Facility for converting easily to tri-wiring or to active. 1987 5575/6

======================

Midrange Units: Improved rubber surround to harder rubber. Apr.1986 4953/4

======================

Cabinet: Construction
improved (internal sealing and damping) Dec. 1985 4825/6

Crossover/Treble Units: Improved pcb with wider tracks and better layout. Treble units also changed to give a smoother response. Linn logo incorporated on front plate. May 1984 3939/40

Bass/Midrange Units: Sound deadening material painted on bass and midrange units. Mar.1983 3000/1

Cabinet: Changed from chipboard to MDF and veneered on both sides. Jan. 1982 2859/60

Treble Unit: Fitted with t-nuts. Oct. 1981 2741/2

Wiring: Changed internally to common earth at cannon socket. Mar. 1980 11,035/6

Treble Unit: Scanspeak treble unit replaced with Hiquphon unit. Recognised by two concentric rings on unit. Feb. 1980 10,925/6
Midrange Unit: Vented. Nov. 1979 10,800/1

Damping: Midrange enclosure and cabinet damping changed. Sep. 1978 10283/4

====================

1976, Linn Debuts it's Isobariks!

Repeat:

Take a look at these Pioneers:
We should examine the work of a bunch of pioneering guys – Peter Walker, Ivor Tiefenbrun, Julian Vereker, Bob Stuart, Mark Levinson, Dan D’Agostino, Ed Meitner, Dave Wilson, Alon Wolf and Yoav Geva. Who are these guys? 

LP 12, A No-Brainer

Naim Electronics, A No-Brainer

But Speakers do your homework!

BTW, Kudos to Signals!

That's a lot Cash, if one is contemplating, going Active, and disregarding the XO!

My Choice, would be, SL2s, DBLs, or the infamous Briks!

Naim finally got it right, but it took time, Julian claim to fame was not the Speaker!

Likewise, it took Linn over a ten year period, to perfect their Bricks! {Briks}

Funny thing, as soon as manufacture appears to get it right, discontinuation due to lack of sales!

Just my two cents!

Hope it was informative.

Allante93!

PS.

Ovators

CD 555

I guess, it's the nature of the Capitalistic Beast!

Brendan Price posted:

Yes , I'd love to hear well set up DBL's. That would be interesting.

 

if you are near cambridge uk, drop me a line

Brendan Price posted:

Yes , I'd love to hear well set up DBL's. That would be interesting.

DBL is great if you've got the right room for it.

The problem with owning any of Naim legacy speakers is that they no longer have the drivers ( especially those nifty midrange ones ) So if you've blown them, it can be costly or you'll end up with  boat anchors.

kuma posted:

Brendan Price posted:

Yes , I'd love to hear well set up DBL's. That would be interesting.

DBL is great if you've got the right room for it.

The problem with owning any of Naim legacy speakers is that they no longer have the drivers ( especially those nifty midrange ones ) So if you've blown them, it can be costly or you'll end up with  boat anchors.

"Linn History:

Speaker, Major Upgrade: Addition of KU-STONE ceramic absorber, units and back now sealed with gaskets instead of silicone, improved cabinet bracing (Upgrade not retro-fittable) {Dec. 1991 8293/4}"

Wow, didn't realize it was that many BRIKIES, on board!

So Ku-stone is an ceramic absorber, I thought it was that piece of slate looking material on top of My Briks! SN: 75XX/?

Also, what does the /4,2,... etc..

Represent after the SN?

Anyone!

Alante93!

I can't get over how much help I am getting.

Thank you all.

The Briks are 5275's.

Richard is correct with the turntable, although here the Luxman was quite a lot less expensive than a Linn.  It is a work of art, very well engineered and I am the only owner from new, so it is in as new condition. It really has not had that much work either as I only have a few hundred records, and it is only played on Sunday mornings.

Interesting that someone liked my reply but the same reply has vanished.  Any idea what displeased the mods??

Peter

Just to finish off, I am staying with the Briks.

I am now thinking about an NDS and a Superline though, I really should not but I am.

We will see how the new house goes then decide.

I notice the Australian dealer has dropped the price of the big focals by $30,000, he will have to do  more than that for us to be looking at focals though!!

listener72 posted:

I can't get over how much help I am getting.

Thank you all.

The Briks are 5275's.

Richard is correct with the turntable, although here the Luxman was quite a lot less expensive than a Linn.  It is a work of art, very well engineered and I am the only owner from new, so it is in as new condition. It really has not had that much work either as I only have a few hundred records, and it is only played on Sunday mornings.

 

Could we assume also you just play restful music? Just joking, Isobariks just live for mad listening sessions. I keep getting twinges every time I hear my friend's set up. But consider looking at your tweeters. Not much cost, and even if your little toys have had mild use, 30 years just sitting around will have effects with doped dome tweeters.

It's true that Linn used to match driver sets, but a set of modern day replacements still works fine. And being active you can tweek your levels in the cross over.

Had Isobariks since 1982 and always loved the sound but 5 years ago decided to update the drives.

