dvw
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2002
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If you are a objectivist, then spec to some degree can determine the quality.
Let me first explain the spec. Typical power spec is in RMS and at a certain THD. For layman, this really not important. The important part is amp's ability to drive a low impedance load. The impedance of a speaker chnages over frequency. At low frequency the impedance might be as low as 1 or 2 ohm. If your amp does not have the current to drive it, bass will be loose and high will seem to be breaking up.
The Linn amp you refer to has 50 W @8 Ohm and 80W @ 4 ohm that tells me the amp is capable. Another good thing to know is how much power supply capacitor it has. My amp (Adcom) for example will keep playing for a few sec even after I turn off.
The other type of spec is slew rate. Low slew rate will have a impact on sax, drums etc and cause transcient distortion.
I think Linn as a reputable company should make a decent amp. I think the amp will do quite well. There is no spec that can determine the amp susceptibility to noise (RFI/EMI). You indicate your old amp has a lot of noise and it is very loud.
This could be caused by ground loop, RFI (radio station), EMI (near by computer printer, light?)
Do a search on RFI nad noise and you'll find even good equipment could experience noise. Lots of headfier had this problem before.
In conclusion, I think Linn is fine spec wise. But I don't know it will work in your basement.
Let me first explain the spec. Typical power spec is in RMS and at a certain THD. For layman, this really not important. The important part is amp's ability to drive a low impedance load. The impedance of a speaker chnages over frequency. At low frequency the impedance might be as low as 1 or 2 ohm. If your amp does not have the current to drive it, bass will be loose and high will seem to be breaking up.
The Linn amp you refer to has 50 W @8 Ohm and 80W @ 4 ohm that tells me the amp is capable. Another good thing to know is how much power supply capacitor it has. My amp (Adcom) for example will keep playing for a few sec even after I turn off.
The other type of spec is slew rate. Low slew rate will have a impact on sax, drums etc and cause transcient distortion.
I think Linn as a reputable company should make a decent amp. I think the amp will do quite well. There is no spec that can determine the amp susceptibility to noise (RFI/EMI). You indicate your old amp has a lot of noise and it is very loud.
This could be caused by ground loop, RFI (radio station), EMI (near by computer printer, light?)
Do a search on RFI nad noise and you'll find even good equipment could experience noise. Lots of headfier had this problem before.
In conclusion, I think Linn is fine spec wise. But I don't know it will work in your basement.
