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In Reply to: RE: Where are all the Isobariks gone.... posted by Bill the K on January 30, 2008 at 08:41:10
Well you asked for a UK inmate so here I am. Awrite mate?
It is important to appreciate that the Linn Isobarilk and the reputation that it had over here in the 70s and 80s centred on the axis that then existed between Linn and Naim. Basically if you wanted a Linn LP12 many dealers would not sell it without a Naim amp and vice versa. And as one climbed up the ladder of Linn/Naim the pinnacle was capped with a pair of Linn Isobarik PMS' tri-amped with 3 Naim 250s.
The whole Linn and Naim thing was incredibly hermetic. Linnies wouldn't even bother to listen to anything else and even read their own monthly hifi magazine "Flat Earth". So for many it was in a sense irrelevant how good the 'bariks were objectively. Within their world they were aspirational irrespective of other merits or demerits.
My own experience of them was fairly extensive in that era. Yes, I was a Linn/Naim person myself in those days. I heard a pair of DMS' ( various incarnations) regularly at my dealer, the lamented Studio 99, where they solely occupied a custom built listening room. I even got to hear the prototype PMS' on a memorable trip to Salisbury when Julian Vereker of Naim played them to me with a Linn LP12 front end with a Breuer Arm and Koetsu cart. Magic sounds for the time (Rumours!).
I agree with posters who refer to the speakers' colorations ( especially those made before the baffle was cut from higher density MDF). But with the Naim amps, boy could it connect with the music. Not a speaker that plays by the accepted criteria of soundstaging, transparency etc. but forget that and BOOGIE.
My friend had a pair which gave me the opportunity to listen to them in domestic surroundings. One day he bought the newly released Linn LK whatever the number was ( their first power amp and in competition with Naim). They were fired up but the musical magic flew away.
By today's standards? Not the classic that I thought in the 70s it would one day become.
Follow Ups:
Thanks.
Cheerio
That I can't argue with!
I remember first time I've listened to the DMS, my very first thought was 'gees, it's hopeflessly coloured' :x
But you know what?
After the initial shock, I realised they were doing something good. The DMS is still hanging in our living room to date.
The soundstage and transparency, actually I found above average. ( not bad for a 30 year old design ) And you're right, they are just so much fun listening.
Given the right power behind it, they are extremely articulate.
You're right in that there is really nice synergy going on between a Naim electronics and the old set of Briks.
Having a non-FE background ( I thought that a 6-pack meant a half a dozen bear ), the way they reproduce the music gave me a whole different fresh perspective.
Still looking for a modern day Briks, tho. ( Haven't found any yet. )
Thanks, that is a great summary. Our listening experience at Audiophile Systems was using the the Linn LK-1 and LK-2s but I'm sure the PMS Isobariks would have had the MDF construction (circa 1986). We had heard them at shows using Naim gear in prior years.
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