LP12 next to Max Townshend's Elite 600c pre-amplifier
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Linn Hi-Fi
Top quality hi-fi equipment
A little information about hi-fi systems in general and mine in particular.
Some people spend lots of money on their hi-fi system. Having studied the
theme, I'd like to try to explain why.
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If music be the food of love...........
...then I guess the hi-fi equipment must be the cutlery!
Most people who spend lots of money on hi-fi equipment do it largely for the
love of music. It's as simple as that!
Having demonstrated good quality hi-fi, for several years in London, I can
assure you
that the pleasure element in listening to music is dramatically enhanced by
using good equipment.
Rubbish in rubbish out
The hi-fi system 'chain' consists of the following (albeit sometimes disguised),
information collector (record deck/cd player/tape player/etc), information
amplifier (pre/control amp plus power amp) and information reproducers
(loudspeakers/headphones).
The information collector, whatever it may be, is the part that will define the
output quality of your system.
Any information missed or damaged, by the first part of the chain, cannot be
recovered
later. Just as you cannot focus an out of focus negative in photography, you
cannot give clarity to an unclear signal from your system source.
The source.....
So, it is generally accepted that the source is the most important part in the
hi-fi chain. In a record playing system, the source is defined as, firstly,
the platform (turntable), secondly the pickup arm and lastly the pickup
cartridge. It is generally advised to spend as much as possible to ensure a
good platform before spending on arm or cartridge, both of which are supported
by the turntable.
Making it louder
Then comes the amplifier part. The pre-amplifier is where the low level signal
from the cartridge is boosted and 'equalised' to allow it's further
amplification.
Most top quality pre-amps have minimum if any tone controls
(bass/treble/loudness), this as largely because of a desire to 'just' amplify,
without causing degrading changes in the signal. Any component that the signal
passes through will have a degrading effect! It makes sense then to reduce
these effects.
Anyhow, the record producer has been paid an awful lot of money
to get the correct tonal balance into the record, who are we to suggest it
should be different?
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Linn Azak moving coil pickup cartridge
Elite Townshend 600C pre amplifier
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Louder - part two
Towards the end of the chain we have the power amplifier, who's job is simply to
take the signal and make it louder, with as little change to the signal
'character' as possible. I say, simply, actually it's not that simple, since
the power amp must also control the loudspeaker's movements, but that's a whole
'nother story :-)
Again, a minimum of controls and dials in the signal will help to keep the
signal clean and controlled.
The final link!
Loudspeakers........ It is almost impossible to make the perfect loudspeaker.
Many have tried. The BBC, some years ago, designed a couple of loudspeaker
systems, the most famous being the L/S35a, for use in their radio studios. It
is true to say, that listening to a voice, reproduced through these
loudspeakers with your eyes closed, will give you the impression of having the
person in the room with you!
Sadly, for many reasons, these loudspeakers do not satisfy the musical
requirements of most listeners.
As a salesperson, I was often asked for a 3 drive unit or even 4 drive unit
speaker system. The idea being that you could enjoy a better frequency response
with such beasts. Although this may be true, the down side is that you must
introduce more components to the internal circuit of the speaker. As mentioned
above this is highly undesireable. This may also add extra problems to the job
of the power amplifier.
Generally speaking, one should look for a clear sounding loudspeaker, well
matched to it's driving amplifier.
The whole thing
Now, when all these components are put together, how would we judge for sound
quality? Me, I look for a sound that is neither impressive, nor dull. The
ability to interpret the music without leaving it's own footprint on the sound.
I want to hear the music, not the system!
Other pages
Trip to a Linn dealer in Valencia
Getting my tuntable repaired in Valencia
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