Completing a Classik system
Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 02 January 2002
As a retirement present a friend of mine has acquired a Linn Classik CD/amp/tuner. He is asking for my help to set this up and complete the system with suitable speakers/cable.
Although he enjoys the music aesthetics are also important.
I wondered if anyone has any tips/recomendations? What about the latest incarnation of Kans (Kan IV I think)? I think the speakers will end up wall/bracket mounted or on a bookshelf-I am sure he and his partner will not go for floorstanders
This really is not something I know anything about
so guidance appreciated-I am being seen as the HiFi expert here!
Bruce
[This message was edited by Bruce Woodhouse on WEDNESDAY 02 January 2002 at 11:20.]
Posted on: 02 January 2002 by mykel
are rear ported, so they need a bit of breathing room. That said, they can be mounted close to the wall according to Linn. I have heard both on the end of a classic and they sounded good, but both times they were stand mounted about 12-18" off of the back wall.
mykel
Posted on: 02 January 2002 by Lambros
Bruce
Tell your friend to listen to some blueroom minipods - they are easy to site nad they look very funky (or ugly according to ones taste..). They come in different colours so one could get a pair to match the Classik.
Lambros
Posted on: 02 January 2002 by John G.
The new Kans or Tukans should work fine wall mounted. I have a pair of Tukans mounted on Sound Org wall brackets mounted 5 feet above the floor and they sound real nice. I think getting them higher on the wall allows them to put out a more tuneful bass.
Haven't heard Katans but they should probably work well mounted to the wall as well. Here's a link to Linn owners manuals:
http://www.linn.co.uk/cust_supp/show_manuals.cfm?language_id=English
Posted on: 02 January 2002 by Andrew Randle
The Katans are MUCH better than the Kan IVs, but also cost more. They also benefit from biwiring, so some K400 will fit the bill nicely. Katans sound best (to me) when they are at the closest end of the range (4") away from the back wall - gives better bass and balance to the sound.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
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Posted on: 02 January 2002 by Steve Toy
are lively, and a perfect foil for the Classik's smoothness.
Use Naca5 cable, and Chord Silver Siren interconnects, and this combination is so musical that it will seriously worry separates' systems up to two grand, IMHO.
It's always a nice day for it 
Have a good one! 
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
Posted on: 02 January 2002 by Bruce Woodhouse
Thanks a lot for all the advice folks. Sometimes this forum is very useful.
It is nice to have suggested some non-Linn ideas too. My colleague had the impression that if he goes to a Linn dealer he will be offerred only Linn products. As a technophobe he also thought he would be sold something he really did not want too-he has very negative ideas about hiFi shops!
I know my local Naim dealer does Dynaudio-I have no doubt he would lend a pair if needed.
BTW whatever happened to Kans-I keep reading about them on this forum but presumably in previous incarnations.
Bruce
Posted on: 03 January 2002 by DUPREE
The Classik is a neat little box, it is very easy to follow the music, sounds quite good and has tons of kool feature. It is however not the most powerful thing in the world, so asking it to drive really difficult or inefficient speakers is not a great idea. I have heard it with the Katan's and the results are very excelent, it can even drive Kelidh's, but not at ear shattering levels.
I think the Katan is one of the best small bookshelf speakers available and it really combines the best of both worlds (The flat and round ones). The Katan is a bit of a cross between the Kan & Tukan, while not as fast or engaging as the Kan, it is faster and punchier than the Tukan, while the new technology tweeter helps it image better than either. It is also a breeze to setup, unlike the Kan's which were a pain and always were a little shouty no mater what you did. It is a much better all round speaker than the Kan ever was. I would try to get an in home demo of the Katan's I think you will significantly prefer them to the Dynaudio bookshelves with this setup. They have matching stands that are available and are very attractive in Cherry. You will need a Brakit if you want to mount it on the wall.
Posted on: 03 January 2002 by Steve Toy
Good point.
Er, you'd need one if you added an LK140 power amp!
Otherwise, you wouldn't need one. 
BTW, the Classik really benefits from being atop the QS ref. stand with ALL the electronics being extra decoupled, and not just the source.
It's always a nice day for it Have a good one!
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
Posted on: 03 January 2002 by DUPREE
quote:
Oh and Steve, where would you put an interconnect in a Linn Classik system??
Richard.
The newest Classik has a fairly good collection of inputs and outputs. There is:
Tape 1 - Input only for a Tape player or other component
Tape 2 - Input and Output for a Tape deck or other component (Fixed level output and a line level input)
Aux 1 - Input for a line level source
Pre-Out A variable output to control another amp like the LK-140.
2xRJ-45 Classik Daisy chain connector. Port to connect up to 4 Classik's in a turnkey multiroom system without any additional hardware.
Knekt port - Allows Classik to be connected in a full multiroom system
Have fun.. 
