Love your company and your honest take. After owning tons of other folks, I adopted Linn over 20 years ago, and have stayed true to the path, and love it as much today as ever. But I will say, I found myself returning over and over to your booth at axpona. Wow! You have to be so proud of your showing! And that Joni Mitchell dsd? Insane! Thank you for such a musical synergistic presentation!
@default LoL .. I’m a retired engineer, and he seems a lot like a salesman to me. I’d be willing to bet on that being his role for many, many years. And the businesses that I’ve been in, there were salesman that were just as technical or even more so; don’t let his pseudo technical abilities or knowledge confuse you. The bottom line is, at the end of the day, everybody needs bread for sustenance.
Off topic but my brother and I had a great time at Axpona Friday. The first system we heard was your Fr20s. And they did not disappoint. So much so that we made that system are last stop out the door. It was so great to meet you and you taking the time to be so personable. I’m looking forward to hearing the fr10. They sound to be perfect for my room size and budget. All your team seem to be outstanding people. Wish you all the best!!!
For years there was an unwritten gentlemens agreement between Linn and Naim that as long as Naim didn't make a turntable, Linn would not make a CD player. When Linn finally broke the agreement and released it's first CD player the owner of Naim bought one and used it as a door stop for his office. 😃 Several thousand pounds worth of doorstop. 😀
Several thousand pounds should certainly serve to keep the door from moving. One wonders how he moved it when he wanted to open or close the door. (Please don't tell me a pound is a unit of British currency, I know that. To quote Foghorn Leghorn, "It's a joke son, it's a joke!")
A friend of mine managed to get a rear suspension upright out of Williams (from one of their F1 cars) and used it as a door stop. Way more expensive than the CD player and also a totally ineffective door stop due to its low mass 😅
Again, such a respectful treatment of competition, making the advice far more credible! For me, such behavior shows that PS Audio plays in the top ligue with no need to "look down" on their competition.
It's nice to hear you using the word system. I once went in to an awful and prolific hi-fi shop here in the UK and spoke about a hi-fi system, to which the dismissive salesman responded "we don't sell systems here, only separates". I couldn't get through to the guy that when you combine the separate hi-fi elements you produce a system. Needless to say I didn't waste any more of my time in Sevenoaks HiFi and haven't gone back since.
Sticking with Linn speakers gives you a chance to go Activ but you need lots of Amps to do that and the solid-state cross-overs to go in the amps. (Aktiv cards). You could also look at used older Linn speakers such as the Keilidh or Ninka you will only need 4 channels (2xLK140) to drive them in Aktiv). I have active Keilighs on my main system and love them. That all said, my bedroom system is a very modest Linn Classik, Squeezebox touch as source (streaming tidal lossless through Roon) to a Linn Numerik DAC and a pair of Kef Coda 7s (yes that $200 speakers). Kef LS50's may also be worth a look I keep thinking to upgrade my venerable Coda 7s but just never do. All I can really say is if you can, listen to the setup or buy used, don't overpay and be willing to sell it on if it is not to your liking.
Another great and interesting video, in the old days you bought best components for your system, nowadays manufacturers of systems are so good these days don’t have to buy individual components from different suppliers, so I gone through all the specs and reviews on systems to make sure they are good for the budget I have. Carry on with your good work and your expertise in audio hi fi . Regards mark
In terms of gear synergy, I've tended to see what's been together by audio stores whose systems I've particularly admired (e.g., Audio Connection in NJ, in my region), and also following brands often well-paired together at audio shows, etc.; which allows me to expect with more confidence that the purchase of components heard/reviewed elsewhere will fit well into my pre-existing system- and I haven't been let down yet by this approach! To be clear, I've never purchased major gear without hearing it, or at least another example of it by that manufacturer, first in some system somewhere.
Some manufactures if you get the right person will tell you what speakers they use to voice there amplifiers and visa-versa. But it's knowing what type on sonics you prefer. if the Linn is warm do you also want warm speakers? probably not.
My take is if you want to it to look good and tidy, stay with same brand for the looks and hopefully, the performance is acceptable to you..... Else, I would go for best of breed for each component ensuring that synergies are right, that it works well together and sounds great for your ears.
