B&W cm8 with Linn Majik dsm streamer and AMP???

[jodycowie]

Hello fellow hifiers !!

Bit of advice required please. I receintly purchased the CM8s and im delighted with them. During my demo they were paired up with the Naim super uniti. This is what i was aiming for but i fancy the Linn.

Anybody had any experience with this set up good or bad?

Im running the Marantz pm6005 at the moment also tried my rotel ra04se. Both struggle. The Marantz is a nightmare with the F*****g thermal cut out within the machine. Does my head in but thats another matter.

Ant advice would be greatly appreciated

cheeRS

 

[CnoEvil]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

My advice is to spend a morning directly comparing the Linn vs the Naim. They sound quite different, no matter what speakers you use.

I haven't compared them through your speakers, but have through many others.

IME. Linn sounds more refined and delicate, while being more accurate with piano.
Naim seems more "up beat" and exciting....toe tapping if you like. Personally, I feel like I'm being slapped about the face by the music. I also find Naim less refined and a little harsher.

You will find yourself being naturally drawn to one or the other....which may depend on the type of music you listen to and how you like it presented.

 

[Vladimir]

Consider that the typical partner for B&W CM8 and CM10 is Rotel RB-1582, which is a sumo wrestler compared to your PM6005 and RA-04 racing jockeys. I don't think the Majik 2100 has enough power (100W in 4 ohms) to push the CM8s to their potential. The Akurate 2200 should do fine with 200W in 4 ohms. I'd aim for that baby.

Also I hope the fans inside Linn power amps are silent because with B&W floorstanders they will never be off.

 

[Paulq]

Also I hope the fans inside Linn power amps are silent because with B&W floorstanders they will never be off.

I ran a Linn Majik for 5 years with B&W floorstanders - never an issue.

 

[Paulq]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

My advice is to spend a morning directly comparing the Linn vs the Naim. They sound quite different, no matter what speakers you use.

I haven't compared them through your speakers, but have through many others.

IME. Linn sounds more refined and delicate, while being more accurate with piano. Naim seems more "up beat" and exciting....toe tapping if you like. Personally, I feel like I'm being slapped about the face by the music. I also find Naim less refined and a little harsher.

You will find yourself being naturally drawn to one or the other....which may depend on the type of music you listen to and how you like it presented.

CNo is spot on and as a former Linn owner and current Naim owner I'd agree with his comments. The comment in the other reply ref the Akurate is also bob on as that's a real step up in performance from the Majik though, alas, also a real step up in cost as you also have to add a power amp before you get going.

Linn stuff, IMO, tends to sound a bit more 'polite' and presents the music to you whereas I find Naim tends to smash you round the head with it - definitely a bit more ballsy but I like that. After 15 odd years of running Linn stuff I am really enjoying my Naim set up but neither would I preclude myself from owning Linn again in the future.

As ever the key is go and have a listen to both (and others) - that in itself is good fun. Whatever you buy out of those two I am sure you will enjoy it so good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[rainsoothe]

Hi. As the others have said, try to audition. The CM8 are rather smooth sounding (if they're S1), so partnering them with the smooth Linn might make it too dull. Superuniti is really nice. If you wanna go cheaper naim, try Nac 172 XS with Nap155XS, but do audition, this might be too smooth as well.

 

[jodycowie]

Perfect, thank you very much. Looks like a listen to both would be best eh!!

Again thanks for the reply.

jod

 

[jodycowie]

Spot on, like the advice. Ill have a listen of a few possabilities id say. Going by the advice on here, it would be the best option.

Thanks again

jod