@cosmicjazz The Linn system can be used with any speakers, It is a rather elaborate system so I recommend you read a good review or speak to a Linn dealer. I heard the Linn DSM Selekt with Linn speakers but if you do some internet searches you will notice Linn introduced the DSM Selekt to the USA this year demoing with non-Linn speakers, KEF and B&W.
There is something about phase alignment of the drivers that works best with Linn speakers and the Linn products (?). They also have some customized configurations for non-Linn speakers for the DSM Selekt. This is the stuff you should speak to a Linn dealer about. I am no expert and getting myself confused here.
I was rather impressed with the DSM and was hoping that they would come out with a analog source input module, like the Lyngdorf 3400, but Linn decided to go multi-channel in the expansion modules and not support analog modules. They do have a turntable input but I need tuner and SACD player analogue inputs.
If your setup is digital only or digital and turntable, then the Linn with the upgraded DAC is pretty amazing. The Linn SPACE OPTIMIZATION seems more complicated than the Lyngdorf microphone based approach. Linn says the mc approach is not the way to go. I am sure Lyngdorf, Anthem, Deqx et al would disagree.
The DeqX preamp was one I also looked into but decided it was a little more complicated to setup. You need to take 1 of your speakers to an open area, preferably a backyard, and run some tests on it so the Deqx can be calibrated for the speakers. Then you need to run some calibration in the room where the speakers are going to reside. Too much work for me and I live near an airport.
I also demoed the Lyngdorf integrated and did not like the amp in it, though I liked the preamp section a lot. I thought a separate preamp and amp were the way I would go with room correction. I was also looking at the Anthem STR preamp since it has killer features. However, at the end of the day I found some different electronics that I liked over all the DSP units I heard and decided to scale down my speaker selection so I could use those electronics without DSP.
