Linn Classik All-in-one box solutions

Arcam Solo or NAD L53.

For a 2-box solution, I agree on the Classik with an LK85. Also consider the other way around: a Genki with a Majik.

One-box solutions are pretty much limited to Linn, NAD and Arcam at the moment. OTOH the Magnum Dynalab MD-208 has no CD player, but a great tuner, and IMHO a better amp than the Classik, Majik or LK85.

Audio Analogue just came out with the Enigma , an all-in-one that was reviewed pretty highly and received a Best Buy in this month's HiFi Choice (Page 62). The unit has tubes, no less. Supposedly it looks and sounds great and the price is GBP850, which would put in the Arcam's price range. Don't know about US availability.

As for a matching two box solution, the Music Hall A25.2 integrated amp & cd player are hard to beat and pretty sweet at $1100 (more rhyming is a New Year's resolution).

Regards, Rich

The Linn has pre-out. Great feature! Down the road, you can piece-meal a higher quality separates system. You can plug in an outboard amplifier, bypassing the Linn amp, while maintaining all the other Linn pre-amp, tuner & CD functions. It's a great way to bettter the Linn sound, and logically build into a separates system, or a second system.
btw, I find the CD sound quite pleasing in the Linn. The remote us absurdly large, not particularly logical in its layout, and not well balanced ergonimically.

A really great sounding 2 box solution is the Quad 99 CDP (CD player with analog variable volume control and extra digital inputs for DVD, cable, etc)and a Quad 99 or Quad 909 amp. Check out the professional reviews. Absolute Sound and others have loved this combo.

Enjoy,

TIC