$39K for the Linn Klimax DAC/streamer?

Could someone buy me a new car?

I have a ND 555--I recall that it is more than $24k, with the 555 PS added in (not an option) and the UnitiCore ripper and hard drive).  I would consider it to be in a comparable price class as the Linn.  I like it, but, I cannot say how the two compare .  I would expect the Linn to sound good, given their track record with digital gear.  

It needs to be remembered what this is, is the CD12 technology completely upgraded to the nth degree.  There were 2 major revisions of it over a no. of years, the mk2 giving it substantially more dynamics & more & mk3 bringing it to an entirely different & altogether better level overall.  This would be at least the equivilent of a mrk4, 5 or perhaps a higher level. A pretty SOA streamer any way you look at it. Scarf doesn't mention what other streamers he's heard at all, so that conspicuous absence if anything, points to the fact that there are likely others competitive he's pointedly not referring to.  The audio magazine business is always a touch precarious, not least of all now. So the fact that Linn is such a heavy advertiser (2 full page color ad in the issue where this is reviewed & the only photo on the cover in addition to on an ongoing basis) has zero relevence, a touch more or somewhat more then that?

You tell me.

No matter what rediculas price is put on any streamer, it can only capture, reproduce and sound as good as what comes from the source and stream. Right now about any $500. streamer on the market will faithfully and acuratly do that. Above that, audiophiles with deep pockets and golden ears are hearing something that isn't there.....Jim

@jhills 

Which specific streamers have you actually auditioned to reach your conclusion?  Are you able to hear differences between DACs?  Have you perceived differences between amplifiers?  To what might you attribute those different sonic characteristics?  Why would that not also apply to a source? 

It turns out they do.  Though you may believe differently, with any reasonably decent system (golden ears and/or golden wallet are not needed) those differences are readily apparent.  Yes, a cheap streamer will play music with fidelity.  Better units will do so with more spatial information and resolution which are pretty easy to hear.  Perhaps you should try one - you might be pleasantly surprised.

This is an audiophile forum - a place where people who are interested in bettering their sound (within their budget) come to discuss and explore.  It's interesting how many come here with preconceived ideas of what "must" be (i.e. bits are bits so digital sources sound the same, all class D amplifiers are lifeless, etc.). 

I'm not suggesting that more expensive is always better sounding. That clearly isn't the case.  But, a good system will be well rewarded with moving upstream on the source.  BTW - I didn't believe it either before I tried it.  Nevertheless, I gained more sonic benefits moving to a better streamer than I did by significantly upgrading my DAC (and I spent 2x on the DAC relative to the streamer).  I think I may have gotten that backwards in hindsight.

@mgrif104 

I have been in audio for some 45 years, so am by no means a newbee. I never did claim that all amps, CDPs, DACS  ect. etc. sound the same, just that you can not extract more from any streaming source than is there - regardless of how much money or magic you throw at it. SO Basically, with this $39K Linn Klimax, you would be buying $500.00 worth of streamer with a $38,500 DAC....Jim

@jhills 

just that you can not extract more from any streaming source than is there 

I don't really see how this would be different from an amp, a speaker or a turntable. Do you think those can extract more than there is in the source?

And funnily enough, streamers and dacs may be the one thing that can easiest improve the source quality by using technologies like the Chord Hugo M Scaler does. We can discuss if it sounds better or not but it tries to make the output sound better than the input.

Same issue of TAS has a rave review of the Hi Fi Rose 150B streamer/dac.  Costs $5K.

Would be interesting to compare to the Linn at 1/8th the price.

@jhills 

I didn't ask if you thought all DACs and amps sounded the same. I asked you to consider why they sound different (if you do perceive a difference) and then consider if some of the same factors might apply to streamers.

Based on your response,I gather that you haven't actually tried any upscale streamers.  I won't change your belief through this discussion. May I suggest you try one in your system? If, after then, you decide there's no benefit, then you'll have a data point on which to base your opinion.  

Folks-

My apologies for the initiation of this wayward thread! I was just responding as a scientist who has worked with computers in biology and medicine their entire life.

As a lifelong amateur musician, having played in almost every type of ensemble ranging from rock bands to string orchestras, it is my view that there is little sonic room left to improve music reproduction beyond the best of what is available now. I am lucky to have such a system, but I remain suspicious of expensive new products (and reviewers in audio magazines and on youtube) that continue to claim that every new gadget that comes along is the best thing since sliced bread.

As a scientist, and thankfully not an engineer, I realize that most of these recent claims are specious, but I will try and stop posting incendiary topics. Thanks...

I used to work for the company that made the Ariston RD11S and remember having a conversation with Mr Tiefenbrun one night at a hi fi exhibition and I broached the question to him if he would ever get into digital. His outburst was unprintable and the upshot was if digital ever started taking over then that was it for him and he would instantly put up the shutters. Well digital is now the major force in hi fi ( my opinion ) and Mr Tiefenbrun still hasn’t put up the shutters and I think 39K for a Dac is daylight robbery just as in the Eighties the Ariston was just as good as the LP12 for less than the linn.

Linn's Klimax DAC/Streamer is an interesting product.

When I think of Linn, my immediate thought is about the turntable and I'm aware of their long history with digital music.  

Linn has a great customer base with complete Linn systems - folks spending $6K to well over $60k on a complete system which can be 'camoflaged' into the room or big on display.

Their decision to design their own chip may be a way for them to get high-end audio philes to consider Linn digitial sources as well.