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Linn Klimax DS. How good is it?

Hi all. My first post. Anyway, building up a system for last months since we moved to a new house.

Started with the digital source that I best liked and frmo there went to a right combo of speakers and pre-amp, that would sound well together. You can see in my system choices I made: Esoteric X01-d2, Classe CP-700 pre, Classe CAM-400 monoblocks, and B&W 802D.

From there went with speaker cables, interconnects, conditioner and power cords. After many alternatives and extensive listening, (plus a couple of what proved to be wrong purchases) went all Synergistic Research.

NOw that what I would call the core of the system is done, I want to add two more sources. First one streaming solution and later on will see if I get into analog or not.

So regarding Streaming I was wondering: anyone heard the Klimax DS from Linn? I've read nice reviews of it, for what they are worth, and some very positive opinions of "all Linn systems" owners. Have not read many from no Linn customers, like me, who added this piece into their systems.

To all of them. What do you think of this device? How would you describe the sound of it? How does the sound quality compare to the Esoteric, if anyone had the chance to listen to both? Do you think it will be a good fit into my system?

Any feedback to the above questions, or general info based on personla listening will be very welcomed.

Thanks in advance
Eli
eelii08

Showing 3 responses by sarcher30

sarcher30
596 posts
 
I have a Akurate DS which is a step down from a Klimax DS. I love it. Its the only Linn piece of gear in my system. The rest of my system is an Aesthetix Callisto Partial Eclipse pre, Innersound DPR-500 reference amp, and Innersound Kaya loudspeakers. Although nothing like your setup it all works well together.

I have also done a short comparison between the new Ayre DB-9 usb dac and the Akurate DS at my dealers. In their system they where using the Ayre KX-R pre, MX-R amps, and Wilson Max 3 loudspeakers. In that setup I easily prefered the Akurate DS. It had more extention at the frequency extremes and also a more open sound. Since I already owned the Akurate at the time I may be a little biased.

Unfortunately or fortunately for my wallet my dealer does not have a Klimax to compare to.

In my experience the Linn sounds great in two systems that are not all Linn.

I don't have any experience with esoteric gear so I can't compare the Linn with that.

If you have a Linn dealer near by you could borrow one of their Akurate disc players to get an idea of the sound with your system. Thats what I did.

Cheers,

Sean
sarcher30
596 posts
 
Eli, The bass response is very extended and detailed. No mushiness or bloat. As far as being life-like, in my system its as life-like as I have heard. It will depend on how resolving the rest of your system is.
sarcher30
596 posts
 
Eeli, Glad you got to try out the Klimax DS. I thought I would just mention that you could regain the weight to the presentation by readjusting the position of your speakers. The presentation of the DS is different than your Esoteric. Seems to me you would just need to make some minor adjustments to make it work for your setup.

Good luck in you search.

Sean
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