Linn Audio

I know this is an old thread, but I agree with the OP @caphill that the current Linn digital gear is among the best even though it can be hard to take the Linn system approach, similar to Naim.

The only piece of Linn gear I have long experience with is the Akurate DS.  My version is the ADS/1.  It has always been an easy to use, natural sounding, digital streamer and was better sounding to my ears than my older Theta Miles CD player and a squeezebox linked to a Bel Canto DAC3. I divide my listening equally between digital, turntable and FM (Marantz 10b).

A friend of mine recently updated his ADS/1 to an ADS/3.  This involves sending the unit back to Scotland through your Linn dealer and having the entire internal boards and power supply replaced with the latest Katalyst DACs. Cost is a little over $2000 for the ADS.  My friend was immediately impressed by the update and he is usually a skeptic. He never liked his ADSM as he felt the preamp section was missing lacking. With the updated unit, he can hear improved resolution and dynamics in tracks that he is familiar with that was not subtle.  
So I bit the bullet and sent in my ADS/1 unit today. Should receive the unit back in just a couple weeks. Will be fun to hear what 7 years of digital evolution sounds like.

-Karl 

Like Harbeth speakers, Linn products make music.

Frank

This topic has been on my mind lately. Linn?  My home has always had music figuring prominently. Vinyl, 8-track, etc. one day, walked into a nice hi-fi shop and after kids through college, bought a marantz amp, marantz CD player, Riga Rp1 table, and Linn Majik 109 speakers.  Great sounding kit.  Then streaming. A Majik DSM to the 109 speakers. I had another room in the house and not too much longer, bought the Linn Akurate DSM, Linn Akurate 4200, and Vandersteen Treo CTs.  I love the music from both systems. BUT, lately I’ve been thinking of a new amp and DSM.  Can I mix my Linn streamers with non-Linn equipment successfully?  Like Luxman 900 mu, Ayre, or Aethetix as examples?  Listening is the key I guess. Plan on listening to the new integrated and separates soon. 

I don't have any current Linn products, but do have a Kairn preamp and LK280 amp, both acquired used.  I recapped the LK280 this year and it is sounding very nice.  So far the only thing I have done to the Kairn is to replace the battery a couple of times.

I have a Linn Klimax Kontrol preamp & love it. It has a very open & natural sound. That is the only Linn product currently in my system & it mates well with everything else.