Linn -- one generation ago

I have always loved the Linn 5140 slim floorstanding speakers--predecessors of the Espek I think. They sound great even without the active cards you can get for them. I often see them used on this site. Also the Ikemi is a phenomenal CD player but even used it's not cheap.

Here's heresy: if I were thinking of setting up a Linn system with older gear today I wouldn't use a Linn player unless it were an Ikemi. I would build an active biamped system using amps made by someone else, preferably tubed, with a pair of Keilidh speakers. Drawback: with the Keilidhs I would need a low listening chair or I would be looking down on the musicians.

Since you are experimenting with a new brand, and you already have a primary system, I would recommend something economical (by Linn standards)to start with in case you aren't overly happy with it. Linn holds its value pretty well on the used market so you can get rid of it at little or no loss if you wish.

I would recommend a Mimik CD player (about $450-$500 on Audiogon). Get a Majik integrated amp (the older Majik, not the new Majik series, about $500-$600 used). For speakers, I will suggest a couple of alternatives. One alternative is monitors. I would suggest either Tukans or Katans (about $500-$600). The other alternative is floorstanders. Fot this alternative, either Keilidhs ($700-$800), or Ninkas ($900-$1200).

Regarding speakers, Linn's philosophy seems to be if you can't do deep bass properly, it's better not to do it all lest it screw up the very important midrange. For this reason, their monitors often strike people as being bass shy. So if you go Tukans/Katans, you may find the sound a bit thin. However, as you play them more, you realize that the bass is there, it's just not artifically boomy, but is more tuneful and balanced with the rest of the musical spectrum. This is characteristic of the Linn sound. Rather than concentrate on a lack of deep bass response, listen to how well the midrange is done for such a relatively inexpensive speaker. You can always add a sub of course. My opinion is that if you find the bass less than what you like, rather than buy a sub, it's better to get the floorstander. I find better integration than with a monitor/sub set-up and there will definitely be deeper bass. Again, however, it will not be overly pronounced. Proper tuneful bass, not boomy bass, is their goal.

After living with this system for a bit, the next step is to go active. Buy the active cards for the speakers you have ($300-$500) and buy either an LK 85 or an LK 140 power amp ($450-$600). Put the active cards in the Majik and the LK amp and you will have a very economical way to hear the difference between a passive and an active system. The ability to upgrade relatively inexpensively to an active system is a tremendous benefit of Linn systems, and from their corporate point of view, it keeps you in their product line.

If you don't like what you're hearing, you can dump it all, as I mentioned, for almost no loss. I don't recommend you get anything "better" (i.e. more expensive) in the Linn line until you're satisfied that you would like to explore Linn further, unless of course you get an exceptional deal.

I think that Tobias' suggestion is a fascinating one. I would be intrigued to hear it myself having owned Linn equipment for close to twenty years now. However, for a newbie to the brand, I think it is a bit too adventurous and wouldn't really sound like a Linn system.

Have fun, and remember one of Linn's sayings: "If it sounds better, it is".

I tried out the Linn Espeks in a home demo, and liked them very much. They can produce huge quantities of bass, and are great fun to listen to - very musical. The key is room placement - they have rear firing woofers, and respond more dramatically to room placement than other speakers I have tried. I ultimately didnt get them because I need to put one close to a corner, and I just got too much of a good thing (bass). But if you're free to move them around the room within reason, check them out!!

The tube amp idea above has merit. A number of years ago, I was considering buying a CD player, and I heard a Linn Mimik CD player, a Linn Majik integrated, and a pair of Linn Sekrit speakers. (At the time, I had an all Linn system, so this was the closest match at the dealer to what I had.) After the demo, I saw a tube amp, and asked about it, and the dealer was kind enough to drop in place of the Majik. Truth be told, the sound with the all Linn system was OK, but the tube amp made a large improvement.

One comment I'll make about buying old Linn equipment is that one should consider issues of long term service. Linn has discontinued support on many older products. The Mimik, for example, was at least partly unsupported the last I heard. In some cases, this may not matter, but if one makes a big investment....

There are also other companies that might be worth looking at. Naim, for example, has a lot of philosophies in common with Linn. Indeed, at one time, there was an informal partnership (Linn LP12 turntable, Linn speakers, and Naim electronics.) Rega also appears to have similiar philosophies.