Linn DS vs Naim

Hi,

With respect this is Naim forum so the answers you will get will be biased towards Naim.

Linn on their site suggest that the Digital Streaming system is better than a CD. Some on the Linn forum even suggest the entry level Sneaky DS will outperform very expensive CD players.

I have the Linn Majik DS and it is better than my Karik/Numerk or my Genki/Numerik.

I also tried it against a Naim CD5i and again it was better. The CD5i was also tried against the smaller Linn Sneaky in a Linn/Naim triamped system and it was the opinion of those that heard it that the Sneaky DS was quite a bit better by some margin.

The person ended up getting the Naim CD5i, not because it was better but because the Digital Streaming requirement for the ripping, storage of music files, networking, some form of device to pick the music to play was just to complex and took up more room than it was worth

They prefered to walk across the room and pick a CD up and place it into the CD5i. That was after they had listened and stated that the Sneaky DS was better than the CD5i. So it maybe is not such a simple choice as it seems.

So I would suggest you go listen if possible as I doubt you will get the same answer from any two posts on this or any forum!

Cheers

John

I haven't compared a Linn DS directly to either the CDS3 or CDX2, but I have heard the Klimax DS head to head against a (naked) HDX, and it (the Klimax DS) was in a totally different league IMHO (it was very impressive indeed, actually). Since the HDX is felt by many to be about as good as a CDX2, I would expect the Klimax DS to also clearly better the CDX2 in such a test.

It would be interesting to hear your impressions once you have done the comparison.

quote:

Have also read Sneaky is at CDX2 level?

Was this in the Linn Admiration Society magazine? I have heard the two in A/B/C comparison - I much prefer the CDX2 to the Akurate DS let alone the Sneaky. I prefer the CD5i to the Sneaky/Akurate DS. The Linn products are very good products, but I'm staying Naim. Haven't heard the Klimax DS though.

As always, it matters not what reviewers write, but what your very own ears tell you. So I expect opinions to vary.

I think I might be happy with a naimUniti.


ATB Rotf

Hi,

Just a thought this evening. Why dont you ask the Linn forum for their thoughts on this.

Cheers

John

Thanks alot for the reply.
I know this is hard or even impossible to comment, just needed some input though. Hope you understand. A little research.

I guess Linn DS is another cup of tea, compared to Naim which I like alot.

Will listen to one...or two.

Steinar

Steinar

Let me preface my comments by saying that I currently own a CDS3/555PS and along the way have owned a CD5 and a CDX2 - both with and without additional power supplies.

I have demoed both the Akurate and the Klimax DS multiple times. The Klimax is in a league of its own - significantly better than the HDX and able to easily compete with a CDS3. If one did not already own a digital source than it would be easy to be quite content with either player. The difference boils down to the Naim vs. Linn house sound. The Linn is a product which looks forward in that it can only play digital files. With that comes the convenience associated with playing said files. The CDS3 is a CD player - but one of the best that is currently available on the market.

The Akurate does a good job however for me the Klimax outperforms it on a significant level. That said I think the CDX2 outperfoms the Akurate - for my taste. Once again - Naim vs. Linn house sound. As many have said it is a "boogie machine".

You really need to do the demo for yourself.

Gregg

I have bought my first NAIM equipment, the HDX, so I'm not biased by other NAIM products. Untill now, I didn't even listen to other NAIM equipment.

I have done a direct one to one comparison between the Akurate DS and the HDX. The amplifier was a McIntosch MA7000 (9000 euro) and the speakers were Focal Scala Utopia (20000 euro). The sound of the HDX clearly outperformed the sound of the Akurate DS.

The Akurate was XLR connected, the HDX was connected with cinch cables.

I have not heard the Klimax, since it doesn't fit into my budget.

I suggest you do a direct comparison and make up your own mind.

Greg/ Hans
Thanks a lot. I sold my CDS3 headunit to go Mac/ Dac, lately waiting for NDac. In the meanwhile my attention has made Linn DS an option. Since I know Naim cdp`s well, as you both say I know that auditioning is a must.
My case is I don`t even know how Linn DS sound at all. Quite different to Naim I think.

Your comments give this some balance compared to my humble understanding.
In the end this will be a matter of taste I guess.

Steinar

quote:

Originally posted by Stover:
Greg/ Hans
Thanks a lot. I sold my CDS3 headunit to go Mac/ Dac, lately waiting for NDac. In the meanwhile my attention has made Linn DS an option. Since I know Naim cdp`s well, as you both say I know that auditioning is a must.
My case is I don`t even know how Linn DS sound at all. Quite different to Naim I think.

Your comments give this some balance compared to my humble understanding.
In the end this will be a matter of taste I guess.