For years I believed the argument for synergy in components and had a full Linn system for 20 years. I recently spent several months researching and upgrading components, with no thought for synergy only thought for the look and sound of individual components. I have what can only be described as a Frankenstein system, retaining only the linn karik cd, though now only as a transport, with a separate DAC. The system to my ears is perfection. I know this because I'm no longer drawn to what is wrong or missing in the presentation, I forget about the system and just hear the music. So I've changed my opinion completely and think synergy is just a word for hifi salesmen to sell more of their own brand of equipment.
As a devote Linn owner with 3 different electronics systems, I never buy their speakers, although the Majik 140’s supposedly sound good. I’d recommend the KEF R Meta series. Linn offen demo’s with KEF in recent years….for what its worth.
I have been a Linn devotee for 20+ years, but when I started moving from CD to server based music storage, and now streaming, PS Audio has crept into my system more and more. Now all that is left of Linn in my room is a pair of Magik 140 speakers which sound better with my BHK 250 than they ever did with Linn amps. Linn does have a synergy, but the price of admission for new gear these days is far beyond most budgets and their upgrade path locks you into their ecosystem in a way that I don't agree with.
Here's an idea for you Paul what could sort out the problem of different rooms with different systems. If you make a programmable dsp active crossover that still can be used with passive speakers of course that's not an issue, you would have programmables set from different environments you'd set up in the chip a calibrated mic that comes with the system what you could get for less than $10 in bulk, a two band subsonic graphic equals three band mid-range graphic equaliser, and a two band high frequency graphic equaliser, all controlled from an app with your phone, That's important. This being operated in the digital domain active gain no sound degregation. The presets can be just be used with people who just want to set it up quickly knowing the size of their room and the material is made from, or the calibrated mic for more accurate setup. With a graph on your phone with r e w say! Having four different crossover topologys and slopes roll off. This could be done fairly easily it's not complicated and shouldn't be an expensive to put together, selling the unit for no more than $1,200
I hope this one gets consideration; we customers need the ability to individualize settings on the crossover to adjust the sound to our taste, without fearing of phase shifts like equalizers later in the chain, would add.
@@goodsound4756 That is done with car audio systems for many different car interior environments with cars. It’s all done with adjustable individual external crossover’s points along with advanced software you use on a laptop for fine tuning in real time on the system. All done through a DSP processor. If you want to change something later on in the system, plug in the laptop.
@@goodsound4756 The only reason the home audio sector’s don’t do that I can only assume is related to profit margins on sales. The main issue is the home audio speaker crossovers are installed inside the cabinets. They are not adjustable for fine tuning. Focal made an external crossover that has a 3-way external "parametric" crossover with 4480 combinations of settings.
@@goodsound4756 but anytime you change your frequency even in a standard crossover of course the greater the role off say 52db the less phase shift will occur, You're always going to get phase shift on the edge the driver's roll off point it is more apparent on lower frequency tho. You can have off phase shift as well as on phase shift and boundary shift. The good thing about the thing I mentioned is with calibrated mic you are adjusting for the acoustics of the room boundary not just the speakers this could be made up to do both, to measure the boundary frequency and measuring listening point but this is not taking an average either and mixing them together like some systems do already.
Look at the second hand market for linn stuff, example I picked up passive linn klimax 350 speakers and then upgraded the modules to make them fully active, the sound is amazing. I also picked up a linn klimax ds1 renew. Stunning. Especially for 7000 pounds for the whole upgrade. All on e bay too. 😅
The worst audio purchase I have ever made was buying an integrated amplifier and speakers that specifically said they were designed to work together. Neither the speaker or the amplifier sound great alone, but they sound particularly bad together. I think Andrew Jones and I have different taste when it comes to sound quality. I think he likes rolled off highs, so when both the speakers and the amp were designed to his taste, it sounds to me like the speaker is wrapped in a quilt.
