Linn Helix with 250

Mike

I am using Linn Helix, with the Kustone stands. I have had them since 1989, and IMO they are a very good sounding speaker. I know there are some members of this forum that dont rate them very highly, but to me they are really good.

They have a fast and powerfull bass, and can be very musical, although a little dry in their presentation. The old great HiFi magazine "HiFi Review rated them too.

Anyway when I got mine new I think they were about £270 for the speakers and about £70 for the Kustone stands. But later on Linn updated them to a Linn Helix 2 model, which I imagine are better.

I am driving mine with a NAC92/FlatCap/NAP90.3, so I imagine a NAP250 would be fantastic with them.

Ian Marsh

Ian,

Thanks for the info and opinion, I am looking for some decent speakers to 'back-up' my sistem which unfortunately is in Thailand, so shipping costs are likely to prove humungus, so SBL's are out for now (can't find any for sale anyway).

I used to have some indexes which really rocked with the 250 too, how would you say these compare, and were the helixes an upgrade on the index or the otherway round ??


Cheers
Mike

I lived with Helix 2s for a few years and thought they were terrific. Mostly they were driven with a Linn LK1/LK280; though at the end I ran them with a 32.5/Hicap/250. They were fabulous with the 250, though the 250 has such extension and grip you could hear the low end limitations and compromises of the speaker.

I had Index 2s before the Helix 2s, and thought the Index 2s quite good within their limits. Not nearly as good as Kan 2s, but a wider frequency range and smoother response made them a lot more forgiving. Worked beautifully with a Nait 1 and a LK1/LK280. I would say the Helix 2s were a significant step forward--and were probably the best of that series of Linn speakers. The Nexus was only OK--the Helix 2 had more life and tune.

Finally, I think the ku-stone stands essential to any of the three--the Index 2, Helix (2), and Nexus (2). I think the Helix 2s were around $900 US when they were available.

Best,

Bob

Bob,

Thanks very much for the informed and comprehensive review of the various Linn speakers, I think it was a great pity when Linn and Naim 'fell-out' although competition is inevitably a good thing, I still feel that the Linn speakers took some beating at any price, and were nearly unbeatable in their price range.

Any thoughts on the Keilidh as these appear to be pretty good valuer S/H too (a lot bigger of course). Your thought would be most appreciated.

Thanks again
Mike

Mike

In all honesty I think a NAP250 deserves something really good on the end of it. As I said, and as Bob mentioned the Helix are very good, and they can play tunes.

When I got my Naim amps I auditioned some Linn Keilidh and I to be honest they did not really do it for me. They had more weight and drive, but I thought they were not as musical as my Helix.

If I were you I would look at some Linn Kabers, they can be picked up for a real bargin S/H and from what I know they are an excellent speaker, and with a NAP250 driving them they should sound superb.

They look more or less the same as the Keilidh, but a little taller I think. But I understand they are much better, and with the right setup they can be superb.

Ian Marsh

Mike--

Ian makes a terrific suggestion with Kabers--a speaker capable of terrific results in the right room and system. They take a lot of power, so a 250 is needed (and does a great job--not like you NEED 135s) and are very revealing of setup and system. They are also, IMO, better looking than Keilidhs.

Keilidhs are tough. Fundamentally I think they're OK but not great. If it were me, I wouldn't swap Helix's for them--I think the Kaber is a more natural upgrade. Though at the price, you're not far from used SBLs, which are, I think, in another league entirely...

Best,

Bob

Bob,

Thanks for the advice, always a tough one when it comes to choosing between Naim and Linn for speakers, and as I have experienced only SBL's and Index II's (with a 5 year time gap), I'm at a loss to know what to go for.

So if I read the advice here correctly, Helix's would be a good bet if priced keenly, but Keilidh's are not worthy of the 250.

Where Kabers are V. Good, they are not in the same league as SBL's which are in the same price range S/H.

Ah well, its either some cheap Helixes or a nice pair of Cherry or Maple SBL's for me then.

Thanks everyone for the sound advice (pun intended) and benefit of your experience.

Mike