Theoretical amplifier replacement..

[stackmonkey]

My 17yr old Linn Intek amp did the sparks/smoke thing last week and I'm not convinced it's going to be repairable (but will take it in to find out for sure).
In case it is terminal, I need some ideas for a direct replacement that will perform at least as well.
It's currently being used as a pre amp with Linn power amps and I use all the line in connectors; cd, tuner, turntable, tv, 2 tape decks (could lose one).
A dealer suggested an ex demo Arcam A70 for around £250

Any other suggestions to try out for a similar budget?

[koenig999]

British hi-fi there, so

Exposure pre?

Linn Kolektor

NVA 50 preamp

Audiolab 8000Q

Cambridge Audio C500


Koenig

[HellDiver]

The old Audiolabs are getting affordable. Some very nice kit for not so much money.

[telecat]

It Should be repairable, failing that I 'd look at a second hand Linn LK1 or one of the Majik Pre's. They do look a little rare though.

Edited by telecat on Friday 26th June 15:27

[koenig999]

There are a few Majiks on the Bay for £100 or so.

Koenig

[stackmonkey]

Thanks

[stackmonkey]

Update.
Intek has been declared terminal as Linn no longer support servicing for them and there is no circuit diagram readily available to even cost it up. Power supply and several transistors blown, apparently.

Replacement is an Audiolab 8000Q auditioned alongside Arcam and Linn amps.

Edited by stackmonkey on Tuesday 14th July 22:10

[telecat]

That's naughty. Most UK manufacturers hang onto the diagrams and support their kit until they cannot get the parts.

[koenig999]

Linn are getting some stick in the community for ditching support for thier old gear as they move to concentrate on the posh downloading / streaming market.

Particularly with Surface Mount boards, this makes repair a problem.

This is a concern for the old-school Linn fans like me, with 2 record players, arms, cartirdges, power supplies, 2 CD players, 1 DAC, 1 all in one and 2 sets of speakers from them!

Koenig

[RobinSherwood]

Their customer service has never been great, I ditched Linn when I bought a pair of their speakers after having a pair on dem for a week. My 'new' pair were nothing like the demo pair even allowing for running in time. The dealer agreed they were wrong but Linn refused to do anything about it. The dealer took them back at their cost........

Still it meant I also got rid of my LP12 and discovered the joys of The Voyd.

They also lost my dad as a customer who replaced his LP12/Ittok/Troika with a PTA, SME V, Kiseke turntable.