linn speaker ninka- active vs passive

I'd definitely recommend going aktiv - I have a Linn system with Katans and recently went aktiv with a 5125 amp. The difference was surprising all round - better bass, mids and treble, with more detailed and precise imaging. I'd never have believed the tiny Katans could produce the sound the way they now do, and disappear so completely.

Aktiv is the way to go with Linn. Your comments about the Linn sounding thin on the bass the first time you heard them is the same experience I had. However, once I played material with strong bass lines, specifically listening for it, I found that Linn had lots of tight and tuneful bass. I would suggest that what you perceive as being thin bass might in fact be more accurate bass, and balanced with the rest of the spectrum. One of Linn's guiding principles is pitch accurate reproduction. And nothing screws up the magical midrange like tubby, thumpy bass that isn't accurately reproduced, especially by uncontrolled woofers. This is why active can make a big improvement. As part of the elimination of the speaker's crossover, you get better driver control. I can't wait to go active with my Ninkas.

update: installed my aktiv cards yesterday for my LK140/ninka combo and immediately heard the difference. now the bass is effortless, but more interestingly, the whole sound is a little different. almost like they are different speakers. this isnt bad, just different.

Markphd, i realized your reasoning about the 'thumpy' vs accurate' bass is correct- and it really depends on the source material. classical and jazz the bass sounds great but modern pop sound seems to be mixed for boom-box sound.

thanks everyone for the advice!

james

James,

Wait for ~200 hours until the cards burn in (they seem to take a long time) They will sound much closer to the original sound with far more defined bass and clearer highs.