Advice needed on switch from Naim to Linn

I should have added that the dealer convinced my Wife by saying that we would have far fewer boxes in the setup. 

For goodness sake get yourself a good extended audition! I personally found the NDS way superior to any of the Linn streamers. And I don't like their amps either. Haven't heard any of their speakers since the original Kan, Sara, Isobarik era, but I'm afraid I smell a rat. If the dealer isn't prepared to offer you an extended home audition of what they recommend, I'd run a mile and never return.

If you like being able to do other things while listening to music, switch to Linn. If you prefer being incapable of doing anything else while the music is playing, stay with Naim.

Not the most unbiased place to ask that question! 

Put simply:-

Linn and Naim kit sound different.

Dealers like to sell stuff.

The individual can only listen and decide for themselves.

The phrases 'Blind Faith' and 'Do What You Like' seem somehow apposite.

Good luck.

John.

I doubt if the Linn site would be any less biased ..... different - yes !, but no less biased.

But what does a guy do ? - short of getting an extended home demo with all the stress and hassle that involves ?

badlands posted:

Not the most unbiased place to ask that question! 

Indeed,  it might be ever so slightly biased,   just like   " .... the Linn dealer commented several times that I would be better off with a full Linn exakt akurate system with akudorik speakers"   

Don't do it! Keep the Naim stuff.

If you liked Naim well enough to buy it in the first place, you are unlikely to be satisfied by the Linn system.

Mike-B posted:

badlands posted:

Not the most unbiased place to ask that question! 

Indeed,  it might be ever so slightly biased,   just like   " .... the Linn dealer commented several times that I would be better off with a full Linn exakt akurate system with akudorik speakers"   

Indeed, there are many members here with integrity, that goes without saying, but to come to a Naim forum and ask if Linn is better than Naim is quite a stretch to expect an unbiased answer.

Hi Newbie,

If it is more music that you would like from your system, then I would first recommend a DR upgrade for your NAP250. It costs little for the improvement that it brings. Second, ask your friendly dealer to let you try an XPS-DR power supply on your NDS. If you like it, then your dealer should offer you a decent part exchange on your power supply.

After these 2 steps, I would be tempted to leave any dealer alone until your cartridge wears out, as you will have a beautiful, balanced music making system.

But DR the 250 first.

Hope this helps, FT

The Linn system should have to prove itself to you, over an extended loan. Make that dealer earn his sale.

If in doubt do nothing.

The behaviour by this Linn dealer is outrageous and suggests only that he (or she) is a money-grabbing w***er. Surely you are not so suggestible that you cannot see straight through this blatant hard sell? Just be happy with what you have got and tell the dealer where to stick it. 

By all means have a listen to the Linn system, which might be miles better for all I know, but do it at a different dealer; one that behaves in a professional manner. 

The only thing I would say regarding your system is that a 555PS on the NDS should be considered at some point. 

At an exhibition I attended last year in adjacent rooms there were Naim and Linn systems driving Kudos Titans.  All I'll say is this - get a prolonged home demonstration - the presentation of the 2 systems are fundamentally different.  

Otherwise FT's advice is spot on. 

Regards,

Lindsay

newbie posted:

I should have added that the dealer convinced my wife by saying that we would have far fewer boxes in the setup. 

Oh well - that means you have no choice in the matter any longer 

Have a listen - see what you think

The Strat (Fender) posted:

At an exhibition I attended last year in adjacent rooms there were Naim and Linn systems driving Kudos Titans.  All I'll say is this - get a prolonged home demonstration - the presentation of the 2 systems are fundamentally different.  

Otherwise FT's advice is spot on. 

Regards,

Lindsay

I too heard what might well have been these same 2 systems playing in adjacent rooms late last year. I lingered in the 'Naim' room far longer than the 'Linn' room, even when the demonstrator in the 'Naim' room stopped playing music to have a long discussion with another attendee.

The Linn systems I've heard usually sounded too polite for me -- but a 530 system (active speakers, room optimization, etc.) I listened to recently at my dealer's shop was very impressive.

I agree with the others that your dealer's comments have a whiff of the "hard sell" -- since he's so keen on the system, he should naturally give you an extended home demo!

