Bariks 'On the road Again'
Posted by: Ian R on 22 June 2002
My Scottish Briks are "on the road again". Some weeks back I wrote of my need to recone the 4 midranges and replace the 4 Scanspeaks. It took forever to find a UK reconer as opposed to the service in Norway by Frode. I found Wembley Loudspeakers (paul@wembleyspeaker.demon.co.uk) would so the job within a 10 day window. Allowing for a camping scene in Dorset I refitted the new units along with help from Alan Gibb of Stereo Stereo. We used clear glazing mastic to reseal them in to the cabinets that I had refinished in the interval.
At present I find them less sweet than before but they are running in and sometimes come and sometimes go. I feel the CD 'Happy Trails' by Quicksilver Messager Service is needed. But as I dont have it Im applying all sorts of stimuli.
The sound is big and sounds amazing next door! But in the listening room its hard to pin down where they are in the running in process, they seem to need more driving than before but the treble detail is a cumin in with a feather light touch stilling the pulse on some tracks ( Kari Bremnes from Norway and female folksingers being good examples) .
Im pleased to have the B110's back as new but the reconing didnt involve properly cleaning the cages which is a shame. Alan said that too but he was sure the job had been well done although we both felt it was slightly agricultural ..... as wembley mostly do rock PA repairs the rough and ready again approach is understandable but I wished i'd cleaned em myself before sending them off. I had visions of spraying the cages gold or red for a while to add a homely unorthodox touch but hey Lumpy Gravy is fine by me!
Cost for reconing job was £160 so if you need to do it yourself you neednt bust the bank to keep your old Briks on the road. Resealing was a doddle the resoldering ws the only awkward bit but extra hands helped that task. Total costs £330 to keep them running. I have spare B139's should I ever need them.
One funny thing was Alan telling me that the early Linn products were built by engineers used to metal working but not wood so thats why the tweeter screws were all metal threads and not MDF/chipboard threaded. I ask you what a firm.
So if you do take a unit out dont be afraid to chuck the original screws away. Dont overtighten the tweeters as beyond a certain 'sweet' point you'll only be compressing the felt inside the tweeter enclosure rather than tightening the unit to the cabinet
So I claim to have the newest Briks in Britain .... maybe the world....well lets say they are the 'newest' three quarter replaced replaced Bariks in the Universe.... today. Unless that is, Lady and Gentlemen, you know different?
I seem to be buying some more in a week or so, newer models so I could have surround sound Bariks? Oi vey. I wonder which I'll prefer my rebuilt 83's or the new last of the line sold in 93 ones?
Ian, Scotland
At present I find them less sweet than before but they are running in and sometimes come and sometimes go. I feel the CD 'Happy Trails' by Quicksilver Messager Service is needed. But as I dont have it Im applying all sorts of stimuli.
The sound is big and sounds amazing next door! But in the listening room its hard to pin down where they are in the running in process, they seem to need more driving than before but the treble detail is a cumin in with a feather light touch stilling the pulse on some tracks ( Kari Bremnes from Norway and female folksingers being good examples) .
Im pleased to have the B110's back as new but the reconing didnt involve properly cleaning the cages which is a shame. Alan said that too but he was sure the job had been well done although we both felt it was slightly agricultural ..... as wembley mostly do rock PA repairs the rough and ready again approach is understandable but I wished i'd cleaned em myself before sending them off. I had visions of spraying the cages gold or red for a while to add a homely unorthodox touch but hey Lumpy Gravy is fine by me!
Cost for reconing job was £160 so if you need to do it yourself you neednt bust the bank to keep your old Briks on the road. Resealing was a doddle the resoldering ws the only awkward bit but extra hands helped that task. Total costs £330 to keep them running. I have spare B139's should I ever need them.
One funny thing was Alan telling me that the early Linn products were built by engineers used to metal working but not wood so thats why the tweeter screws were all metal threads and not MDF/chipboard threaded. I ask you what a firm.
So if you do take a unit out dont be afraid to chuck the original screws away. Dont overtighten the tweeters as beyond a certain 'sweet' point you'll only be compressing the felt inside the tweeter enclosure rather than tightening the unit to the cabinet
So I claim to have the newest Briks in Britain .... maybe the world....well lets say they are the 'newest' three quarter replaced replaced Bariks in the Universe.... today. Unless that is, Lady and Gentlemen, you know different?
I seem to be buying some more in a week or so, newer models so I could have surround sound Bariks? Oi vey. I wonder which I'll prefer my rebuilt 83's or the new last of the line sold in 93 ones?
Ian, Scotland