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Linn Klimax DS. How good is it?

Hi all. My first post. Anyway, building up a system for last months since we moved to a new house.

Started with the digital source that I best liked and frmo there went to a right combo of speakers and pre-amp, that would sound well together. You can see in my system choices I made: Esoteric X01-d2, Classe CP-700 pre, Classe CAM-400 monoblocks, and B&W 802D.

From there went with speaker cables, interconnects, conditioner and power cords. After many alternatives and extensive listening, (plus a couple of what proved to be wrong purchases) went all Synergistic Research.

NOw that what I would call the core of the system is done, I want to add two more sources. First one streaming solution and later on will see if I get into analog or not.

So regarding Streaming I was wondering: anyone heard the Klimax DS from Linn? I've read nice reviews of it, for what they are worth, and some very positive opinions of "all Linn systems" owners. Have not read many from no Linn customers, like me, who added this piece into their systems.

To all of them. What do you think of this device? How would you describe the sound of it? How does the sound quality compare to the Esoteric, if anyone had the chance to listen to both? Do you think it will be a good fit into my system?

Any feedback to the above questions, or general info based on personla listening will be very welcomed.

Thanks in advance
Eli
eelii08
perrew
299 posts
 
Eelii08,

its better than the claims, Ive heard all the big name digital players(and many a top vinyl). Its the best Ive heard! It has 20dacs/channel and an amazing output stage.
I waited a year yes, but Im a patient guy and if I had been afraid of losing the money I could always have flewn over and collect it. Anyway the long wait emanated partly from the new version that was in the coming so had I decided to wait less I could have had the older version.
The current production setup that APL have are much improved an the wait time is far far less.
It now works like this you order the player and ship it to APL, during shipping, APL will prepare all the stuff needed for the upgrade including the DAC tower which is VERY time consuming to build, 1 week, and when your player arrives its another week for upgrades and testing all thin gs and making sure its tip top, and then back to you. So you are looking at approx. three weeks without a machine from when you decide to order, even shorter if you go with express shipping. UPS is the best company for shipping.
But as I said shoot APL an email and youll know all the ins and outs, no strings attached. Good Luck! The Sonics are GOOOD! :-)
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
Perrew, as tempting as the product may sound and look, I think I will pass. I can find many people out there saying they sent units and cash and never got either back, after several years...! Others did get it back after a long wait, and others, like you had no problem. Some even suggest they were running a punzzy scheme... Who nows the truth of this, but for me it is just too much risk. If I lived in the west US coast (although seems they are now located in Bulgaria) I would maybe visit personally. But being far away, both from BUlgaria or LA dont feel like taking the risk. . It's a shame as it does sound good, but I've rather have a less good, but still excellent player with a 100% probability, that a XX% prob of getting even the best player. 1-XXX% chance of loosing it all....
sarcher30
596 posts
 
Eeli, Glad you got to try out the Klimax DS. I thought I would just mention that you could regain the weight to the presentation by readjusting the position of your speakers. The presentation of the DS is different than your Esoteric. Seems to me you would just need to make some minor adjustments to make it work for your setup.

Good luck in you search.

Sean
perrew
299 posts
 
Eelii08,

as I said the production used to have problems. I think that the people you fond had negative experiences dates back some time and as I said I think there are no outstanding orders at the moment. Id be very surprised if you could find anyone that hasnt had there machine or money returned. APL is actually the only company that could repair the old Philips transports when not even Philips would do it. When people speak about Ponzi schemes, I think I know who made the remark:-), they dont have a clue how it works. I agree with you 100% you have a very nice machine at the moment, no doubt about that and there are few certainties in life. I dont want to push you into making an investment you dont feel good about, one should never do that irrespective of what people say, for me its worked very well following my gut so I wouldnt recommend anyone else doing otherwise. I dont know where you are based, Im in Europe and if you were close you be welcome for a listen.
perrew
299 posts
 
Id read this, even though dated and the machine has been extensively upgraded since http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/aplhifi/nwo30go.html
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