My Big Demo + Upgrade

Posted by: Andrew Randle on 29 October 2000

Finally managed to write back to you all about my big Linn vs. Naim amplifier shoot out.

This may also interest those who want to know what the Katans sound like.

The demo was as follows

Speakers = Linn Katans
CD Player = Linn Ikemi
Amps (Kairn/Klout) vs (NAC 72/HiCAP/NAP 250)

Despite the system being overtly Linn dominant (including the use of Linn speaker cables).... the Naim kit sounded the best.

Why? Well the Naim had more presence. Although the Linn kit was more tonally balanced - the only thing I could fault the Naim on was some treble tizz. However, the Naim's presentation was more "positive" with better articulation.

So how did the Katans fare? Even though they had to be blu-tacked onto Kan-stands (no Katan stands available at the shop) they sounded VERY PROMISING. There is no doubt that the Katans are an improvement on the Tukans/Keilidhs - in fact they are much closer to the sound of the Kan IIs. A vast improvement is offered with the treble and its leading edges. The bass unit is also better than before - although the difference is not as noticable as the treble unit.

Overall, the Katan is by far the most musical small speaker that Linn have produced in 10 years.

So, what else happened? Oh yes, I bought a NAC 72 and it will be delivered from Salisbury on Friday. Last week they only had about 9 left(!!) - so those of you wanting one had better get your skates on...

To cap it off I tried the 82. I don't know if it was because the 72 had slightly longer time to warm up - but I preferred the 72 (oh no!!!).

By Christmas I should have the HiCAP

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 30 October 2000 by Greg Beatty

I was almost believing you about the Katans UNTIL...

quote:
To cap it off I tried the 82. I don't know if it was because the 72 had slightly longer time to warm up - but I preferred the 72 (oh no!!!).

The Katans must be daft

- GregB
Freedom is not in finding the Holy Grail but in stopping the search for it

Posted on: 30 October 2000 by Andrew Randle

Yep, or it's me that's daft.

To me, the 82 is more "hi-fi" - but the sound seemed to lack the body of the 72. However, the treble tizz on the 72 was significantly reduced on the 82.

I'll stick with the 72 until I get around to affording a 52. That should last me over a lot of upgrades.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 30 October 2000 by Andrew Randle

Vuk,

Thanks for your concern. Unfortunately 2/3 of the guys at the Sound Organisation were away attending a course. Poor old Hamish had to look after me in the dem room and customers downstairs.

The thing I like about the 72 is the "character" it has and gives to the music.

Rest assured that the Katans are the best new Linn speakers I've heard in 10 years. Linn seem to have listened to their critics - shame it has taken too long.

I'm going for the mullet - it's becoming fashionable now

That is until I eventually go for the 52.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 30 October 2000 by Tony L

quote:
Sorry to here you've decided on a mullet system. Before you go ahead, I'd suggest asking one of the Naim regulars with an 82 to show you how much beter 82/Hi/90 is over the similarly-price 72/Hi/250.

Not necessarily – IMHO the 90 is no serious match for Kans, or only as a temporary measure. I fully accept that the 82 is lots better than a 72, but the Kans were designed using the 32-5 / Hicap / 250, so there is a certain synergy at work. My even more ‘mullet’ system sounds far better than Vuk would ever believe...

Might be worth trying a 102 / Hicap / 180, though I would probably stick with the 72 / Hicap / 250 – it just fundamentally works without drawing attention to any weakness (especially at second hand prices!).

Tony.

Posted on: 31 October 2000 by Andrew Randle

Spot on Tony. I do believe that the 72 is more appropriate for the Kan-esque sound.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
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4 ^ = ?;