2. amps-preamps
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LINN Majik vs Classik vs Wakonda vs Kairn

I have owned a Linn Kairn for over 10 years. I have no complaints nor do I ever plan to sell it. Recently I acquired a LINN Majik for a second system and was REALLY amazed at how good it sounds. Even the small 33wpc amp built into the Majik seems capable enough to drive smaller speakers. The excellence of the Majik made me wonder if the LINN Classik Music sounded as good as the Majik or possibly better?

I have also heard that the Wakonda with 'Circular Brilliant' or 'Slimline Brilliant' power supply were very good preamps. Are these two different Wakonda versions better or different sonically than the Majik or Classik Music? I have never heard any reference to the 'Slimline Brilliant' being vastly superior to the 'Circular Brilliant'? (Only that 'Slimline' is just better) My hunch is that the 'Circular Brilliant' is a torroidal transformer inside a shielded case. Does anyone know what's inside the 'Circular Brilliant'?

So, are there any strong opinions as to whether the Classik Music sounds better than the Majik? To my knowledge the Majik does NOT have 'Brilliant' power supply, but I'm not sure about the Classik Music?

Also, having the added convenience of a LINN CD player built into the Classik Music makes it very appealing for a small room...but is this internal LINN CD player really worth the up charge for an all-in-one unit, vs these other LINN offerings like Wakonda or Majik?

How would you compare these four different Linn preamps, sonically, especially the major differences between Majik, Classik and Wakonda? I presume the Kairn is the best of the bunch.

And as a follow-up question, is it safe to 'split' the preamp output on the Majik 2 or 3 times and use one pair to drive an external amp and another pair of outputs to reconnect to the Majik? I can't see any reason why this would harm the Majik, but would there be a limit to how many times you could split the preamp-out signal of ANY preamp? The Classik Music DOES include a dedicated Pre-out, but the Majik does not. Does splitting a pre-out signal effectively split the output power?

Thanks in advance for any comments.
nsmith7

Showing 5 responses by mjcmt

mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
709 posts
 
I owned a Majik with the slimline brilliant power supply.
They did upgrade the power supply on the later model Majiks.

Very good, peppy sounding integrated amp.

The beauty of this integrated is the robust power supply and a "mini" Klout amplifier inside, enabling the power output to doubles (66w/ch) into 4 ohms.

Now 66 w/ch. isn't to shabby for a little package.
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
709 posts
 
If you open the integrated the slimline ps looks just like the name says. It is a chrome slim rectangular shielded case inside. The older brilliant ps was shielded, but round like a toroidal transformer.

The Majik preamp section is a Wakonda.

This integrated is awesome. I added LK100s to bi-amp and they are not as good as the Majik amp section.

Now the LK 85 is supposed to be a great match if you want to bi-amp, if your speakers allow you to.

This is one great integrated and it really does get better w/ Linn speaker cable and interconnects.
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
709 posts
 
I concur with Eldragon that this amp driving Linn speakers is the way to go. Incidentally Linn speakers are 4 ohm so the Majik develops 66 watts. This integrated is very stable into 4 ohms unlike other small Brit integrated amps.
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
709 posts
 
Dilly,
If your speakers are bi-wireable you may consider adding a second Linn amp to bi-amp them at some time in the future. You will get louder sound, greater dynamics, bigger soundstage, and better bass.

As you can afford it you may consider a LK-85 for the lows. Use the Majik for the highs and the LK-85 for the lows. To hook it up go use the pre out from the Majik connected to the LK input, then from the LK output back to the Majik amp in. All Linn amps have the ability to daisy chain many amps together for better sound. Try to pick up Linn Black interconnects as they do make a difference with Linn.
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
709 posts
 
It may be quite old.

The 1st Briliant Power Supply was the size of a toroidal. It BPS wad inside a shielded enclosure the size of a toroidal. Are you sure you don't have that one? If you have a small S/N you may not have a BPS. The round BPS was an improvement over the original.

The latest version had a very small shielded slim BPS in the area where the other was, hence the name slimline brilliant ps. Linn claims it was their best version of the Majik.

At about that time Linn also when from through-the-hole soldering to state of the art surface-soldering. It was a massive investment in retooling but yielded the shortest signal path an a very fast sound.

That is the the one I had, but I personally don't know the sonic differences between the versions. This latest version with surface mounted devices and slimline BPS is unofficially know as the Majik II

I hope this helps.
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