What's the score with Linn?

iliria posted:

 

I'm just curious if their products are good enough to match their prices? I am aware of the reputation of the LP12 but what about the rest? Majik speakers any good? And so on?

That is probably a question for the linn forum.

oh that’s right they do not have one.

so the “score” is Naim Audio 1 Linn Audio 0

Sounsfaber posted: 

so the “score” is Naim Audio 1 Linn Audio 0

Profound information for the pissing match contestants among us.

Linn still makes (and sells) speakers so I guess it's tied 1-1?

Shall we run this line of logic to the nth degree?

There is no rivalry just a preference for the sound of one brand over another and if streaming was my primary source I would definitely be looking at Linn products because they do and have always made exceptional sources as for their speakers I've only heard Kane, Saras and Isobariks which were all fine sounding speakers in their day I cannot speak for their modern designs though.

I read on this Forum some time ago that some Naim products were designed with the LP12 in mind so although there is a professional rivaly, there is mutual industry respect. I think there are a lot of Naim owners who are also LP12 owners judging by the system pictures Forum members post. 

For myself, I had an all-Linn set-up for many years and thoroughly enjoyed it. If it hadn't been for my CD player packing up I'd not have given Naim a second thought but I auditioned a CDX2 and that was that! Over the years I swapped out my amplification too. 

In terms of Linn's product range, apart from the iconic LP12, the other product which seems to have a loyal following is the Kan, their diminutive but outstanding bookshelf speaker and these are referenced frequently in the Forum too.

I always found Linn of old a bit dry vs Naim, i had a brief demo probably 20 yrs ago i decided it was not for me, but the new range i would like to demo and decide.

It is nice to have some healthy competition and options, otherwise all becomes a bit of a conveyor (upgrade) belt to nirvana (or is it ego)

I use equipment from both. My main source front end is all Linn. LP12/Lingo2& Uphorik phono.

My amplification and CD player are Naim. I rate both brands highly and have just chosen the bits that work best for me from either.

Not sure. I had a source to speaker Linn system in the 90's and at the time preferred it to Naim. Linn still sounds like Linn as does Naim. I changed rather than the sound and went the other way.

I still think Linn sounds mighty fine, albeit a different flavour than Naim without a doubt. 

Perhaps there is not a lot of mention because Naim and Linn diverged so much in the past 20+ years in their approach to system building. After the gentleman's agreement between the two companies fell apart, and they started building everything themselves they were very much "system builder" brands for a while.

Linn has kept that fundamental "we make complete systems, not separates" approach albeit moved away from separates even further so that if you go for Linn now, you are effectively checking out of the separates eco system.

Naim has basically gone down the separates route and regardless of whether they admit it or not, is no longer a "system builder" brand. That claim died when Naim stopped making speakers. They are mainly now an amplification company that happens to make some streamers and a couple racks.

My point being, that the customers are just very different people in general. There are happy Linn owners on this forum with recent Linn gear. I'd say they are the exception to the rule.

I have been a Naim fan for almost 20 years since I bought my SL2s. I have been a Linn fan for almost 40 years since my Dad bought his LP12. I myself have never owned a Linn system but that’s going to change later this week. I am going from six (mostly) black boxes to one silver box. One thing I didn‘t consider when I bought into Naim was how inconvenient it would be if one ever had to sell each and every one of all those black boxes. 

“One thing I didn‘t consider when I bought into Naim was how inconvenient it would be if one ever had to sell each and every one of all those black boxes. “

Yes how boring having to sell those boxes and get money back, with many hifi pieces you can just put them in the skip- no hassle chasing residual value

Not boring just challenging because Naim‘s RRP pricing for markets outside UK means that I will be taking a huge hit on residuals. As for the Fraim, a dealer told me nobody wants that kind of furniture in Europe because the trend has moved on so far. I hope I don‘t have to put that in the skip!

I’ve been a Linn / Naim owner for over 40 years bought my LP 12 in 1978, updated as the years have gone one. Now Stiletto, Aro, Armeggedon, Cirkus, Kiseki Blue NS. Naim CDS / CDPS and Nat tuner 101 / Snaps.

Linn Isobariks, for many years driven by 32 ( 32.5 ) Hi- Cap and 250 CB.

 Regards,

Martin

Moderated Post:  Martin I have had to edit your post to ensure it complies with forum rules. Note that at least one company you tried to post about does not wish their products or company to be mentioned on this forum.  Thanks.

I have Linn source / speakers / cables with Naim amplification.

I like this combo

M.

I found the old original Naim amps to dry for my taste back in the day. Preferred Linn. But time moves on and designs evolve so now I prefer Naim. Still use the trusty LP12, recently serviced as one of my sources. Haven't heard their latest speakers but their old Kans, SARA, Isobareks and Kaber made music to die for. Rich 

William posted:

Not boring just challenging because Naim‘s RRP pricing for markets outside UK means that I will be taking a huge hit on residuals. As for the Fraim, a dealer told me nobody wants that kind of furniture in Europe because the trend has moved on so far. I hope I don‘t have to put that in the skip!

