The AW Lingo mod - Linn's response:
Posted by: Alex S. on 29 August 2001
"We've done extensive side by side dems of this mod recently (I wonder if that's your fault AW). At first it seems as if a veil has been lifted, more transparency and detail, blah blah; but then it sinks in that the Lingo has become less musical." At this point I ventured: "So at first glance it seems an improvement but then it becomes apparent that it has had a damaging effect on the musical message then?". "Yes, exactly" they said.
So I purposely waited a few days to ensure that what they said about the musicality was bollocks and yes it was.
Interesting that they admit to an immediate sense of clarity and detail though.
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So I purposely waited a few days to ensure that what they said about the musicality was bollocks and yes it was.
Thanks for that, I like that mischievious streak.
It would be nice to think I've wasted the time of some Linn staff recently, call it revenge for the bloody Trampolinn that's been hampering my LP12 for years 
It also gives me an indication of the current Linn and their priorities, when compared to the older Linn from days of yore.
The Trampolinn is another one - I've absolutely no doubt whatsoever it's a serious downgrade in my system, and most people using an LP12 on a reasonable stand will find the same - many others agree, but I bought the speil from my dealer and Linn for years.
Linn think it works in 'most' circumstamces, in their public face, yet choose not to utilise it during critical dem's (recent CD12 / LP12 demo).
Don't forget the mod was intended in the context of a Naim system, Linn are used to be very insular with their approach to Hi-Fi, and are likely to have tested it within an all Linn system, that probably has little sense of rythm anyway 
No problem with that, I guess Naim would do the same, having confidence in their own products.
I've been struck by their constant message of 'pitch-accurate' HiFi in recent years. I think that they concentrate on this one aspect to the detriment of other, equally important aspects of music (rythm, timing etc.). I cannot deny their electronics is pitch accurate. The stuff I've heard would send me to sleep though, through boredom!
One wonders what the hell better Hi-Fi should do if improvement in detail (and surely, by logical extension, an increase in musical information) isn't 'Simply Better'. Providing the information is added coherently (and to my ears it most definitely is, I've lived with it long enough now) it cannot possibly be worse.
To my ears and a number of other people who've now tried the mod, it's a definite improvement.
Patrick Dixon discussed the sensitivity of Naim to mains related differences and I have to say it does seem puzzling at first.
The linear supply should achieve a high degree of isolation between mains and circuitry, increased again by the circuit's own PSU rejection.
My theory, is it's related to earthing, in particular noise induced upon the earth, in close proximity to the equipment, by the filters. They all have capacitors between mains and earth that may increase local noise on the earth. The magnitude of the effect would then, presumably, be related to earth impedance, so good local earthing could help.
A dedicated earth for the Lingo would help a lot too, if my theory is right.
Increasing isolation, by connecting the filters (electrically) more remotely from the equipment would help also, as the finite impedance of the ring main will, again presumably, reduce effects.
The equipment powered by the filter is also subject to an increase in mains impedance starting at audio frequencies so this could impact sound in amplifiers, not sure whether this is relevant to the Lingo specifically though.
I have a large, multi-pole, mains filter I made years ago that could provide some interesting data soon, I'll let you know the results if anyone cares 
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Andy.
Makes one wonder how much better the LP12 would have been without it!
JChristophe,
See Linn Lingo - The Evil Within thread.
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So perhaps Linn still have their good points?
If you have a Trampolinn Chris, and your LP12 is on a reasonable, lightweight stand or wall shelf, I urge you to try it without - you can then form your own opinion - I'm very confident of the result
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If you have a Trampolinn Chris, and your LP12 is on a reasonable, lightweight stand or wall shelf, I urge you to try it without - you can then form your own opinion - I'm very confident of the result
Andy
No I don't have a Trampolinn - I don't have the Cirkus modification either 
My comment was just to put in a good word for Linn as I rather like my turntable.
Chris
My LP12 is the best thing I ever bought, has been used almost every day for the past 14 years, and I've never ever regretted buying it, It's fab and pretty much fired my interest in music-making Hi-Fi.
The comments above are purely from frustration, the relationship I've had with every bit of Naim kit I've owned is that as a company they always get it right, and that the compromises made are clearly defined. As a consequence my expectations are well managed and I have a brand loyalty that most companies would kill for. My personal experience, despite some of the comments one reads here, is that a new Naim product is always better, and that they are progressing in a direction that I wish to travel. Seems a lot of peeople like their path too.
Linn don't inspire the same confidence in me anymore, maybe it's just a communication problem (probably musical)
Andy.
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the LP12 is hard if not impossible to beat
James
I was not including the LP12 when I referred to Linn products I would not be interested in.
I do however think that Dynavector cartridges are far more suited to Naim electronics than current Linn cartridges.
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I bet if Naim made a LS3/5A sized loudspeaker, all this fanaticism over the Kans will fade into oblivion as the faithful flock to the new mecca
Now there's a challenge - especially when you consider the performance of the current entry level Naim speakers.
Chris