Wharfedale SUPER LINTON vs. Wharfedale LINTON (& KEF, Zu)

This episode is brought to you by Roon and Marantz:

🎥 Camera: John Darko / Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: John Darko

0:00 Intro
5:51 Peter Comeau explains...
1:31 Lou Reed 'New York' / vs. Monitor Audio Studio 89
9:29 Super Linton vs. Linton Part 1
13:42 Super Linton vs. Linton Part 2
16:21 Is the Super Linton worth the extra?

👉 As seen in this video...

Lou Reed - New York (CD and vinyl box set)

Wharfedale Super Linton

Wharfedale Linton

Quad 33 and 303

Audiolab 9000A

Luxman L-505Z

Rega Planar 8

Grimm MU2

Speaker off-axis response: psychoacoustic and subjective importance

Cables and power products by AudioQuest

Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel

Room treatment by Vicoustic

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.

Darko.Audio is an Amazon Associates Program member, an Audio Advice Program member and a Howl Program member.

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[pascalmarais]

We must applaud John Darko for waking up people to the vast expanse of musical styles. There are beautiful interesting recordings everywhere. Search them out and expand your repertoire. If you listen to the same oldies, I don’t care how nice your gear is, you’re not getting the full value. It’s a discovery tool! Use it!

[jimfarrell]

Ive just refurbished a 1970s pair of Linton 3xp, bought for £40 from a junk store. High grade polycaps on the crossover (five times the size of the originals). Acoustic wool damping ( no damping on the originals ) and a sanding, filling and finishing with teak oil to fix the banged up cabinets.
For a total cost of maybe £70-80 and a small time investment (5 hours max) I have a lovely set of speakers. They wont be nearly as good as either modern Lintons, ( though I would love to do a side by side) but I would encourage folks to have a go. The skill level is pretty low (otherwise I couldnt do it) and its very rewarding to save a classic from landfill.

[thornwithin]

Great video John! I love my 2019 Lintons. Although tempting it would be to upgrade, I'll hold on to my mula. I think my current combo is wonderful and now I can relax and spin my CDS!

[gunarstreikals]

Not really into buying hifi system, but most of the time find your videos entertaining and come here for new music. Thank you )

[przemo]

What a great camera and editing work, thats a very pleasing vid to watch!!!

[desking]

The playlist comment when you emphasized, “only 2 of them make electronic music”, gave me an instant chuckle. Thanks and I enjoy your reviews.

[amrjon]

Great video, thanks. I listened to both back to back recently and definitely agree the SL has more resolution and crispness. Maybe something different with my ears though because to me it was the L that was fuller sounding with more bass especially at lower/medium volume. I’d go as far as to say the SL sounded slightly thin/harsh in comparison.

[robbi]

I just received the Linton 85th today and saw this! LOL, I only paid £800 new with stands, so I'm still happy.

[joramvandervorst]

In that cabinet size i would loved a 10" driver 😊

[gemini]

+100 Cool Beans points for using "D'Appolito" when referring to the Monitor Audio Studio 89s design! Was first introduced to D'Appolito speaker designs when I was selling mid-fi and hi-fi systems in the late 80's with the Phase Technology PC-Center/Home Theater series speakers.

[johnpischedda]

Thanks John, this could be a budget option for those looking for that BBC style monitor but don't want to fork out big $. I like how the stands are included and provide practical storage.

[yowandbm]

You are awesome, really made my morning.
I love the attitude just keep going 💪

[WireHedd]

Still play both the LP and CD of Lou Reed's New York that I bought when it was released.

[tangoromeo]

I love my lintons, which are connected to a powernode. Never thought of another speakers ever since I got them!

[nasdkhan]

I heard them last week at a local audio dealers . They sounded good but I noticed the bass reached deep & have some depth . I'm giving them serious consideration. Looks wise I really like them. I have to be sonically sure as these will be my last speaker. I'm 57 . I currently own an old Imf tsl50 which works fine perhaps limited in soundstage but clarity wise is very clear. In another room I use the Linton 85 and I have indeed put them in my main system and they sounded good if your unwinding but for ultimate thrills it's a no. I feel for the price point the Super Linton is currently the best option. Harbeth, Graham, Rogers are too expensive for me ( 4 to 5k).

[jeffgrayson]

What's next the Super Duper Linton 😊

[barrybrennan]

Can't believe you subjected these to Steely Din, AKA 'Holy, holy.'

[mrkitewine]

Thanks for yet another great review, and thanks so much for putting a lot of the focus onto the actual music. Some people use music to listen to their hifi, I prefer to use my hifi to listen to music but your music suggestions give an idea of what to look out for during critical listening sessions. It is very much appreciated.
I love the aesthetic of both these lintons but I just feel my 5m wide x3.5m deep room is too small for them ( I also listen at lowish volumes). I’ve tried the Denton 80’s but they were very rolled off and didn’t wake up at lower volumes, (so I run Neat speakers, they suit my room and requirements)

[Zhiloreznik]

The fact they have a bass shelf built in to be less boomy in small rooms it’s worth it.

[nathanielbrice]

Great video as usual! Would love to see you review ATC speakers at some stage 👍🏽🙏