Steinar

If you have sold your CDS3 and are looking for a possible replacement, I would strongly suggest auditioning the Linn Klimax DS (in addition to the most popular Mac/DAC solutions, at least one of which is very effective indeed IMO). As I have said, I have not done a head to head comparison of the Klimax DS and CDS3, but I suspect (as a former CDS3 owner myself) that the former would not be embarrassed by the comparison. I haven't heard the other Linn DS products and so cannot comment on them.

Actually, I'd wait for the NDAC to come out so you can compare the nDAC vs. HDX/555PS/nDAC vs. Klimax DS. I'd be interested since now you're at the same total cost adding the nDAC and changing the PS to the nDAC, if this ups the HDX considerably or not.

I think the price of a HDX/555PS/NDAC will be quite a bit more that a Klimax DS.

Gregg

I find HDX/555PS/NDAC to be a top of the range source and quite a jump up in cost.
I don`t intend to burn out that much no matter how good it is.

I have my XPS2 left and could sell it for Linn DS (Majik or Akurate) if Linn become the thing.

My first plan was to go Mac/ Ndac/xps2 and be happy with that. Now I`m waiting for the Dac`s release to find out which way to go.
As you understand my eyes felt on DS boxes while waiting.
My understanding is now that DS vs Naim is not DS every time, more the opposite or at least more balanced.

I will try to arrange a listen in oslo next week.

Steinar

" you can compare the nDAC vs. HDX/555PS/nDAC vs. Klimax DS"


battle-star gallactica against a raidar ?

Steinar and Pylod

How is ANYONE going to compare these? The nDAC was a prototype model shown for two days at the last Heathrow show. It is not yet out nor available for demo.

Gregg

quote:

Originally posted by pylod:
" you can compare the nDAC vs. HDX/555PS/nDAC vs. Klimax DS"


battle-star gallactica against a raidar ?

Well I'm sure there are those that will feel that the Mac/nDAC is equal to the Klimax DS or HDX (+ whatever)

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
Steinar and Pylod

How is ANYONE going to compare these? The nDAC was a prototype model shown for two days at the last Heathrow show. It is not yet out nor available for demo.

Gregg

You just have to wait - that's what I plan to do .... ZZZZzzzzzzzzz ... now where's the NaimUniti .......

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jazzfan:

but I have heard the Klimax DS head to head against a (naked) HDX, and it (the Klimax DS) was in a totally different league IMHO (it was very impressive indeed, actually)

I have owned both an prefer the naked HDX in my all Nain System.

Bob

Different *house* sound it seems.

An HDX definitely had the Naim voicing.

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
Steinar and Pylod

How is ANYONE going to compare these? The nDAC was a prototype model shown for two days at the last Heathrow show. It is not yet out nor available for demo.

Gregg

gregg ,

my comment was ment more toward the look of the players...a 3 box naim fraim unit against a beautiful styled and small linn housing...

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
Steinar and Pylod

How is ANYONE going to compare these? The nDAC was a prototype model shown for two days at the last Heathrow show. It is not yet out nor available for demo.

Gregg

I have never said I should compare the options mentioned. I know the NDac at the earliest will arrive this summer.
HDX- CDX2- Linn DS I can get to compare....I think.
As Kuma says, more to place their difference in presentation.

Also agree with Pylod, I have enough Naim boxes, actually 11 and even 12 if NDac will become the horse.

Steinar

Yesterday I auditoned the Naim HDX and the Linn Akurate DS, both fronting up an all Naim Pre-Power Combo plus Spendor S8 speakers. Both were excellent, both had pro's and cons in my opinion. I preffered the sound style of the Linn, slightly smoother then the Naim which had a more exciting ( bright ) sound, however once told all the 'add ons' I needed for the Linn, to rip music, store it, sort it and then send it, for me the Naim was the best bet. In a few weeks I,m going to compare HDX with CDX2, then see where additional power supplies could take both.

Hi,

I have a Linn Majik DS at home at the moment. I think its a good unit, very detailed and smooth. However, I dont think it matches well with Naim amps (I'm using 122x/150x). To my ears its just two different presentations.

Waz

quote:

Originally posted by Wazza69:
Hi,

I have a Linn Majik DS at home at the moment. I think its a good unit, very detailed and smooth. However, I dont think it matches well with Naim amps (I'm using 122x/150x). To my ears its just two different presentations.

Waz

What's the operation like Wayne? Interface, etc...sound ok?

Jay

Interface on the Mac is well below iTunes. I find it really annoying personally. You also have to use twonky server which is really unfriendly.

I dismissed the Linn series solely based on the UI. Didnt even hear it, and the local Linn dealer likes a full deposit for an in home demo.

Shame I know to dismiss something you have never even listened to.... but the UI is that bad.