LINN: Troika MC phono cartridge – test review. Stereophile Magazine.

“Some six or so years ago, the Linn Asak cartridge set new standards for imaging and soundstage reproduction. I can remember the first time I heard an Asak in a system using Quad ESL-63s—I had never experienced such depth of soundstage and solidity of imaging from anysystem, and that with Quad amplification! The Asak was relatively […]

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HP

PRINCIPAL DESIGN: PD150 speakers, Dr Penfold and possiblity of clones of Linn Sara speakers. Part #2 of 2

I have toyed with the idea of making a few sets and selling them. Any info would be appreciated As for building a few sets of your own, well great – if you want to expose yourself to heartache, deceit, moral corruption from some hi-fi mags, sniping from self-appointed know-it-all ‘experts’ on some forums, sub-contractors […]

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A dream system? Certainly is. Cello, Beveridge, LFD, Teac and yes, utterly appropriately upholding the UK, Boothroyd Stuart Meridian. Not a piece of Linn or Naim to be seen!

On the only forum I subscribe to, I was asked a question about my dream system. Here’s my reply. You’ll notice that some of the items are many years old. The plain fact is that in some instances, nothing, literally nothing made today can achieve the spectacularly wonderful sound from this bygone era. That type […]

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LINN: The sound is all there from top to bottom, and everything was very neat and tidy – nothing untoward, but somehow lacking realism and life

Have just been listening to a Linn-amped system in someone’s house and it reinforces my thoughts about the Linn sound. It was digitally based system and not cheap. The sound is all there from top to bottom, and everything was very neat and tidy – nothing untoward, but somehow lacking realism and life.  To my […]

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LINN: The LP12 and eBay?

Hi Howard. I know you won’t represent Linn, even though you did. However … I am thinking of buying a used Linn LP12. There are loads on eBay and quite a few of hififorsale.com, but none of the Linn dealers I contacted have any for sale. What’s going on? Linn dealers in the main are […]

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“I need help with a long gone speaker manufacturer” and Howard Popeck goes off the deep end about Linn Saras, their legacy and why anyone today wanting to invest money to be a speaker maker is nuts!

Published here previously Hello Howard. I came across your very good blog whilst looking for Linn Sara information. I wonder if you have any knowledge of another Speaker Manufacture? I purchased a set of Principal Design PD150 speakers in the mid to late 80s. One drive unit has developed a fault so I have been […]

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LINN: Source last…a tale of the LP12 vs a Radioshack

As some of you may know, in the last few years I have migrated from Naim 552/500/DBLs to some custom built speakers and tube amps and have never looked back. A friend of mine who was running DBLs actively with 3×500 did the same and also loved the final results. So, in an effort to […]

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The inside track on the LNM (Linn Naim Mujahedeen), converting the PRaT Kafirs and foot-tapping finger-snapping staff who really should have known better.

Originally published here in 2009 Howard Popeck writes: I was in a particularly foul mood when CV emailed me this question a while back. My choice of language as shown here is not necessarily what I might use today. However, I stand by every word regarding the sentiment. Channa Vithana asked: Can you give an […]

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ORIGIN LIVE: Encounter on a Linn LP12 (updated in the light of a conversation with Mark Baker)

 From the archives I received an email  from Mark Baker (Origin Live) expressing disappointment re my observations re his entry level arm’s performance on a Linn LP12 as shown below. I phoned him, out of courtesy, to discuss this with him. I envisaged a bruising encounter (don’t ask!) but it turned out be cordial. As […]

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Quill

LINN: Exactly the way it happened folks: LP12 and a/b demonstrations

From and including the 1970s, Linn popularised the concept of the A-B demonstration. It was, on the face of it, a faultlessly logical ethos. It was adopted by reviewers and dealers alike, myself included. It was rumoured they had mystery shoppers in circulation, prepared to report back any deviation from the dogma. For a while […]

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LINN ETHOS REVIEWED: Beginning or end?

Linn’s Ivor Tiefenbrun famously suggested that if you can’t get the information off the vinyl disc in the first place then nothing else you do afterward matters. There’s much truth in what he said (though I have never agreed with the conclusion that some make that turntables are more important than speakers). But this thought […]

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LOGO MERIDIAN

MERIDIAN: Linn Isobaric PMS intervention

3 pairs of 105 power amps = 3 monos per channel. Crossover-less. An outstanding concept of having the frequency response of each pair matched to the characteristics of each pair of drivers with the upper frequency response very steeply rolled off with the lower response of the next pair taking over where the lower pair […]

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