Power Amps

Posted by: Mick P on 28 March 2002

Chaps

I have a pair of 135's coming soon to power the Isobariks in my main system. These will replace the currently used 250. Tonight, just for something to do, I transferred the 250 into my second system which uses a 140.

The second system speakers are Linn Saras which everyone says needs a 250 to get them rocking.

Is this correct.........yes

The system which is CD3.5+hicap/32.5+hicap/250 really belts the Saras and they seem totally different. The base is deeper and less boomy. Top and mid end are also clearer. Even Mrs Mick noticed the difference and demanded that the 250 stays and the 140 goes.

This leaves the 140 redundant and I have not yet decided what to do with that.

This has been a pleasant surprise. I have been playing CDs all evening on it.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by Rico

quote:
This leaves the 140 redundant and I have not yet decided what to do with that.

Wire it up to your doorbell, Mick! That'll turbocharge the announcement of visitors.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by Steve Toy

And that bell should really be tuneful with great leading edges!

Regards,

Steve.

The proof of the pudding...

Posted on: 28 March 2002 by jcc

quote:
Even Mrs Mick noticed the difference and demanded that the 250 stays and the 140 goes.

Mick,

If you let her hear the Saras with the 135s, she'll 'demand the 135s stay and the 250 goes'.

The 135s really 'take command' of Saras (as well as briks.)

Enjoy,
Jim

missin' his 135s at the moment

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Mick P

Chaps

I switched the secondary system on this morning after an overnight warm up and it really does sound good. The Saras really show what they are made of, they were good with the 140, but they go up a couple of notches with the 250.

You can buy a good set of Saras for £225 ish, so they plus a good s/h 250 would make a good buy.

I might just buy a set of SBL's to see how they sound and keep the best speaker and flog off the weakest.

Got a long report to draft, so will play some Inspector Morse as a nice backdrop.

Regards

Mick

[This message was edited by Mick Parry on FRIDAY 29 March 2002 at 09:40.]

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Don Atkinson

I might just buy a set of SBL's to see how they sound and keep the best speaker and flog off the weakest

Ooooops!!

Cheers

Don

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Mike Hanson

quote:
I might just buy a set of SBL's

Didn't you have a pair of SBLs concurrently with your Isobariks and Saras? Or did you sell them before comparing the three with your 250?

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Don Atkinson

Or did you sell them before comparing the three with your 250?

hence my Oooooops!

Cheers

don

Posted on: 29 March 2002 by Mick P

Don / Mike

I used to have black SBL's in the main system and still have Teak veneer Linn Saras in the second one.

A couple of months ago I bought a pair of under used Briks and liked the sound of them. I tried the SBL's in the second system fired by the 140 and they totally murdered the Saras.

Unfortunately Mrs Mick would not tolerate the SBL's in the second system because they did not match the decor. So I flogged them off and am now keeping my eyes open for a set of late wood veneered SBL's.

Hence I will compare the SBL's and Saras fired up by a 250 and will then flog off the weakest pair.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 30 March 2002 by Paul Gravett

Mick, I thought you might want to hear my experience of using these speakers. I've had Saras for about 8 years, an early model I bought second-hand. I originally used them with a 32.5/110 combination and, whilst good, it was pretty obvious that it lacked oomph.
Over the past year I've upgraded successively to 102/180, then Hicap, 82, 250 and Supercap.The Saras where more than able to highlight each improvement to sound and I thought they were very good indeed...
But I'd always had a hankering to hear what SBLs would do. I must admit my knowledge of speakers is virtually nil, but I was intrigued by the way SBLs seemed to divide those who heard them. Thanks to Grahams Hi-Fi I've had the chance to audition a pair in my home and all I can say is they are great!
The dynamics and excitement they impart to the music is striking - it's like a veil has been lifted. The Saras sound a little ponderous by comparison, good though they are. I was a bit concerned at whether they would have enough bass to fill my reasonably large (20'x12') living room, and I remember speaking to you about this a few months ago, when I wsa enquiring after the pair you had for sale. You said the SBLs might sound a little lightweight compared with the Saras, but in fact they go down just as low and the bass is more controlled and nimble, making the latter seem a little boomy.
So, I will definitely be sticking with the SBLs. Another advantage is that they can easily be turned active, which is a step I may well consider in the near future. Does anyone know of a SNAXO2-4 going cheap?
Jus to finish: I strained my back helping to lift them up my stairs. I have a long-term lower back problem and ended up in pain for a few days, so maybe SB should stand for 'Sore Back' Loudspeaker. On second thoughts though, after listening to them for a few days, maybe 'Simply Beautiful' would be more appropriate!
Paul Gravett