Hey Michael, I’ve been a Linn customer for many years. Love some products no so much others. I think Linn speakers worked better and had more of Linn sound (Tukan, Kaber, Keltik). Not sure what the Linn used market looks like your side of the pond but I would either audition a pair of Kaber or as Paul says, look around. New Linn speakers to me are overpriced and as much as you LK140 is great I am not sure it would have enough juice to run them. Maybe stick with other UK brands that have similar sound (if that’s what you like)
Agree. My all active Linn system is not a truly exciting sound with Rock. However, give it most other music and the detail is stunning. All depends on YOUR ears…..no one else’s. Enjoy the music once you find what your ears like.
Michael, if you end up seeing this video and read this comment. Im in the Seattle area, and have a set of Linn Vinkas that I’d like to get rid of. Post a reply if you’re interested in hearing them and I’ll find a way to connect.
I would say virtually no companies do EVERYTHING they make right, unless they only make a small selection of things (like, for instance, Ayre). There's a few brands that get most categories 'quite right'. Linn is one of them, as is Cambridge, as is Yamaha or even Rotel. But even then I would still prefer certain things from other brands. And some brands should just stick to making Playstations and Photocamera's, but I won't name any names :D.
So your saying that, u won´t necessary benefit from putting together a whole system by one brand only? U should be able to point out specific items from your range of audio products, and exspect some synergy, right? I known 4 sure that it can be a great advantage to stick with one or two brands only, in ones system. My amps and speakers, is from the same manufactory, and also the cables connecting those. Rest of my system is from another brand. The two brands are: lavardin and Rega. Never had a better system. Said that, i of course know what your mean Paul. Peace and love from Debmark.
McIntosh. There, I said it for you. Good electronics, bad speakers. Krell also did the same thing two decades or so ago, remember their metal speakers?
I have never liked Linn. Over priced and their products never performed that well. Their turntables, amplifiers have a magic word making them better even though the technical measurements of every kind is in the midrange to low end. I have never found Linn any better than a Rega which i
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Love your company and your honest take. After owning tons of other folks, I adopted Linn over 20 years ago, and have stayed true to the path, and love it as much today as ever. But I will say, I found myself returning over and over to your booth at axpona. Wow! You have to be so proud of your showing! And that Joni Mitchell dsd? Insane! Thank you for such a musical synergistic presentation!
Great to hear a true professional and a gentleman give honest and common sense practical advice.
😵💫Why don’t you ask him to dinner?
@default LoL .. I’m a retired engineer, and
he seems a lot like a salesman to me. I’d be willing to bet on that being his role for many, many years. And the businesses that I’ve been in, there were salesman that were just as technical or even more so; don’t let his pseudo technical abilities or knowledge confuse you. The bottom line is, at the end of the day, everybody needs bread for sustenance.
Off topic but my brother and I had a great time at Axpona Friday. The first system we heard was your Fr20s. And they did not disappoint. So much so that we made that system are last stop out the door.
It was so great to meet you and you taking the time to be so
personable. I’m looking forward to hearing the fr10. They sound to be perfect for my room size and budget.
All your team seem to be outstanding people. Wish you all the best!!!
For years there was an unwritten gentlemens agreement between Linn and Naim that as long as Naim didn't make a turntable, Linn would not make a CD player. When Linn finally broke the agreement and released it's first CD player the owner of Naim bought one and used it as a door stop for his office. 😃 Several thousand pounds worth of doorstop. 😀
Several thousand pounds should certainly serve to keep the door from moving. One wonders how he moved it when he wanted to open or close the door. (Please don't tell me a pound is a unit of British currency, I know that. To quote Foghorn Leghorn, "It's a joke son, it's a joke!")
They tore the guts out of it..
@@sourdoughhome2571
Excellent story ! I wonder if it's true? 👍
A friend of mine managed to get a rear suspension upright out of Williams (from one of their F1 cars) and used it as a door stop. Way more expensive than the CD player and also a totally ineffective door stop due to its low mass 😅
'Amplifier of the Month Club' is what one shop calls its customers who always seem to blame the amp for a systems issues, it's rarely the amp.
Again, such a respectful treatment of competition, making the advice far more credible!
For me, such behavior shows that PS Audio plays in the top ligue with no need to "look down" on their competition.
"Ligue"???
