Stuart,
I have an all Linn Aktiv system. I did experiment with other interconnects but the Linn black ones were better than all others except for the Linn silver which I couldn't jusitfy. I'm not much help here but will say that my Wakonda has two ouputs. It doesn't matter whether I take a single output and daisy chain the amps or go directly to the amps separately. It also doesn't matter if I go first to the bass amp or the treble. All possible configurations sound the same.
My experience is that the Aktiv configuration processes difficult and busy passages much better. The sound stage is wider and deeper and everything is placed solidly. I don't know about burn in of the cards since I bought mine used but I wouldn't doubt that time will have an affect like it does with nearly every other component. It seems to me (and I have no experience in this regard) that the interconnects should be the same from the preamp through the amplifiers unless you are trying to change tonal characteristics.
One additional thought I'll pass on. This is based on my experience with Linn speakers in general and may not apply in your case. I have found that they like very little toe in. So little, in fact, that I wondered if it was worth it. It was. A slight toe in leaves the frequency extremes intact and gives a slightly bigger sweet spot. Too much toe in and the extremes suffer as well as a decrease in imaging. For reference, when comparing the Kustone base front to rear, there is a 1 1/2" difference. I hope this helps.
I don't want to start any kind of debate on this and offer it only as another observation through the years. I've found that placing the speakers along the long wall is far superior to the other arrangements. Also, while the Ninkas are floor standers, they don't want to be away from the wall as much as others. Again, for reference, mine are 13 1/2" from the rear wall using the base as a point to measure from.
Isn't the bass improvement stunning? My experience is that more of my software is very enjoyable for some reason and that everything seems so effortless. Have fun.
Patrick
I have an all Linn Aktiv system. I did experiment with other interconnects but the Linn black ones were better than all others except for the Linn silver which I couldn't jusitfy. I'm not much help here but will say that my Wakonda has two ouputs. It doesn't matter whether I take a single output and daisy chain the amps or go directly to the amps separately. It also doesn't matter if I go first to the bass amp or the treble. All possible configurations sound the same.
My experience is that the Aktiv configuration processes difficult and busy passages much better. The sound stage is wider and deeper and everything is placed solidly. I don't know about burn in of the cards since I bought mine used but I wouldn't doubt that time will have an affect like it does with nearly every other component. It seems to me (and I have no experience in this regard) that the interconnects should be the same from the preamp through the amplifiers unless you are trying to change tonal characteristics.
One additional thought I'll pass on. This is based on my experience with Linn speakers in general and may not apply in your case. I have found that they like very little toe in. So little, in fact, that I wondered if it was worth it. It was. A slight toe in leaves the frequency extremes intact and gives a slightly bigger sweet spot. Too much toe in and the extremes suffer as well as a decrease in imaging. For reference, when comparing the Kustone base front to rear, there is a 1 1/2" difference. I hope this helps.
I don't want to start any kind of debate on this and offer it only as another observation through the years. I've found that placing the speakers along the long wall is far superior to the other arrangements. Also, while the Ninkas are floor standers, they don't want to be away from the wall as much as others. Again, for reference, mine are 13 1/2" from the rear wall using the base as a point to measure from.
Isn't the bass improvement stunning? My experience is that more of my software is very enjoyable for some reason and that everything seems so effortless. Have fun.
Patrick