New Linn DSM players
Posted by: james n on 10 October 2011
Interesting updates.
James
No HDMI on Majik DSM(-I) - a trick missed here IMHO.
No indication given with regard to HDMI audio capabilities (DTS Master Audio, Dolby HD, etc.), either....
James
David,
I am far from convinced. I tend to think of HDMI as digital scart, and while I accept that it can shift large amounts of data, I read about all sorts of HDCP issues.
Was HDMI bought in, in part, to try and raise the cost of entry by the large electronics companies?
My hope is for the continuing progress of DRM free HiDef downloads.
If HDMI can then be used as a transmission medium sans HDCP that might be convenient, although I suspect a large lawsuit would be threatened.
But, I'm open to being educated, if there is some intrinsic advantages that HDMI offers over other methodologies .......?
M
So, a pre-amp that you can stream to, plug analogue sources into, plug digital sources into including tv, with balanced and unbalanced outputs .. one box .. who would want that ..!
Simon
So, a pre-amp that you can stream to, plug analogue sources into, plug digital sources into including tv, with balanced and unbalanced outputs .. one box .. who would want that ..!
I didn't say our imply that–in fact, that's why it seems strange to omit on an entry-level integrated product at that price....
? I wasn't commenting on your post David. The DSM stuff looks absolutely superb to me - pretty much a dream configuration - and so what if the cheapest product in the range hasn't got HDMI - most TVs and Blu-Rays will have a digital out which can be fed to one of the plentiful digital inputs, and there's always HDMI audio extractors. A network player, a digital pre-amp and an analogue pre-amp in one box, and HDMI connectvitiy in some models .. hard to beat. I suspect they'll clean up.
class="quotedText">
Hi, well HDMI provides a synchronous high capacity bit stream which clearly has advantages over a synchronous formats such as spdif. The audio bit streams include hidef LPCM and the interface can also carry Ethernet.
Simon
Hi Simon -
I understand the advantage of HDMI's higher capacity when it comes to delivering multi-channel. But given these new Linn's are stereo components, are they really gaining anything from it?
It will be interesting to read reviews of how these new Linn products sound.
Hook
James
Haven't tried it yet.
Btw, the difference in website marketing between Linn and Naim is shocking. And not for Naim's betterment.
The Songcaster software looks very nice too - send any audio that's playing on your laptop to your DS - Spotify, iTunes, YouTube whatever - a kind of UPnP Airplay I guess.
However I guess it will take some iteration and refinement to get it sounding optimal.
Simon
The 'religious' war between Naim and Linn continues 
I have a foot in both camps so I'm neutral 
James
Haven't tried it yet.
Btw, the difference in website marketing between Linn and Naim is shocking. And not for Naim's betterment.
Lost in translation–or are you actually saying that the new Linn website is usable?
Besides–you'd think that they were TDK or a cassette-deck manufacturer–enough with the hipster time travel meme.
class="quotedText">
@Plinko - did you really say that Linn's marketing is better than Naim - have you seen their website - desperate is the more polite word - although I can think of others less so
By the way - do Linn still build amplifiers?
They are starting to look like an upmarket Bose!
Tog
How many units did Bose sell ;-/ I didn't say I actually liked Linn's website but it is superior for normal people, not obsessed audiphiles. It explains the DS products far far better than Naim's rather static here is the product and here is a list of the features presentation. Thought that was obvious lol!
They need to just dump the amplification altogether.
class="quotedText">
James
Haven't tried it yet.
Btw, the difference in website marketing between Linn and Naim is shocking. And not for Naim's betterment.
Besides–you'd think that they were TDK or a cassette-deck manufacturer–enough with the hipster time travel meme.
Haven't had a problem with it on ipad or pc. ?
Yeah, the cassette mix tape thing is perhaps aimed at 20 something retro-aware hipsters who might have some cash to dole out. I dunno. I think it works. The Naim site looks like it's aimed at 50 somethings or the nerd element. The Linn site is clearly aimed at a younger element. I see a marketing effort and an effort to tell a story on the Linn site. I don't see this at the Naim site. Fascinating that the two sites are now such polar opposites.
It almost seems like the Linn site is aimed at new customers whereas the Naim site is aimed at people who are already Naim customers.
Horrible - what's a retro hipster?
Tog
Plinko - on the iPad you lose the drop down menus from the top navigation bar which makes navigating the site a bit of a pain.
James
It is a pretty ghastly site that does a great job hiding what seem to be some excellent products.
Tog
retro has been a big thing for 20 something hipsters the last decade. I dunno...don't ask me. my time has come and gone.
Full marks to Linn for combining a streamer and pre-amp - I have been hoping that Naim would do this - and now, maybe, this competition from Linn will force them into action. This type of integration is good as it reduces cost while still keeping the high currents separated away in the power amp.
Their upgrade policy as exemplified with the KDS/1 upgrade is very impressive too, and far less wasteful than Naims. Upgrade one product and get the the superceded bits of the old one back in a cheap box if you want - nice.
class="quotedText">
I think the new website illustrates not a refinement of Linn's approach to their products but complete confusion coupled with an insanely lifestyle marketing nous.
Horrible - what's a retro hipster?
Tog
I suspect Audiovector's lawyers will be contacting Linn shortly about their "new" slogan...
class="quotedText">
I think the new website illustrates not a refinement of Linn's approach to their products but complete confusion coupled with an insanely lifestyle marketing nous.
Horrible - what's a retro hipster?
Tog
I suspect Audiovector's lawyers will be contacting Linn shortly about their "new" slogan...
Yep: 
Or Perhaps they are merging ...
Best wishes,
Peter