Linn Classik

John,

Already got the classy phones (HD600) and also want the tuner facility - and in the case don't really want 3 or 4 boxes. Thanks for your input though.

Some friends of mine have a Classik (with tuner) and I'd say it performs very well for what it is. Pretty much the ideal second (or even small room) system for the price. Secondhand they're a bit of a gift really. The only thing I didn't like was the remote which is a bit too 'comprehensive' and not very intuitive.

David

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chris Metcalfe:
Wondered whether any forum members have used the Classik in its ideal mode as a compact second room system, adn what thoughts were on the comparisons with similarly priced one-box solutions (e.g. Denon) and multi-box (e.g. NAD, old Naim) at the same price. My main use would primarily be with headphones in the study or bedroom. Also - any differences between the newer and older versions of the Classik.

---

Hello Chris

I've been using a Classik in my study for the past four years, playing through ceiling mounted speakers. Clearly I don't want to take up valuable space on boxes or speakers.

I didn't really compare them to anything else as there wasn't anything remotely similar.

How do I like it? Very much actually. I never play it loud as I often work late at night.

Would I get it again? Absolutely.

Would I prefer to have a Nait 5i and CD5i? Probably, but that would mean too many boxes and cables.

Would I recommend it? Yes.

Regard

David

'its available for around £750 new (try hifibitz website) ' I tried this, couldn't find the classik on the site. I know Sevenoaks do them at a good price though.

I was thinking of a Linn Classik with Totem Arros for a small system in my living room. The idea of being a one box system that is somewhat hifi quality is very appealing. If I manage the purchase, I'll let you know my thoughts. I am waiting to find a used one to save a few bucks.

Chris,

I have used the Classik with Tuner as my "travelling system" for extended assignments away from home and it is quite robust. I have found the Classik to be limited wrt to speakers that partner well with it. IMHO the Totems, even the Totem Mite will be too revealing of the short comings of the Classik, that the sound will be shrill and highs piercing with little or none of the bass that the Totem line is known to produce.

I have used the Classik with with Rock Solid (B&W) indoor/outdoor speakers (part of the travelling system), Paradigm Mini's and Mites (I & II), Epos ELS-3.

Tuner section of the classij is ok, makes a good bedroom system and can be used an alarm clock if necessary.

It replaced a Naim Nait 1 as my travelling system, but I have since returned to using the Nait 1 with a panasonic portable CD player and Stax SR5 headphones and/or the Rock Solid speakers as my travelling system. Much more enjoyable from a music perspective. The Classik no resides at my parents.

As they are now starting to sell on eBay and Audiogon for $1000 USD or less, they can be good VFM.


Okynot,

Take the Classik to your dealers and listen to the speakers you are considering. I think that you will find the Totems too revealing of the shortcomings of the Classik.

Cheers

Hi Chris,

I use a Classik in my London flat. It is an excellent piece of kit for the price. After asking questions on this Forum, I bought some used AE1s. This combination has worked very well and I am very settled with the system. i also use HD600s for late night listening and have found the Classik capable of driving them to satisfactory sound levelsfor me. but late night listening for me would not be head banging stuff!!

Good luck.

David

Alex said:
"were you on University Challenge last week"..

Sadly not... I was at University in the mid-70s and never made it onto UC (everyone else was far too clever).
Was my namesake on it and what was the team?

Thanks for all the replies so far; I've discovered a company doing them for £749 so that looks pretty good value, bearing in mind the opinion that a Denon DM31 or similar wouldn't be in the same league.

My mother is going to move to a small cottage from her present 4 bed house, so we downsized her system from Cd, amp, tuner, cassette, turntabe - to a single small unit. We looked at the Denon DM31 but finally settled on the similar Teac Legacy jobbie. One box, compact, but it sounds great. It really does. Bearing in mind the Teac cost £230, the Linn Classik must be fabulous, and as a second system, I personally wouldn't hesitate. These things rock (for what they are of course).

greetings,

as an owner of a classik for the last two years, i can say that, imho, it is a LIFESTYLE product. Period.

if you seek a one-box solution that can produce some good results, them this might be for you. otoh, if you seek a cost effective "downsized" system or office/den rig, then there are better options abounding.

for plug-and-play convenience, then, sure, they're great. i use one in my office and love it.

cheers,
ian

Geofiz,
I already own some Totem Arros, got a very good deal on them. I have not found a use for them , that is why I am considering the Classik as partners with Arros for a wife pleasing small system in my living room. I have tried the speakers with a Nait 5, sound great. Also an Accuphase integrated, sound great. Lastly a NAD reciever, they sound good, I suspect the Classik would be quite a bit better than the NAD reciever.
Again, not to be used for critical listening, just background. I do have a dealer in town that sells both Linn an Totem, he is also my Naim dealer. I will try to audition the combo at his shop.
Thanks,
Dan

Had a quick listen yesterday using HD590s and to me it sounds more like a good £500 worth than £800 - if you know what I mean. Very desirable in its way though, so I may bite the bullet next week. I'd be interested to know how people think the tuner section compares with say a NAT03.

Chris,

I once heard someone say the Classik has a great tuner and preamp/amp section whereas the CD is the weakest component. That being said, I doubt the tuner is as good as a NAT but I don't have any direct evidence to support that claim -- thought I would just throw it out there.

Chris

"Had a quick listen yesterday using HD590s and to me it sounds more like a good £500 worth than £800 - if you know what I mean"

I know exactly what you mean. I had similar thoughts after using it for 2 months as part of my travelling system.

Do not know how it would compare to a Naim Tuner but the Tuner section "seemed" to be better or on par with older Magnum Dynalab units (FT-101a). But it does require a good antennae for optimum performance. I was quite happy with the reception in persian gulf area (Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, only 2 or 3 English stations) and quality. The CD may well be the weakest part of the Classik.

But as someone else in this thread has stated, it is a lifestyle product. Maybe a bit much for just background music, but the convienence of the all-in-one and the quality delivered certainly is significantly better than a boombox or micro system when partnered with appropriate speakers.

Cheers

Speakers that work very well with the Classik are the German made Visionek Evolution 352 MkII. These are a bookshelf speaker that have excellent cabinetry, great sound (take a while to break in) and are relatively inexpensive. They can and do work a treat with Naim as well, but partner much better with Creek, Linn, and others than one would expect given their price. For a Classik system, these are a necessary audition (and for a Nait* based system).

Cheers,

"Had a quick listen yesterday using HD590s "

Chris,

Why did you audition using 590s when you've got 600s?

I own both and I find the 590s virtually unlistenable.



Regards,

Steve.

Stephen,

Cos they were in the shop. I kept forgetting to bring my 600s in. I was lucky to get the 590s to dem - they wanted to use some cordless malarkey.