Is Linn really that good?

[davedotco]

After I submit my post i've thought of that, never eard a Linn as a source, but still Cno 2500€ (give or take) for a source, hell i'll be a hole year demoing digital sources with that kind of money...

I think i've find mine already but need to save up some €s first... Have ever heard this...?

http://www.lindemann-audio.de/en/products/musicbook-series/

The Sneaky is the best digital source I've heard at around £1k (less ex-dem).

If only it had onboard support for Spotify.......... :doh:

 

[PEAYEL]

Yes, Linn network players are really that good. I have listened to all of them, mainly with Linn power amps in systems that I couldn't afford. So are Cyrus and Naim. It just boils down to ears and musical taste etc. I recently heard the top Chord streamer, with Cyrus signature power amps and KEF speakers. It was astounding to say the least.

If you live or are passing through Leicester, pay a visit to Symbiosis, they have a top level Linn system, that will blow the cobwebs out of any audio preconceptions that you may have. It's just great.

 

[matt49]

If the Linn system is too expensive for you, there may be cheaper ways to achieve the same result. I’ve no doubt the Linn streamers are excellent, but they’re very expensive for what you get.

For instance, you could try plugging a Mac via USB into a good DAC. There are plenty of people with high-end amps and speakers who do this and think it’s just as good as a Linn or Naim streamer.

You may decide that the Linn streamer is better; but it’s worth trying the cheaper route.

:cheers:

Matt

 

[lindsayt]

Ernie, I think you should try to listen to a wider range of kit. You could host or a attend a bake-off or two. I'd be happy to bring a £415 system to any bake-off that you or your dealer might host.

yes listening to to a wider variety of manufacturers kit sounds like a plan. I still can take away the sheer quality I heard from the Linn equipment today and beating it will be difficult.

What would your £415 selection be?

Denon CD player, Urei amp, Sansui SP 5500 speakers.

 

[the record spot]

My streaming system draws me into the music and leaves me grinning from ear to ear at times. I've heard a Linn too a couple of years back and I don't feel that I'm losing out now.

 

[CnoEvil]

:? Last time it was the best source below 2k. Any more offers?

It's good to see you're paying attention.

(though it was £2k CDPs that I actually said, which isn't quite the same thing). :shifty:

Read Mark Learn and Inwardly Digest......as one of my old school masters used to say.

 

[lindsayt]

I think CnoEvil's got a good handle on the strengths and weaknesses of the current Linn product range. Good digital streamers, meh amps and speakers that are OK, but face stiff opposition from elsewhere.

 

[davedotco]

:? Last time it was the best source below 2k. Any more offers?

It's good to see you're paying attention.

(though it was £2k CDPs that I actually said, which isn't quite the same thing). :shifty:

Read Mark Learn and Inwardly Digest......as one of my old school masters used to say.

Cno, out of interest, what would be the simplest, least expensive option to get a Sneaky DS(M) to stream Spotify.

Any ideas or sugestions?

 

[DocG]

:? Last time it was the best source below 2k. Any more offers?

It's good to see you're paying attention.

(though it was £2k CDPs that I actually said, which isn't quite the same thing). :shifty:

Read Mark Learn and Inwardly Digest......as one of my old school masters used to say.

Cno, out of interest, what would be the simplest, least expensive option to get a Sneaky DS(M) to stream Spotify.

Any ideas or sugestions?

On the site it says:

If you use online streaming apps like Spotify, Netflix or YouTube, no problem. Just use our Songcast app to send it all to your Linn.

Send any audio from your computer to your Linn system and get better sound from your music services and from web pages. Available for Windows 7 and Mac OS X

It looks like this way your computer sees the DS device as an outboard soundcard (over ethernet?), not unlike what Devialet do over USB.

Seems simple and inexpensive.

 

[chebby]

What about streaming anything from an iPhone or iPad? (BBC iPlayer, iTunes stuff I have synced to them, podcasts, TuneIn Radio Pro, YouTube etc.)

I currently use AirPlay for everything. Can I assume Linn have their own equivalent means?

I wouldn't want to resort to using a computer as a source again. (Nor have to 'tether' the iDevice with a USB lead.)

 

[CnoEvil]

What about streaming anything from an iPhone or iPad? (BBC iPlayer, iTunes stuff I have synced to them, podcasts, TuneIn Radio Pro, YouTube etc.)

