What's up with Linn?
Posted by: Andrew Randle on 28 July 2001
Right now, I've been toying with the idea of building a 2nd system for my flat in London.
I already have a Naim system installed at another place, and need something to keep me sane while I'm away at my flat.
Options that I've considered are Linn mid-range kit, Rega mid-range kit, Cyrus mid-range kit, 2nd hand Naim or Ion Systems.
As I already have Naim kit in an existing system, the possibility of buying a slightly different 2nd system intrigues me.
Conundrum
So off I go to the Linn shop in Harrods, where I'm greeted by a dodgy dimpled tweeter on a pair of Keltiks (that have been like that for months), fed from their CD12/Klimax kit and sounding as magical and musical as a beaten-up AM radio (THIS IS NO EXAGERATION).
Given that this is a high-profile sales opportunity, I would at least expect them to get the set-up right.
So disappointing. Linn seem to take no pride in the capabilities of their equipment anymore. Build quality and look of their kit (particularly the black boxes) are always top-notch, sadly the sonics don't seem to match up.
Ten years ago I heard the LP12 with an LK1/LK280/Kan II combo and the experience was (as Mike Hanson would say) magical. Nowadays, the Linn experience seems to be bleached, reticent and castrated!
Is it me? Has my perceptions changed, or has Linn really taken an unmusical step backwards?
...and now
So, what now? Go for Rega? Go for Cyrus? Or even Audio Note?
It's not all bad for Linn, I do applaud the vast improvement in the Katan over the Tukan.
The final decision will have to wait until after the Hammersmith exhibition - time to pray that Linn will finally show what they can be capable of.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;
Linn does not represent value for money, IMHO.
The sound is sweet, smooth and safe. It wouldn't distract you while you were reading your lifestyle magazine, or exchanging small talk with dinner guests, while the Linn played to itself in the background!
It's always a nice day for it, have a good one 
Steve
Jupiter CD player@ 998 GBP,
Chord Silver Siren interconnect@ 75 GBP x2,
Cursa/Maia pre/power combo@ 996 GBP,
NACA5 at whatever length you require,
and ELA2 speakers@ 750 GBP,
which brings the total to just under three grand.
This is a very musical system!
Then you'd need some equipment supports:
I remember seeing, and hearing the Linn systems at Harrods on QS tables. The tables were the best part of the system, IMHO! A basic 3 shelf would cost you less than 200 quid.
Obviously, there is a Naim 5 series setup you could get at roughly the same price, but this is really a viable alternative.
It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve
[This message was edited by Steven Toy on MONDAY 30 July 2001 at 04:10.]
You are dead right about the Harrods set-up. But it doesn't get better in the dem room. I wandered through recently with my other half. She wanted a small neat solution for her place. The Linn Classic springs to minds, so we setup a dem at Harrods. It was dreadful! The guy muttered that U2's latest was "badly produced". For a laugh I said let's try the CD12 with some Klimax amps. Better, but still no cigar.
Cut to one week later when my 17 year old 110 returns having been uprated to a 140 and I plug it intoa pair of recently acquired 2nd hand Epos Es14's in my 2nd system. Same CD with a CD63 KIS (sorry!) driving it and she said "Bad production? Bo***cks!" 
I really don't think they give a monkeys at that outlet. And as a hig profile one, you would expect someone from Linn to get a grip. Mind you, how can you ever make their stuff sound good if you have standard issue Linn soggy speakers on the end??
If they really wanted to raise the height of their kit, then I think we all know of one better solution.... might also inject some life into it [anyone know what I'm referring to? ].
Amateurs!.... Amateurs in suits!
Andrew
Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;