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Aktiv Keltiks or Aktiv Espeks - Which are Better?

My application is strictly 2-Channel

I currently have a set of Aktiv Linn Kabers, an early model driven by (3)LK100's. I have never heard the Kabers driven by the better linn amps, but as this system is Kurrently Konfigured, including updated tweeters sounds very good to me, when a good source is used. I use a Kairn with Brilliant Power supply for Pre Amp, Lingo'd LP12 and older Rotel RCD965BX CD Player for my source. (As a side note, I am amazed by the performance of this Rotel player, given its' age and price. CD player upgrades can wait.) There is also a HSU TN1220HO Sub in this system, which blends in nicely with the Kabers at 51hz crossover point and handles information to below 20hz.

I would like to build a larger 'ultimate' primary system and move the Kabers to a smaller room, rather than updating the LK100's to better LK Series Amps. I have always appreciated the so-called 'Linn Sound' and the classic look of the smaller Linn boxes from the days of Kabers. Honestly, I am not all too impressed by the appearance of any of the newer Linn equipment, but could tolerate a pair of Espeks if they measured up to the Keltiks. It's 'all about the sound', even if the Espeks feature the 'new' Linn Sound, I wonder how they would compare to Aktiv Keltiks, which I have heard are sort of unique in their own way.

If anyone has had a chance to compare any of these Aktiv systems, Kabers, Keltiks or Espeks, I would appreciate your observations. What are the most striking strengths or weaknesses of these different designs?

I realize that there are different levels of amplification available for each of these LINN systems, so I'm basically wondering about Aktiv Keltiks or Espeks driven by AV5125's perhaps? Are Keltiks also compatible with AV5125's?

Another option may be to combine Espeks Aktiv with LK Series
amps? Would this give me a bit of the 'old' and 'new' Linn Sound? The same may perhaps work with Keltiks matched to newer Linn AV Amps? Or is it always best to match Linn speakers to the amps of their generation?

Any recommendations or Komments will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
nsmith7
jaf2290
107 posts
 
activ akurates with chakra is the way i went (originally tried activ chakra with kaber...but no such card exists). definitely sound Amazing!!!!, but start saving!...dont forget to consider the "source first" as that really does make an impact...ekos arm, linto, akiva etc..but we all spend way too much money on this stuff..but i see it as a safe hobby that keeps me home and i can enjoy with the family as well, so its worth it
neubilder
129 posts
 
"Aktiv Keltiks or Aktiv Espeks - Which are Better?"

Keltiks are better - no question.
lavoy
9 posts
 
I owned a an active set of 5140s (upgraded with Espek drivers; only real difference at that point was absence of Espek cabinet modifications)run with three LK100s (and before that active Keilidhs with same amps). Also have listended extensively to active Kabers (again with LK100s) and active Keltics (with Klouts)at local audio store that was a major US Linn dealer before it went out of business. The 5140/Espeks had better base than the Kabers, not only because it was a 3-way design, but also because it was ported rather than sealed; however, the bass lacked good integration and overall the speaker lacked the exceptional coherence of the Kabers. The Kabers are one of my favorite Linn speaker of all time, precisely because of the seemless driver integration and coherence (part of which comes from a sealed speaker design), although it was admittedly anemic in the bass. The 5140/Espeks sacrificed some of the specialness of the Kabers to meet the demands of the home theater market. The Keltic/Klout combination was also great, but a different level of expense. The real problem with that generation of Linn speakers, in my opinion, was the common ceramic tweeter shared by all of the models; it had a closed in sound. My current non-Linn speakers (gave the Linn system to my dad) use Scanspeak Revelators and the difference is night and day in terms of openess (another example is the Dynaudio Esotar, which is arguably even better). My current view is that, on a limited budget, you can generally get much better sound devoting the cost of the extra amps necessary for an active configuration to higher quality speakers and a higher quality single amp; the system will admittedly miss some of the addictive dynamics of an active Linn set-up, but that is off-set by the far better refinement of the sound. My current amp/speaker combination (Pass XA30.5 amp with North Creek Catamounts) beets the pants off my old active Linn system (not even close), but did not cost that much more (although I will admit it does lack the punchiness of my old system).

For what it is worth, the Klout is, in my opinion, a far better amplifier than the LK100 in terms of transparency and punch; my old dealer said he liked it more than the entry-level Levinson amps, e.g. 331.

Best of luck.
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