I currently use AirPlay for everything. Can I assume Linn have their own equivalent means?

I wouldn't want to resort to using a computer as a source again. (Nor have to 'tether' the iDevice with a USB lead.)

I'm not good with this sort of stuff, but I think it's quite possible:

http://www.linn.co.uk/support/using-your-system/play-music-wirelessly

 

[davedotco]

What about streaming anything from an iPhone or iPad? (BBC iPlayer, iTunes stuff I have synced to them, podcasts, TuneIn Radio Pro, YouTube etc.)

I currently use AirPlay for everything. Can I assume Linn have their own equivalent means?

I wouldn't want to resort to using a computer as a source again.

This is very much the point, not having onboard support for streaming services strikes me as odd in a streaming device.

I currently use Airplay but would prefer my music data to use a wired network with the iPad as remote control only.

Using an AEX with a Sneaky is pointless for me, I'm really only using the dac so poor value.

I guess I'm really looking for a Connect with better audio quality, I have heard the Cullen/W4S modded Connect and think it is excellent if rather pricey, still wondering if there is a hi- :? fi alternative.......

 

[AlbaBrown]

Could it also be that Q Acoustic 2050i's really are NOT the sort of speaker you put on the end of a Naim? Or a Linn for that matter!

Oh, and have been reliably informed that Prince Charles has recently purchased at least 3 full Naim Systems!

Considering his mum has bestowed an Award on Salisbury's finest twice, it was about time Charlie towed the line

 

[CnoEvil]

Here is an overview of the Linn DSM and how it can be used:

https://c758759.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/listing_pdfs/1606/DS_Brochure2013_email..pdf

 

[davedotco]

Here is an overview of the Linn DSM and how it can be used:

https://c758759.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/listing_pdfs/1606/DS_Brochure2013_email..pdf

Thanks Cno, very informative.

Sadly it just confirms that if you want to stream music over the internet, you still need a computer on, either wired or wireless.

Pity as a Sneaky DS and a pair of AVI DM5s would be a very interesting system to try. Might hasten the apocalypse but what the hell..... :twisted:

 

[John Duncan]

I think a Sonos:Connect and a pair of DM5s* makes a very interesting system, but then I don't subscribe to the value of >16/44 recordings. I do subscribe to the value of offboard DACs, but I have one already, and if I wanted to be more minimalist I think I'd be happy with the SonLink.

*Other active speakers are available.

 

[davedotco]

I think a Sonos:Connect and a pair of DM5s* makes a very interesting system, but then I don't subscribe to the value of >16/44 recordings. I do subscribe to the value of offboard DACs, but I have one already, and if I wanted to be more minimalist I think I'd be happy with the SonLink.

*Other active speakers are available.

Interestingly (or not) I had always considered the ADM9 as the obvious pairing with a Connect (modded or not). I t ticks all the boxes in that it has a decent dac and a remote volume, allowing the Connect to operate with the digital output 'direct'.

The Connect + ADM pairing is my minimalist 'system to beat' in the sub £2k range, I thought a Sneaky DS + DM5 might be an alternative hence the request for more information.

 

[chebby]

Here is an overview of the Linn DSM and how it can be used:

https://c758759.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/listing_pdfs/1606/DS_Brochure2013_email..pdf

O

Ok. There is a bit where it says...

"Oh , and did we mention AirPlay? You can play your favourite songs through your Linn system by hitting the AirPlay button on your iPad, iPhones or iTunes"

And...

"Support for Apple AirPlay for iPad, Iphone, iTouch and Mac."

Seems straightforward enough (although I would want that demonstrated with everything I currently use via AirPlay.)

 

[marou]

I stream Spotify (and other audio apps) from an iPad via a Majik DSM with no problems - I think Linn reverse-engineer Airplay functionality into their streamers. And yes it is very good, better than Naim in my view. But starting again with a smaller budget I'd probably go for an Airport Express/iPad/iTunes/integrated amp combo

 

[Neuphonix]

I Love my Linn streamer. When I was considering its purchase I wasn't sure exactly why I needed it as my computer is on most of the time I'm home anyway.

But having lived with it for over a year now I couldn't imagine life with-out it.

I will say however that it is not quite a plug n play device, it has required some technical upkeep & experimentation. Which for me is an added bonus, but won't suit all potential users.