Scanspeak Treble D2905/9700
Monacor Midrange units SPH-135EP
Keltik Base units

so much better in every way but still have that Isobarik sound

I have my eyes on;

Treble Scanspeak D2908/14000

Mid Scanspeak 15WU/8741T00

Not cheap but apparently a big improvement on the originals. Really could do with a better pair cosmetically too.

Marksnaim posted:

I have my eyes on;

Treble Scanspeak D2908/14000

Mid Scanspeak 15WU/8741T00

Not cheap but apparently a big improvement on the originals. Really could do with a better pair cosmetically too.

Mark, which year do you have?

I'm (1988) SN 75XX. 6701/2

(1991) last year!  8293/4

Stop manufacturing them in (1992)

What does the /2 & /4, represent after the SN?

I wanted to upgrade mine, my dealer looked at me and said, why!

The same Dealer, I bought them from in 1993!

His business partner, owned my pair.

Tanks they are!

Hence, built like Bricks!

If it ain't Broke, why fix!

I must admit, 24 years of meticulous care!

Out!

Allante93!

PS. shared info.

Madisound Speaker Components

8608 University Green

P.O.Box 44283

Madison

WI 53744, United States

Tel: (1) 608-831-3433

Fax: (1) 608-831-3771

E-mail: info@madisound.com

URL: www.madisound.com

RE: Isobarik improvements over the years

I would say that of the revisions made, the one to a smoother treble unit was a retrograde step., certainly as far as the music goes.

I feel that the change to the Hiquaphon unit was made at the behest of dealers who found customers complaining of "agressive treble".

One thing that this speaker was and still is, above all else, is "revealing". I believe this harsh treble was down to the limitations of the LP12 at that time. You only have to hear the difference between the Vanilla Radikal and the Dynamik, to appreciate just how much hash was being picked up from the Valhallas and Lingos of the time.

By removing the excellent Scanspeak tweeter, which was really “ telling it like it was”, and replacing it with a "smooth" unit, then musically speaking, Baby was well and truly chucked out with the bathwater.

That Scanspeak D2008 was a much better tweeter, and if you now have a Radikal Dynamiked SE you will hear why.

Of course things don't stand still and today anyone looking to upgrade their Briks should investigate the new D2008 851200 Ferrofluid damped version from Scanspeak's classic range.

Capable of handling 150 Watts RMS continously, it is on a totally different musical level to the earlier units. It can resolve miniscule detail, that you have never been aware of before...............and it is clean. It is incredibly musical, reproducing brass and percussion as well as human voice, in fact everything, better than you’ve ever heard.

It will be the biggest single improvement you could ever make, to what I believe is, still, one of the best speakers ever built on this planet. Cost is around £60 per unit, but for the money it’s a giveaway.

They are 6422 and 6423 Allante. But the tweeters and mid range units were refreshed a few years back before I bought them. Although they sound fantastic I am reliably informed by the person who renovated this pair that the Scanspeak replacements make a huge difference to the clarity without upsetting the character od the Isobarik. You have to wonder how much of that character comes from the driver layout and cabinet construction and not from the actual drive units. Maybe that is the case with many speakers. I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms with that musing from people far more knowledgable than I in speaker design.

All that being said I'm so happy with where I am at the moment that I really don't feel any huge desire to change anything. I have a NAT01 to add when I finally get the house rebuilding done and then need to add a decent set of supports. Probably Fraim but will try to audition other options. With all that to look forward to, changes to the Briks is a way down the priority list.

Best regards, Mark.

.... oh, Radikal.... damn

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know of any sources for replacement grills for the Linn Isobarik speakers in 2017?

Thanks,

Bruce

Check out  the usual auction site. The guy that does Isobarik upgrades can supply grills. Not cheap but good.

bdnyc posted:

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know of any sources for replacement grills for the Linn Isobarik speakers in 2017?

Thanks,

Bruce

 

 

 

Well, let me see picked mine up in 1993, that's nearly a quarter century!

Tried sanding repairing etc..

Didn't look bad, just sounded better in the raw!

I remember Sonnas Faber, I think, doing a strings of nylon threads, as not to obstruct the sound waves!

But anyhow, I just googled and:

http://www.wilmslow-audio.co.u...ik-grilles-320-p.asp

Don't have a clue, about the Company.

Allante93!

PS!

David Wilson's done their 59K Seminar in the raw also, I forgot to inquire about the grilles!

I know WAF!

bdnyc posted:

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know of any sources for replacement grills for the Linn Isobarik speakers in 2017?

Thanks,

Bruce

Bruce,

Contact Alma at Accent. I gave them the name of my source.

I've purchased a several sets for my Briks last year when $$ was strong against the £ and they are just excellent. ( I really can't see any difference from the original in terms of foam density )

They are sculpted just like the original which was intentional for better transparency for the drivers.

Save

There is great intel here for Brik grills and I would be most interested to hear from anyone who has successfully obtained replacement covers and the integral rubber bands for Nibbles?  I managed to get a set of originals a few years ago but they were old stock and the rubbers had already deteriorated.  Mine now look very sorry for themselves!

Peter

In the US, replacement rubber bands are available in a plumbing repair kit sold at home depot. Replaced mine several years ago, utilizing the original cloth covers . NBLs look and sound fab.

Thanks for your help folks,

Bruce