@@tabl10soh my...another spelling drama queen
It's nice to hear you using the word system. I once went in to an awful and prolific hi-fi shop here in the UK and spoke about a hi-fi system, to which the dismissive salesman responded "we don't sell systems here, only separates". I couldn't get through to the guy that when you combine the separate hi-fi elements you produce a system. Needless to say I didn't waste any more of my time in Sevenoaks HiFi and haven't gone back since.
Paul, You are really a "fair player" and fine guy! Hats off!
Sticking with Linn speakers gives you a chance to go Activ but you need lots of Amps to do that and the solid-state cross-overs to go in the amps. (Aktiv cards). You could also look at used older Linn speakers such as the Keilidh or Ninka you will only need 4 channels (2xLK140) to drive them in Aktiv). I have active Keilighs on my main system and love them. That all said, my bedroom system is a very modest Linn Classik, Squeezebox touch as source (streaming tidal lossless through Roon) to a Linn Numerik DAC and a pair of Kef Coda 7s (yes that $200 speakers). Kef LS50's may also be worth a look I keep thinking to upgrade my venerable Coda 7s but just never do. All I can really say is if you can, listen to the setup or buy used, don't overpay and be willing to sell it on if it is not to your liking.
Another great and interesting video, in the old days you bought best components for your system, nowadays manufacturers of systems are so good these days don’t have to buy individual components from different suppliers, so I gone through all the specs and reviews on systems to make sure they are good for the budget I have. Carry on with your good work and your expertise in audio hi fi . Regards mark
In terms of gear synergy, I've tended to see what's been together by audio stores whose systems I've particularly admired (e.g., Audio Connection in NJ, in my region), and also following brands often well-paired together at audio shows, etc.; which allows me to expect with more confidence that the purchase of components heard/reviewed elsewhere will fit well into my pre-existing system- and I haven't been let down yet by this approach! To be clear, I've never purchased major gear without hearing it, or at least another example of it by that manufacturer, first in some system somewhere.
Thanks Paul. It’s one more honest and good explanation.
What a well considered and honest answer!
Linn Room Optimization
Some manufactures if you get the right person will tell you what speakers they use to voice there amplifiers and visa-versa. But it's knowing what type on sonics you prefer. if the Linn is warm do you also want warm speakers? probably not.
My take is if you want to it to look good and tidy, stay with same brand for the looks and hopefully, the performance is acceptable to you..... Else, I would go for best of breed for each component ensuring that synergies are right, that it works well together and sounds great for your ears.
For years I believed the argument for synergy in components and had a full Linn system for 20 years. I recently spent several months researching and upgrading components, with no thought for synergy only thought for the look and sound of individual components. I have what can only be described as a Frankenstein system, retaining only the linn karik cd, though now only as a transport, with a separate DAC. The system to my ears is perfection. I know this because I'm no longer drawn to what is wrong or missing in the presentation, I forget about the system and just hear the music. So I've changed my opinion completely and think synergy is just a word for hifi salesmen to sell more of their own brand of equipment.
As a devote Linn owner with 3 different electronics systems, I never buy their speakers, although the Majik 140’s supposedly sound good. I’d recommend the KEF R Meta series. Linn offen demo’s with KEF in recent years….for what its worth.
I have been a Linn devotee for 20+ years, but when I started moving from CD to server based music storage, and now streaming, PS Audio has crept into my system more and more. Now all that is left of Linn in my room is a pair of Magik 140 speakers which sound better with my BHK 250 than they ever did with Linn amps. Linn does have a synergy, but the price of admission for new gear these days is far beyond most budgets and their upgrade path locks you into their ecosystem in a way that I don't agree with.
Here's an idea for you Paul what could sort out the problem of different rooms with different systems.
If you make a programmable dsp active crossover that still can be used with passive speakers of course that's not an issue, you would have programmables set from different environments you'd set up in the chip a calibrated mic that comes with the system what you could get for less than $10 in bulk, a two band subsonic graphic equals three band mid-range graphic equaliser, and a two band high frequency graphic equaliser, all controlled from an app with your phone, That's important.
This being operated in the digital domain active gain no sound degregation.