Not to mention the hours that I've spent ripping CDs & tidying up meta tagging. Don't think that you're going to plug you old itunes library in & everything will be in the right place. This may not bother some, but for a neat freak like me it needed to be fixed. Now that I'm almost finished, starting to reap the rewards however, an immaculate library is a thing of joy.

Apparently Linn are about to release a new UPNP set-up called Kazoo which will work in tandem with their Songbox server software. In the final stages of development, dues some time in the next few months I think. This will replace Kinsky which is not loved by all.

I regularly use Spotify via air-tunes with no issues. The Songcast app is functional, but often feels like a tacked on second thought. Not sure if it's becase I'm a Mac user or some network issue, but I find that it's sound quality is not as good as the DS & it seems to break after every firmware update.

This is a thread on the Linn development forum which talks about Spotify integration, with a few interesting comments by a Linn staffer as to why they have chosen not to go in this direction:

http://forums.linn.co.uk/bb/showthread.php?tid=25723

I have also found this article to be helpful is grasping the building blocks of a DLNA based network system:

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/524-complete-guide-hifi-upnp-dlna-network-audio/

 

[chebby]

The DSM version is a nice enough looking box for what it is. Only a bit more pricey than the UnitiQute (considering the Naim offering would need another £99 for an ATV3 to get AirPlay).

My speakers would be be fine. (I've used Rega R3s with the 25wpc Arcam Solo-Mini so 33wpc shouldn't be a problem for my listening levels.)

However, no FM. (But it has optical and HDMI inputs so I could use Freeview Radio if t'internet was sh#gged.)

However it is still v expensive so it would have to be v. v. good indeed.

No truck with 'laws of diminishing returns' on this one! (Or any expensive upgrades from now on.) It will have to be at least three times better than a Marantz M-CRwhatever.

('Law of diminishing returns' finally went out the window with the financial collapse and no longer justifies spending heaps of money to get a fractional increase in quality. Sod that kind of 1990s thinking!)

 

[NHL]

Audio.de give Linn very high scores, it must have something.

My B&W A7 is another option, which is surprisingly good. DAC+Active speakers+Streamer.

 

[John Duncan]

I think a Sonos:Connect and a pair of DM5s* makes a very interesting system, but then I don't subscribe to the value of >16/44 recordings. I do subscribe to the value of offboard DACs, but I have one already, and if I wanted to be more minimalist I think I'd be happy with the SonLink.

*Other active speakers are available.

Interestingly (or not) I had always considered the ADM9 as the obvious pairing with a Connect (modded or not). I t ticks all the boxes in that it has a decent dac and a remote volume, allowing the Connect to operate with the digital output 'direct'.

The Connect + ADM pairing is my minimalist 'system to beat' in the sub £2k range, I thought a Sneaky DS + DM5 might be an alternative hence the request for more information.

Agreed, the 9s are a better fit functionally but I can't (or will not, more correctly) accommodate them, they're too big.

 

[davedotco]

I think a Sonos:Connect and a pair of DM5s* makes a very interesting system, but then I don't subscribe to the value of >16/44 recordings. I do subscribe to the value of offboard DACs, but I have one already, and if I wanted to be more minimalist I think I'd be happy with the SonLink.

*Other active speakers are available.

Interestingly (or not) I had always considered the ADM9 as the obvious pairing with a Connect (modded or not). I t ticks all the boxes in that it has a decent dac and a remote volume, allowing the Connect to operate with the digital output 'direct'.

The Connect + ADM pairing is my minimalist 'system to beat' in the sub £2k range, I thought a Sneaky DS + DM5 might be an alternative hence the request for more information.

Agreed, the 9s are a better fit functionally but I can't (or will not, more correctly) accommodate them, they're too big.

ADM 9 dimensions 30 x 20 x 26, Wharfedale 9.1 dimensions 30 x 19 x 28. Are you looking to downsize?

Not a lot in it.......... :? Maybe the 'baggage' takes up all the space.......

 

[CnoEvil]

Thanks Cno, very informative.

Sadly it just confirms that if you want to stream music over the internet, you still need a computer on, either wired or wireless.

Pity as a Sneaky DS and a pair of AVI DM5s would be a very interesting system to try. Might hasten the apocalypse but what the hell..... :twisted:

I think if your phone has access to the internet, you may be able to use that....but I stand to be corrected by folks with a more technical bent.