Linn Ninkas aktiv vs. not?

Stuart,

Going active was one of the best moves I've ever made. The playback has an effortless sense to it. You can take all the audiophile terms and apply them here. The best part, and I believe a well kept secret, is that nearly all your source material will become very listenable. A great recording will still be a "stand out" but marginal performances and engineering will sound pretty damn good. You get the benefits of vastly improved sound without the critical system nightmare of making most of your recordings unlistenable. I can't understand why this isn't a standard offering from all manufacturers, it's that good.

Patrick

I would absolutely go Aktiv. It makes an incredible difference.

Hi,

I currently have my ninka's set up passive but bi-wired with one LK 85 amplifier. I've often thought about the same question you have. Each time I think about it I go down to my listening room and put in a favorite CD, sit back, and just enjoy the music. It sounds very good as it is. I don't think there is any doubt that going active will make significant improvements. Linn is a tremendous company! Just like anything else, when you have the money and are comfortable spending it go for it. Until then, don't forget that the passive mode is still excellent! Other less expensive improvements include upgrading to the polymer bases and bi-wiring the speakers. I personally feel like source reproduction is the most important factor in any system and depending on your current source that may be a better improvement in the short and long term. Having said that I also plan to go ACTIVE at some point in time but will probably wait until my other components are up to par. Enjoy!!

Exactly the same boat, Chetiar. Have upgraded the stands and spikes, bi-wired and lots of other tweaks.

I have owned a few Linn speakers (AV-5140, Keltiks, Nexus & Keilidh) going aktive, except for the Keltiks that are aktive only, will be a great improvement. The bass output will extend another octave, details in the music will sharpen and the system will gain available power to drive the speakers. The crossover use about 30% of the power to drive them. But you must listen it yourself. Go to your Linn
dealer and ask for a demo, one channel aktive and the other
passive, easily done with the Ninkas plates. You will be surprised. As far as I know only Linn and Meridian offer such systems. Hector