Linn Isobarik DMS 1980 - Pre and Power amp recommendations please

Hi,
I have a pair of 1980 Linn Isobarik DMS speakers. I would like some recommendations for second hand preamp and second hand power amps. My budget is about 2000 pounds for the pair. I did have a Maim 32.5 and Naim 160 but it wasn't powerful enough and the Naim 250 that replaced it eventually died. I would be most interested if members knew of other good quality manufacturers that are capable of driving the Briks. Your advice is much appreciated.

 

They’re rated at 100 watts music and 86 dB with impedance dropping to just under 4 ohms, so, theoretically, you have quite a lot of choice. They are big speakers so I am sure they are capable of handling transients a lot, lot higher than that, and you want to make sure you have enough power so those transients don’t clip and fry any drivers.

At the lower end, on paper, I would have thought a Quad 606 should have plenty of headroom to spare, moving up a big Meridian power amp would also fit the bill, but sound different rather than better, a little further up still you have some of the big modern class D amps and the parasound A21.

All of the above would allow more headroom than the 250 or Klout, which would have been the contemporary dealer reccomendation.

And I’d use a suitably matched passive pre, but that’s just me.

 

Linn LK280

What happened to the NAP250? Because that is really the ideal partner.

 

Thanks so much for taking your time to reply so extensively

 

Thanks for the advice

 

to the OP, if you, apart from available power, liked what the 160 and 250 did, and don't want to give out all the money you have on a power amp, I highly advise you to get a NAD 2200/2600/2700. all 3 are practically the same amp, can be had for as little as £250-400, and outperform, even sonically, both Naims above and mates with the DMS pretty well, power-wise included (there's a lot to read on the net on these, e.g. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/nad-2200-vintage-amplifier-review.13960/). match it with a good pre, like a Harman-Kardon AP2500 (or even its Signature version) with a superb MC/MM phonostage on board, available for £200-300, and you really are done with a system way above in every aspects of Naim. from the remaining money buy me a beer and spend the rest on the family . cheers

 

I changed all the boards in my CB 250 and replaced the originals with Les's NCC200 amp boards and also his power supply boards and the amplifier has no problem running my Briks (from mid 80s). I run the 250 with a 72pre and a Teddy Pardo Teddy cap. You could do the same with your 32.5 or of course there are lots of SH 72s out there at reasonable prices.

 

I think Klouts sound good with Briks. Of course it takes 3 to get them up and moving. 1 is a little underpowered in my experience.

 

Why not an integrated?

 

nice to know that Simon H is out there, HI Simon. You helped me a few years ago when I was beginning my journey towards aktiv briks.

Anyone who is that much a fan or isobariks is OK by me!