I will have the Fraim if you are throwing it out!! 

William posted:

Not boring just challenging because Naim‘s RRP pricing for markets outside UK means that I will be taking a huge hit on residuals. As for the Fraim, a dealer told me nobody wants that kind of furniture in Europe because the trend has moved on so far. I hope I don‘t have to put that in the skip!

I’ll take that Fraim off you rather than see it go in a skip ????

I‘m practically giving it all away - well at least figuratively speaking . But hey I wouldn‘t want to break any forum rules so back to the discussion - I don‘t need Naim amplification any more as the speakers are active with Exakt & Katalyst. If that doesn‘t cure my upgraditis I din‘t know what will.

William posted:

I am going from six (mostly) black boxes to one silver box. 

I am exactly of that line of thought myself only with the difference/advantage that I never went down the route of multiple boxes. My hifi needs were being fulfilled through my AVR and I decided to get the Nova for that purpose and keep the avr just for movies (5.1). 

I did look into Linn but was put off by the scary prices. My main curiosity with Linn is whether the price is justified or is partially inflated due to brand name? When comparing for example the Nova (£4200) with the Selekt (£6750). 

The other curious bit is that when people ask in this forum about speakers the members recommend a variety of brands but almost never Linn speakers. So I thought that their speakers are either not good and overpriced or there is some sort of rivalry unknown to new people like me who have just joined the Naim. 

Premmyboy posted:

William posted:

Not boring just challenging because Naim‘s RRP pricing for markets outside UK means that I will be taking a huge hit on residuals. As for the Fraim, a dealer told me nobody wants that kind of furniture in Europe because the trend has moved on so far. I hope I don‘t have to put that in the skip!

I will have the Fraim if you are throwing it out!! 

Form an orderly queue ladies and gents!

iliria posted:

I am exactly of that line of thought myself only with the difference/advantage that I never went down the route of multiple boxes. My hifi needs were being fulfilled through my AVR and I decided to get the Nova for that purpose and keep the avr just for movies (5.1). 

I did look into Linn but was put off by the scary prices. My main curiosity with Linn is whether the price is justified or is partially inflated due to brand name? When comparing for example the Nova (£4200) with the Selekt (£6750). 

The other curious bit is that when people ask in this forum about speakers the members recommend a variety of brands but almost never Linn speakers. So I thought that their speakers are either not good and overpriced or there is some sort of rivalry unknown to new people like me who have just joined the Naim. 

IMHO, the Linn 109 have a huge VfM.

I do not like the recent turn of Linn into digital for pre volume control and power amplifier.

M.

William posted:

. If that doesn‘t cure my upgraditis I din‘t know what will.

It won't. There is no cure for people who have contracted the disease. It has been known to go into remission for several years only to return with a vengeance. Eventually sufferers pass away.

The best you can hope for is symptom free decade.

I have Linn & Naim and happy with both. The only issue is now there is no Linn Forum to ask questions like we do here. There was (with Linn) and still is with Naim a great deal of knowledge that can help with many minor and sometimes major issues that both product lines throw up from time to time. 

feeling_zen posted:

William posted:

. If that doesn‘t cure my upgraditis I din‘t know what will.

It won't. There is no cure for people who have contracted the disease. It has been known to go into remission for several years only to return with a vengeance. Eventually sufferers pass away.

The best you can hope for is symptom free decade.

exactly -- several examples on this very forum... :-)

enjoy/ken

ken c posted:

feeling_zen posted:

William posted:

. If that doesn‘t cure my upgraditis I din‘t know what will.

It won't. There is no cure for people who have contracted the disease. It has been known to go into remission for several years only to return with a vengeance. Eventually sufferers pass away.

The best you can hope for is symptom free decade.

exactly -- several examples on this very forum... :-)

enjoy/ken

Really. I was completely free from upgraditis for 25 years, I bought my way through the Naim range from 1985-1993, starting with a Nait 1 and finishing up with 82 Hicap 2*135. Speakers only changed when I couldn't get my ES14s repaired,  CD player went backwards in quality when the Micromega failed, Turntable stayed the same apart from upgrades during services. I added streaming, but didn't upgrade for 25 years!

Then in April my 25 years of peace came to an end and 1st the Hicap was relaced by a Supercap, and then on Saturday the 82 became a 52. So no matter how safe you think you are.....

joerand posted:

Sounsfaber posted: 

so the “score” is Naim Audio 1 Linn Audio 0

Profound information for the pissing match contestants among us.

Linn still makes (and sells) speakers so I guess it's tied 1-1?

Shall we run this line of logic to the nth degree?

Ok then, how’s Naim Fraim so that’s 2-1????????

Oh, logic what?  it’s audio you know, emotional  silly.

ok lp12 so that’s 2 all.... can naim get ahead with hiline and power line???

William posted:

Not boring just challenging because Naim‘s RRP pricing for markets outside UK means that I will be taking a huge hit on residuals. As for the Fraim, a dealer told me nobody wants that kind of furniture in Europe because the trend has moved on so far. I hope I don‘t have to put that in the skip!

What colour is the Fraim, William?   (shelves & uprights)