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To Linn and Theta listeners...

I've recently upgraded my CD source from a Rotel 975 (as transport) and Theta Progeny (as D to A) to a Linn Ikemi. Rest of system is: Linn Majik, N805 biwired, PS Audio Power Plant, and Audio Quest Midnight Cables, room is heavily treated.

Now to the issue - I've lost some of the immediacy of my music. For example, female vocals have lost the goosebump factor (the breathyness, the crispness, the tension) in exchange for a greater smoothness. Also, some of the details of the insturments have been masked somewhat (the guitar plucking, etc). And while hardly unpleasent, the laid back nature of the Ikemi just doesn't pull me in the way the cheaper playback did.

So, to those of you who have heard both Linn and Theta, am I hearing the difference between two D/A approaches or could it be something else?

Thanks for your thoughts/time in advance.

Lee
mprime
infinitebaffle
51 posts
 
I worked for a Linn dealer up until a couple of years ago so I know their stuff pretty well. You are describing pretty accurately what I heard from the Ikemi. Frankly I think all the Linn cd players are overpriced underachievers. You might say the same thing about pretty much all of the Linn lineup. Just way overpriced for the performance you get.
blackie
221 posts
 
I've heard the Ikemi in a number of systems and think it is a great player. The Majik is definately a weak link in the system, the CD and speakers are much more revealing than this little integrated is up to. Chances are your original digital combo was a tad bright but was tamed by the Majik's rolled-off nature and now that you have a much more natural front end you are hearing the shortcomings of th Majik.
glen's avatar
glen
714 posts
 
I'm a Theta geek, I use to run a DaViD into a Classe Dac-1 then through some ARC tube gear to a pair of martin logan electostats. I tried a few other cd players and transports but always went back to this combo for my bedroom system. I use all Theta gear in my H/T system too, Great stuff!
cmo
471 posts
 
When I purchased my Theta Miles I auditoned quite a few other CD players, the Linn among them. I am not trying to bash Linn but the sound from the Theta was soooooo much better, beat the Linn in every respect. The Linn stuff feels cheap too.... I'm not into plastic, especially when it has a $3,000 price tag attatched.
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