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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
mst
163 posts
 
You'll have a happy ending
riffer
362 posts
 
I don't think it is a question of being good, but is it $16,000 or so better than some of the other solutions out there like the Logitech Transporter.
eelii08 OP
169 posts
 
I love the Slim devices gears. I myself have a system of 6 running all over my house. Also listened to the transporter for a while. Although I do think it is a very good piece of hardware, it felt quite short of the performance of my Esoteric X01-D2. It's convenient and its cool, but I was looking for a streaming solution that could deliver superior performance than my current digital source.

It won't sound 8 times better, that's for sure. Exactly the same as the transporter does not sound 10 times better than the Classic or the Duet. That's not really the point of what I'm trying to learn. I would like to now how it compares to other digital sources at similar or superior price tags, and how would one describe the sounds it produces.

Also if someone has experience regarding integration and synergy of this Linn device with other non Linn system.
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
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