Linn av5140 feedback?


Any reviews/feedback on Linn av5140 speakers? Amp & pre-amp pairing suggestions... commentary? Thanks much... John
jch96ecdc
Thanks for all the feedback. Ended up buying a demo pair for a pretty reasonable price, felt, like 'cal', that I'd have to shell out to do much better. They seem much easier to drive than B&W's, (804, 805), and since I'm waiting to upgrade amp, pre-amp, that was part of the decision...

will try to upgrade amp, pre-amp later this year, thanks for advice on pairings. would love to go tri-amp/active, but with the relatively small room, they sound quite solid as-is... Thanks again.
I have a set that are tri-amped (older LK100s)with active cross-overs in the amps. Good mid-level speaker, especially run active (I thought they were a little flat and lifeless run passive). Very quick with a strong, deep punch in active mode. Linn tweeters have a particular flavor that some dislike; somewhat closed-in, although very natural; essentially lack that expansive air that some tweeters have. Depth, width and dimensionality of soundstage are medium. There are certainly better, more-resolving speakers out there, but you have to get into the real expensive stuff. Cabinets are great looking, but not as thick and sturdy as old Kaber for example, which was like a thin monolith on a granite platform.
I have been extremely pleased with my Linn AV5140 front/back and AV5120 centre for over four years now.A couple of years ago I decided to add an AV5150 sub.My next move may be DD ES/dts EX so I can not consider the AV5103 controller(which is the best processor I have heard at two channel) and I have listened very carefully and observed operational quirks and video performance of Krell,ADA,Theta,Meridian,Mcintosh,,EAD,Lexicon,Proceed,B&K,Tag McLaren and more that I would not even consider.So you want to know how good the AV5140 are well I am going to get a third pair for the back of the room and underpin the whole system with a second AV5150 sub (It is a very big room)and probably control it all with a Tag McLaren Audio AV32R/DVD32R,When that is all paid for I will finally go Aktiv (initially the front three and then the four surrounds)Any advise or opinions are very welcome.
I love my AV 5140's!!!! I've also got the AV 5120 as my center, a perfect match! I've used these speakers with Aragon and Acurus amps, but now I've got them running on Linn AV 5105's and it's much smoother, especially the highs and vocals. I had a Pioneer Elite receiver hooked up as my pre for a while, it worked fine, but since I'm heading to a full activ Linn system, I went and splurged for the AV 5103 (got it 2 weeks old, demo, for $4300!!! From a Linn dealer even!)

These speakers sound pretty slick with all the amps I've listed, but best with the Linn's. They will play well with low power, but really shine with higher power amps (200+). They are very dynamic, and I feel are a great speaker for both stereo and HT (My set-up is used about 50/50). They have a surprising amount of bass for the size footprint they have. Currently I don't have a subwoofer (I live in a condo so...) and I know the bass could be better, for HT especially, but it's more than adequate with just the 5140's. The bass really only lacks in the very low range. I had a pair of KEF 107/2's that accurately went to like 17Hz, with my Aragon 4004 MkII they literally vibrated status off the headboard of my waterbed, the 5140's don't quite do that, but for me that's not a problem. As I said, a sub would be nice for HT, I know I'll add one.....just not yet as I'm pretty happy with the setup now.
Note that I've only got one 5105 driving them, soon to be three in activ mode! By having each amp powering one driver after the Activ crossover, the sound is amazing! Many friends have heard my system and gone and bought Linn. My one buddy whose got the Snell B's as his fronts said to me when I was buying them "Are you trying to give me speaker envy?" 'nough said!

They also have some of the finest cabinet work I've seen! Mine are in cherry, they're gorgeous! Hell, even my girlfriend noticed how nice they look. She even comented on how good they sound! It's the first time she's said anything about my stereo! She was actually impressed at how much clearer the vocals were (Tori Amos-Boys for Pele) - smoother was her word too!

In short I love them! Drop me an Email if you have any questions I can help with.