Linx Nebula Amplifier
For those who failed their history of hi-fi 'O' level examination, a precis of Linx Audio's recent years might be in order. The company was based in New Zealand until 1988, when Linx, then UK importer, decided to buy it and relocate the whole operation - including the design team - to a factory unit in Canvey Island, Essex. Subsequent to its establishment in the UK the company changed hands, this time being bought by loudspeaker manufacturer Wharfedale, who wanted to expand into the electronics side of the hi-fi business.
The £499 Linx Nebula is as purist as they come, but its minimalism doesn't detract from its distinctive styling. Inputs, outputs and facilities are kept to a bare minimum with even the mains power switch banished to the back.
No 'purist' user would dream of stacking his electronic boxes one atop another, but those who would should take heed that the Nebula does run a trifle warm. Its side-mounted finned heat-sinks get rid of most of the heat the amplifier generates, but some finds its way into the top plate. This makes it a no-waiting zone for LPs and cassettes.
This little amplifier also generates a fair amount of heat with its musical presentation. Not a product for the shrinking violet type of listener, the Nebula gets down and boogies like a real party animal when the music demands that it should. I'll swear its facia glowed more brightly when it saw
Little Feat's Rock and Roll Doctor being lowered onto the record player. The amplifier's powerhouse performance on this number belied its modest 60 watt rating. Thunderous bass and drums drove the song along with determination, yet more delicate elements, percussion figures, for example, weren't swamped by this tumult.
The amplifier clearly had guts and integrity. Its deft handling of timing information evinced this, subtle shifts in the rollicking rhythms being conveyed without hesitation. The Nebula captured perfectly the excitement of this live recording without overplaying the music's raw edge
To test its mettle with 'serious' music I chose the Technics recording of works by Prokofiev. Here the Linx amplifier presented the music with enthusiasm and dexterity. I particularly enjoyed the way it conveyed the flow of the pieces played, linking together the parts of the movements so naturally that when the last note died I felt I had been taken on a conducted tour of the composition, with every 'sight' having been pointed out and its relevance remarked upon. Its performance with the Classical Symphony's ebullient Allegro was especially enjoyable, not least for the delicate handling of the string playing which contrasted beautifully with the authoritative power accorded full orchestral crescendi.
With simple two voice and one guitar recordings, like Gregson and Col-lister's Lonesome Whistle, the Nebula's stellar might simply added conviction and solidity to its portrayal of the artists. No undue big-amp heavy-handedness here, just a realistic sense of dynamics and power.
