Behringer A500 and Linn Audio LANH 500: the same?

[zane9]

I read the Lexicon / Oppo review with great interest. So in that spirit I invite you to have a look at these two amps.

First we have the LANH 500, http://123triadpro.com/triad09/linn_audio/version-1/amplifiers.html From Linn Audio of New Hampshire: $3500.

Then we have the A500, http://www.behringer.de/EN/Products/A500.aspx, from Behringer: typically under $300.

The price difference is substantial. Linn Audio of New Hampshire does not publish the specs on the LANH 500, but claim to have:

"...contracted local electronics engineers and asked them to make some modifications to the amps to bring them all the way up to high-end specifications, mostly by replacing key components with those that high-end audiophiles demand for critical performance."

That sounds like vague marketing hype. I say prove it!

 

[Snakeoil]

Looks like it, I can not find a lot of info on the LANH series. This is very typical of highend audio and happens all the time.

http://www.linnaudionh.com/amplifiers.html

Looks like the rear layout is the same as well.

 

[adk highlander]

They probably did the fan replacement for 5 bucks. Behringer is designed in Germany so there you go. What is it with the $3000 mark ups.

 

[majorloser]

They probably did the fan replacement for 5 bucks. Behringer is designed in Germany so there you go. What is it with the $3000 mark ups.

There's no fan in the A500.

 

[WmAx]

For that much $$, he could have at least had a custom new face plate machined and installed custom knobs. That would have cost him no more than $150 even in low volume. But no, this fellow does not even bother...

-Chris

 

[majorloser]

For that much $$, he could have at least had a custom new face plate machined and installed custom knobs. That would have cost him no more than $150 even in low volume. But no, this fellow does not even bother...

-Chris

Heck, I think I only paid about $179 for my A500's from American Musical.

 

[Seth=L]

What is this crap?

 

[Snakeoil]

What is this crap?

Its called high end audio.

 

[Seth=L]

Its called high end audio.

Yeah, but this is getting the point of ridiculous. They aren't even hiding it anymore, I can't imagine this approach will work very well.

You see, I could understand putting the A500 in a new shell, I could understand making it pretty (because it's ugly the way it sits). I'm surprised that a company took an amplifier like the A500 and modified it (maybe they did) but didn't adress the cosmetic issues. For $3500 the amp should be pretty!

 

[jvgillow]

The Behringer A500 itself is a clone of another amplifier that was manufactured over in China (look at the Alesis RA series)

Same with the EP series, they are basically QSC RMX amps with a few cost cutting measures like a smaller transformer.

At least when Behringer copies something, they do it for a lower price instead of a grossly inflated one

 

[JohnA]

It is not only the A500 but everything on that page...

The LANH 150 watt power amp, is the Dayton APA150, they didn't even remove the Dayton logo.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812

And the High-end Interconnects are Dayton's also....

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

It is not only the A500 but everything on that page...

The LANH 150 watt power amp, is the Dayton APA150, they didn't even remove the Dayton logo.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-812

And the High-end Interconnects are Dayton's also....

Wow, that’s just stunning. Funny thing is, I have some of those Dayton Y-connectors. They’re great looking but I’d rate them as low end - all “show” and no “go.” They’re some of the loosest fitting male RCA’s I’ve ever seen, right up there with those cheapie stock cables that come in the box with a component.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[majorloser]

Wow, that’s just stunning. Funny thing is, I have some of those Dayton Y-connectors. They’re great looking but I’d rate them as low end - all “show” and no “go.” They’re some of the loosest fitting male RCA’s I’ve ever seen, right up there with those cheapie stock cables that come in the box with a component.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

True, a lot of Dayton cables are no better than what come in the box with components or you can buy at Rat Shack

 

[mtrycrafts]

I read the Lexicon / Oppo review with great interest. So in that spirit I invite you to have a look at these two amps.

First we have the LANH 500, http://123triadpro.com/triad09/linn_audio/version-1/amplifiers.html From Linn Audio of New Hampshire: $3500.

Then we have the A500, http://www.behringer.de/EN/Products/A500.aspx, from Behringer: typically under $300.

The price difference is substantial. Linn Audio of New Hampshire does not publish the specs on the LANH 500, but claim to have:

"...contracted local electronics engineers and asked them to make some modifications to the amps to bring them all the way up to high-end specifications, mostly by replacing key components with those that high-end audiophiles demand for critical performance."

That sounds like vague marketing hype. I say prove it!

I see a difference Look where the indents are on the knobs

 

[zane9]

I look forward to hearing from Mr. Linn, when he joins our conversation on his cost-effective products.

 

[highfigh]

Its called high end audio.

No, it's called gouging.

What a turd!

The Y cord looks exactly like the ones I buy for less than $4 each, wholesale.

 

[MidnightSensi]

This is Linn: http://www.linn.co.uk/

Linn is from Scottland.

Linn "New Hamphire" just looks like they are trying to sound like they are Linn but really sell **** they bought at Parts Express to people that recongize the name.

 

[mike c]

they don't even have their own domain name.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I look forward to hearing from Mr. Linn, when he joins our conversation on his cost-effective products.

Its cost effective for him, for sure. No R&D, nothing.

 

[Snakeoil]

I see a difference Look where the indents are on the knobs

Good find, that's how the high end playes the game, they do not want a volume matched listening test.