As new information about these has been coming out, I thought it was time to pull the information into a new dedicated thread and out of the Denton thead. LINTON Heritage – WHARFEDALE Based on this image, it looks like they will be £999 or about $1300 USD. (Stands Extra) At the bottom of this article is a teaser: The Bristol Hifi Show Report With Ian Ringstead | Hifi Pig While I would love a pair of Harbeth Speakers, these are more along the lines of what my wallet will support.
Another to confirm the pic and the price. Scroll to the bottom. Audio Affair Bristol Show Report 2019 - Audio Affair Blog Here they are playing about 20sec in:
These could be a very welcome budget-friendly alternative to the Made in UK Spendors and Harbeths, much like the Denton 80s are. I wonder why they decided to not make these bi-wirable.
I emailed Wharfedale re: comparing these to the Denton 80th, they replied: "Thank you for your E-mail The Linton 85 offers a similar sound character to the Denton 80 in the classic Wharfedale tradition, while being more sensitive and offering a bigger dynamic scale and soundstage. Regards,”
To make them even more budget-friendly! I will be in the market for something along the line of Linton (probably around $1.5K w/stands), harbeth 7esr ($4.4K w/ stands), or Spendor classic 2/3 ($6K w/stands)... It will be interesting to see if the Linton are even comparable..
For "budget" speakers made in China, look at the stunning mirrored-grain walnut finish on my Dentons... They were more of a cocoa brown color when I got them a couple of years ago, but they've aged and developed a more reddish tint.
I've never had particularly strong feelings about stands but I'd have to get those with these speakers.
I had considered it off and on since buying my Spendors, but I know I would regret it later on... These really are superb speakers, and I was very lucky to receive a pair with such an exceptional finish. I gasped when I first opened the carton and saw that burl!
I've seen those pics of your speakers more than once and they never fail to impress me. AP, you really have some beautiful speakers there. Every time I see these Dentons @$399, I am sorely tempted to purchase a pair. Then, I consider the size of my room and think that I'm better off staying with my Dynaco A-25 speakers (which sound pretty darn good to me). I also have some Paradigm 5seMkII, when I want a little more detail.
I think the wrap pattern shown here a bit too much for me, that's why I mentioned they need strict craftsmanship on the wood veneer. Early limited batch looking consistent and better a lot. The Denton 80th pairs I owned still truly represent limited walnut finish, time past yet still looking vintage and elegant, I can say it's my best furniture anytime haha. Very suspicious when they mention the Linton has similar sound, anyway to look at the tweeters more carefully?
I suspect cost is perhaps as low as $699. May take a few months on the market to get a pair for $699.
Naw...dont sell them. You will regret it. Besides......your reviews made the deciding point of getting them for my wifes office. If not using them, put them in the audio closet. You'd pull them out at some point down the years. Trust me.