Which is better? Klimax DS or NDX/555PS?
Posted by: Plinko on 28 April 2011
Looks like there is a new Klimax DS out there. Anyone have an idea on this? I am looking at both solutions.
The NDX isn't out there for such a long time so I think it'll be hard to find people commenting about this comparison.
In my opinion there will not be a "better" one, just a different presentation/opinion...
Regards,
Michel
I think the upgrade paradigm for the Klimax is absolutely fantasic - current Klimax ownders can get their product upgraded,to new spec and their old board is recycled in a new case into a second product. What more could you ask for?
Yes, the Linn Klimax DS upgrade is a fantastic idea and Naim should copy it 
!!! But let us not forget that this way of upgrade is only offered for the Klimax DS and not for Akurate DS or Majik DS.
Oh no I've bought a Lion ... would a Tiger have been more impressive.
There must be a limited subset of people who even have the luxury to be able to worry about the tiny differences between their ridiculously expensive electronics and an even smaller group who care.
I'm sure both are lovely but I feel lucky that I don't have the jaded mindset to worry about such things.
Wonder if there is a Naim or Linn dealership in Misrata?
Tog
What a load of sanctimonious judgemental tosh Tog. You've spent thousands on your own hifi - enough to keep villages of folk in Libya fed for years. Why judge folk who have even more money to spend? You are already a member of an extremely limited subset of people yourself. And you probably can afford a Klimax DS or an HDX if you really want one anyway; you already seem to have the jaded mindset to go with it!
Yes, the Linn upgrade ideas are very interesting...for something like an additional 1K pounds (guesstimate) one can get another Klimax level box in the home. The upgrade to the new unit is another amount of cash.
I am told (from a Linn dealer) the new versions are supposed to provide more "meat on the bones" so to speak. I wonder if things become closer to the Naim sonic signature while still retaining the Linn characteristic.
Who knows? Not many combo Linn/Naim dealers in the USA and certainly neither dealer anywhere near me. And most dealers do not have the NDX nor do they have Ovators. Got to spend money to make money...
I wonder if things become closer to the Naim sonic signature while still retaining the Linn characteristic.
You mean if it will get typical Naim transformer hum while retaining the typical Linn thin/boring presentation?
The Klimax is reckoned to be very very good though.
Keith
I wonder if things become closer to the Naim sonic signature while still retaining the Linn characteristic.
You mean if it will get typical Naim transformer hum while retaining the typical Linn thin/boring presentation?
No. Have you heard the new ADS or KDS?
Btw, I think if one is complaining about thin sound then one must also look at transducers and amps. I'm skeptical about what is always assumed of utmost importance here (the source). Linn is not going to sound thin on the front end of a proper conical horn and a well done SET amp.
I don't know what you mean by "boring". Could mean anything, really.
The Klimax is reckoned to be very very good though.
Keith
Thanks Keith. Did you demo the two on their own or just feeding the NDAC and/or 555PS?
I already have the DAC and a power supply (XPS2) so I wasn't interested in the bare NDX. I did hear the ADS on its own and it was not as good, but still sounded very fine. If you don't have or want the extra boxes it's worth a listen as it is still awsome.
What surprised me was how different the NDX and ADS sound through the same DAC and PS. I had previously assumed these were the key components, but it turns out the streamer is key too. For example, Adele and Regina Spektor probably sounded better through the ADS (actually, they sounded great through both), but Rush sounded much better on the NDX. The best machine for you will depend on what you listen too and how you like it to sound. ADS is more relaxed and smooth. The NDX is more exciting and definitely rocks harder. I suspect that the Klimax builds on the Akurate's strengths, but does it overcome the its weaknesses? I don't know.
Keith
Oh no I've bought a Lion ... would a Tiger have been more impressive.
....
Tog
The Tiger every time - this because of the way it "rips" the meat before it eats.
Lion "rips" are just nowhere near as good.
All the best Guy
I have to disagree Guido.
Having examined them in detail I find they are the same - byte for bite.
M
Oh no I've bought a Lion ... would a Tiger have been more impressive.
....
Tog
The Tiger every time - this because of the way it "rips" the meat before it eats.
Lion "rips" are just nowhere near as good.
All the best Guy
Brilliant.
At least some of you were able to see the humour ... Anyway @Likesmusic it was worth it just be admonished by someone willing to talk about "upgrade paradigms" with a straight face.
Well I guess the couple of hundred people on this earth with the time to worry constantly about the pending obsolescence of their gear will probably be either too preoccupied to be offended by my sanctimoniousness or will be totally distracted by the arrival of a new shiny object
Yes I can afford to buy the aforementioned gear but the prospect having to think about how much better my life might be if I had bought some even more expensive gear is too frightening to contemplate.
Tiger every time.
Tog
Devialet every time
Tog
just curious....do we have the same debate about linn amps (klimax kontrol & klimax power) as well or is it linn source only ? do we have here a common sense of "naim rules" with their amps?
(don't want to steal this post)
Ralf
This post prompted to look up the Linn Klimax and see what its about.. I note it doesn't offer DIN out. As a recent convert to DIN because of it's sonic improvement I could hear, especially at the source end, I guess the nod goes to Naim in that regard.
Simon
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just curious....do we have the same debate about linn amps (klimax kontrol & klimax power) as well or is it linn source only ? do we have here a common sense of "naim rules" with their amps?
(don't want to steal this post)
Ralf
Steal away Ralf. No worries!
And yet - probably not "exciting", "involving", "compulsive" or "addictive".
This post prompted to look up the Linn Klimax and see what its about.. I note it doesn't offer DIN out. As a recent convert to DIN because of it's sonic improvement I could hear, especially at the source end, I guess the nod goes to Naim in that regard.
Simon
My reason for Naim was that Linn does not offer S/PDIF digital output. Having auditioned KDS at home, I was convinced I want to keep my existing DAC. Naim solutions allow free choice of DAC, which is very important imo. The DAC, especially the analogue output section gives the footprint to the sound. You should have the freedom of choice here.
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And yet - probably not "exciting", "involving", "compulsive" or "addictive".
Perhaps. Do you have any listening experience between the two?
ADS/1 sounds better than NDX/555 IMO. Sounds more like a decent CD player and not so harsh/digital yet still boogies.
KDS is another level altogether in my experience. Not heard a digital source of any sort (CDP, mac+weiss or otherwise) that gets close for information and detail esp. the realism and extension in the treble which is quite something. It definitely has that smooth+sweet+refined linn fingerprint to the sound though which you have to like and it comes into its own through the Klimax Kontrol.