Crikey! You have a lovely system there, if I were you I'd be happy with it but 'might' be interested in the dr upgrade though. 

Would Linn be happy to upgrade one of their amps to a higher spec in years to come like Naim currently are? At an honest price too may I add.

Newbie, you are asking quite reasonable questions of entirely the wrong group of people. Unfortunately your Linn dealer seems to also be the wrong person being more biased than those on here. This dealer also seems to be selling aggressively and entirely dismissing the abilities of your very capable Naim system. That is irritating and insulting.

If you are really interested in what Linn can offer I suggest you find yourself another Linn dealer who will take the time and trouble to demonstrate in your home how a Linn system will better your Naim system (without spending stupid money of course). I wish them good luck with that! There I go being biased again, told you so.

Does this particular dealer also stock Naim kit? If so, then an unbiased comparison would be interesting. If not, then dealer bias might be the determining factor. I've very much enjoyed Linn speakers in the past, but Naim electronics  let the music flow IMO. There, that's my bias out in the open.

I too have enjoyed Linn speakers in the past and owned a pair of Kans and had a LP12 for many years. But we are talking about swapping an entire Naim system for a Linn system. Would be good to know however if this dealer does also stock Naim. It would tell us a bit more about how biased the dealer is towards Linn. As the OP is in Singapore (I think) there may not be a choice of Naim and Linn dealers.

Michael_B posted:

I personally found the NDS way superior to any of the Linn streamers. And I don't like their amps either

I personally do not subscribe to the view that Naim streamers across the range are superior to their Linn equivalents, let alone "way superior". They are different (sometimes subtly so), but proclaiming one brand to be better than the other is very much a personal opinion. Having said that, I have heard the entire Linn range of streamers and associated passive & active systems (excluding Exact), but have not heard a fully kitted out NDS.

As Badlands suggested, this forum is not the one to approach for an unbiased opinion, and neither would be the Linn forum if you were to post there.

Having said this, unless your Linn dealer also stocks the entire Naim range, I would certainly not rely on his advice either. What he has suggested will be a very expensive solution potentially offering only a superficial change in the presentation of your music. The only way for you to be sure is by arranging an extended home demo of the Linn setup versus your own.

There are of course alternatives to both brands, if you desire a change.

The Linn streamers are excellent IMO (I'm biased, I have one) and the suggested setup would be an active system, which would bring a big improvement. OTOH I don't especially like the Linn amps very much and also not many of their speakers. The Akubariks I liked and the 530 which are only available in Exakt.

And as others have suggested, the Linn dealer surely would be willing to prove his claim by an extended home demo?

I love Linn sources but amps and speakers leave me cold....once, I had a Klimax pre/power and the LP12 and KDS shine through. You must really audit the gear, total different presentation. 

Ralf

J.N. posted:

Put simply:-

Linn and Naim kit sound different.

Dealers like to sell stuff.

The individual can only listen and decide for themselves.

The phrases 'Blind Faith' and 'Do What You Like' seem somehow apposite.

Good luck.

John.

 

+1

I moved from Active Linn Saras to Active SBls (many) years ago.  SBLs better to my ears.

There was a thread a couple of years ago saying that the Linn KDS was better than the NDS.  So, when I was deciding whether to upgrade from my NDX, I went along to a well-known Leicester dealer, and compared the KDS to the NDS.  I preferred the NDS.   The only Linn items in my system(s) now are my LP12/Lingo (albeit with Naim Prefix), and the Ekos arm.  I changed from Linn cartridges to Dynavector more than 10 years ago.

I wouldn't presume to suggest that you might have the opposite preference.  You have to listen and decide for yourself.  You're the one who has to live with it, and yours is the only opinion that matters.

newbie posted:

During the installation the Linn dealer commented several times that I would be better off with a full Linn exakt akurate system with akudorik speakers. He then went on to price the system as a direct swap but I would have to TOP-up by several thousand pounds.

The dealer certainly would be better off!

Honestly, what does "better off" even mean?  As many others have said, you absolutely need to listen, ideally in your own home, before you undertake such a major change.  Especially as you seem to enjoy listening to what you own now :-)