Thread: Linar Model 10 integrated Multi channel amp

Posts: 5

Post by Dlite June 16, 2005 (1 of 5)
Hi All,
I have been offered a new Linar model 10 www.linaraudio.com/model10.htm at a good price, the catch is it is interstate and I can not audition. I hate buying anything like this without auditioning it. Has anyone out there, own or had a good listenen to the model 10? I would love to here your opinions?

Currently my setup has some ageing but quality equipment, being a Krell KSA-100s and a Gryphon Belcanto pre amp, with the Surround sound running through an original EAD theatermaster signature. Do you think the Linar Model 10 would be a step up or down on this combo.

Also I have a Denon 2900 as a multi channel input, would upgrade this if I got the Linar, any recommendations for a good SACD/CD player (i think DVD-A is all but dead).

Thanks in advance.

Michael

Post by LC June 17, 2005 (2 of 5)
I posted a notice here about the Model 10 in April. I've listened to it several times in my friend's system: OM He might have time to post something about it tomorrow.

Basically, if you (or anyone else reading this) are serious about multichannel (as well as very decent stereo), I recommend that you get it. The elegance of being able to run the Denon straight into the Linar without paying for redundant processing and video functions was OM's reason for buying the Model 10 without an audition, and he has had no regrets at all. (And his previous amp was a Bryston 3B SST.)

As far as comparison to the Krell, etc. set-up, that's hard to say. Krell's been making good stuff for quite a while now. I know the one thing OM looked into (via e-mail) before buying his was the attenuators, since those are a potential weak link, and needing them for 5.1 channels would tempt any designer to cut corners. As I recall, there was a bit of ambiguity in the information that was received, but the worst options were ruled out. My guess is that the simplicity of the signal path alone (cutting out two links in your chain) would make it worth the change. Sell your stuff and get the best digital source you can can afford and connect it directly to the Linar. As much as I hate to say it, look at univeral players. Don't rule out DVD-A (in the form of DualDisc).

Post by OM June 17, 2005 (3 of 5)
I'm at work so I can't write too much here.

LC pretty much covered everything (though it was a 6B SST not 3B). The volume control is implemented using digitally controlled potentiometers, which is vastly superior to IC volume control (no integrated op-amp buffers). In terms of high-end 5-channel solutions, it's pretty tough to find a better "bang for the buck" if you don't need the processing capabilities of a dedicated surround sound processor.

Post by LC June 17, 2005 (4 of 5)
OM said:

LC pretty much covered everything (though it was a 6B SST not 3B).

Oh right - of course. Hell of a piece of electronics, that thing. Still, to build a multichannel channel system around the (3-channel) 6B, with two more channels of amplification and a multichannel preamp(/processor) of corresponding quality, would have cost much, much more than the Linar. And although I'm not normally inclined to use the word "excessive" in the context of audio, it would have been excessive at least in terms of power. Listening to the Linar/Paradigm set-up, it is difficult to imagine that it could have sounded much better, either. Again: "bang-for-the-buck".

Post by Dlite June 17, 2005 (5 of 5)
LC said:

Oh right - of course. Hell of a piece of electronics, that thing. Still, to build a multichannel channel system around the (3-channel) 6B, with two more channels of amplification and a multichannel preamp(/processor) of corresponding quality, would have cost much, much more than the Linar. And although I'm not normally inclined to use the word "excessive" in the context of audio, it would have been excessive at least in terms of power. Listening to the Linar/Paradigm set-up, it is difficult to imagine that it could have sounded much better, either. Again: "bang-for-the-buck".

Thanks all for your input. There is no doubt that the unit is great value for money. Although I am probably going to pass the offer to purchase to a friend, since the feedback i have received here and elsewhere, is that the Linar 10 will not be able to match my Krell and Gryphon belcanto for 2 channel sound, although I expect it would come close. Hopefully my friend will decide to purchase and I will have a chance to listen.

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