Posted on: 31 March 2002 by Mick P

Paul

You have more or less confirmed what I am expecting when I do eventually pick up another set of SBL's.

On the 140, the SBL's simply trounced the Saras, but there is a legend going around that Saras and 250's are a marriage in heaven.

I stll think that the SBL's will be better and there is only one way to find out.

Regards

Mick

[This message was edited by Mick Parry on SUNDAY 31 March 2002 at 08:42.]

Posted on: 31 March 2002 by Andy Kirby

Paul/Mick

I recently gave up looking for the holy grail of driving very old Sara's to my satisfaction, Nait1, to 42.5/140 then to 42.5/Snaps/250 and finally 82/SC/2x250 and although they really started to come alive with the 250, the control I was looking for only kicked in after the bi-amping. However, I was not happy with the sound I was getting but could not put my finger on it

I toyed with the idea of taking them 'active' but the things are built so well that there was no way I was going to be able to achieve this 'in the field' so to speak. An opportunity to source a pair of updated SBL's and a Naxo, from an excellent guy 'up North' presented itself and a recent bonus cheque was sacrificed on the alter of 'upgradeitis'.

I had always auditioned with SBL's at Grahams but was too in love with the 'Linn Thing' that isobarik speakers produce to think about upgrading the Sara's, besides 'source first' as we all know. To cut a long story short, newly rebuild SBL's the Naxo and new NAC5 were inserted into my system and......

Oh dear, flat, unexciting and dull music was issuing forth from the speakers. I played with cable dressing, banished the LP12 platter, duck taped the tv speaker and tried everything I could think off, short of animal sacrifice. The next day they sounded better and a week later I was dancing around my living room like a maniac with the volume on 'silly +' levels. Active SBL's do go very loud with little effort.

I think it was mostly the new NAC5 needing to burn in plus the Naxo warming up and my ears needing to adjust from the Sara Sound.

As much as I loved the Sara's I think the SBL's have moved my listening pleasure to another level. They really are quite stunning.

Regards

Andy

Posted on: 31 March 2002 by ejl

It is undeniable that the Saras, lovable though they are, are seriously outclassed by the SBLs. The mid range on Saras has always been a weakness; it's boxy and nasal sounding, especially with female vocals. Saras are great rock and roll and jazz speakers (as long as there is no female vocalist), but they don't do well with acoustic music, especially strings and brass, IMHO. Still, with the right amps (135s, e.g.) and a good pounding rock beat they can give you a bloody nose.

I do think Saras are getting ever better as a second-hand bargain.

Posted on: 01 April 2002 by plynnplynn

Mick
Do I take it that you prefer Isobaroks to SBLs or am I reading too much into your comments. How do you rate them relatively? I have heard neither.
Terry

Posted on: 01 April 2002 by Mick P

Mr Plynnplynn

I prefer Isobariks to SBL's.
I prefer SBL's to Saras.

All 3 are good speakers.

Regards

Mick

Posted on: 02 April 2002 by Top Cat

Briks seriously outclass Saras. Until recently I'd only heard one pair of (extremely bad sounding) Saras, but had a chance to hear another pair which sounded quite a lot better. However, Briks still sound better to me. Saying that, I could live with neither speaker in my listening room - Saras I don't like, and Briks are too big and imposing.

I'm willing to believe Mana under either speaker will improve it, but Saras off Mana really don't work to my ear. However, others like them and that's cool.

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."