The presets can be just be used with people who just want to set it up quickly knowing the size of their room and the material is made from, or the calibrated mic for more accurate setup. With a graph on your phone with r e w say!
Having four different crossover topologys and slopes roll off.
This could be done fairly easily it's not complicated and shouldn't be an expensive to put together, selling the unit for no more than $1,200
I hope this one gets consideration; we customers need the ability to individualize settings on the crossover to adjust the sound to our taste, without fearing of phase shifts like equalizers later in the chain, would add.
@@goodsound4756
That is done with car audio systems for many different car interior environments with cars.
It’s all done with adjustable individual external crossover’s points along with advanced software you use on a laptop for fine tuning in real time on the system. All done through a DSP processor.
If you want to change something later on in the system, plug in the laptop.
@@davidfromamerica1871 that‘s why it should made available for home systems use.
@@goodsound4756
The only reason the home audio sector’s don’t do that I can only assume is related to profit margins on sales.
The main issue is the home audio speaker crossovers are installed inside the cabinets.
They are not adjustable for fine tuning.
Focal made an external crossover that has a 3-way external "parametric" crossover with 4480 combinations of settings.
@@goodsound4756 but anytime you change your frequency even in a standard crossover of course the greater the role off say 52db the less phase shift will occur, You're always going to get phase shift on the edge the driver's roll off point it is more apparent on lower frequency tho.
You can have off phase shift as well as on phase shift and boundary shift. The good thing about the thing I mentioned is with calibrated mic you are adjusting for the acoustics of the room boundary not just the speakers this could be made up to do both, to measure the boundary frequency and measuring listening point but this is not taking an average either and mixing them together like some systems do already.
Look at the second hand market for linn stuff, example I picked up passive linn klimax 350 speakers and then upgraded the modules to make them fully active, the sound is amazing. I also picked up a linn klimax ds1 renew. Stunning. Especially for 7000 pounds for the whole upgrade. All on e bay too. 😅
Thanks, Paul!
My suggestion would be to see if you can take those Linn speakers home for a listen and assess them. If you really like what you hear, go for it.
The worst audio purchase I have ever made was buying an integrated amplifier and speakers that specifically said they were designed to work together. Neither the speaker or the amplifier sound great alone, but they sound particularly bad together. I think Andrew Jones and I have different taste when it comes to sound quality. I think he likes rolled off highs, so when both the speakers and the amp were designed to his taste, it sounds to me like the speaker is wrapped in a quilt.
Are you not naming any Naims?😉
Always look around. Always do research and if you decide, after that, to stick with Linn products, then carry on doing so.
Paul seems like a decent sort!!
Hey Michael, I’ve been a Linn customer for many years. Love some products no so much others. I think Linn speakers worked better and had more of Linn sound (Tukan, Kaber, Keltik). Not sure what the Linn used market looks like your side of the pond but I would either audition a pair of Kaber or as Paul says, look around. New Linn speakers to me are overpriced and as much as you LK140 is great I am not sure it would have enough juice to run them. Maybe stick with other UK brands that have similar sound (if that’s what you like)
Agree. My all active Linn system is not a truly exciting sound with Rock. However, give it most other music and the detail is stunning. All depends on YOUR ears…..no one else’s. Enjoy the music once you find what your ears like.
Linn are a great company
Michael, if you end up seeing this video and read this comment. Im in the Seattle area, and have a set of Linn Vinkas that I’d like to get rid of. Post a reply if you’re interested in hearing them and I’ll find a way to connect.
I would say virtually no companies do EVERYTHING they make right, unless they only make a small selection of things (like, for instance, Ayre). There's a few brands that get most categories 'quite right'. Linn is one of them, as is Cambridge, as is Yamaha or even Rotel. But even then I would still prefer certain things from other brands. And some brands should just stick to making Playstations and Photocamera's, but I won't name any names :D.
you are one smart cookie, buddy.
Mcintosh?!? Speakers?!?
So your saying that, u won´t necessary benefit from putting together a whole system by one brand only? U should be able to point out specific items from your range of audio products, and exspect some synergy, right?
I known 4 sure that it can be a great advantage to stick with one or two brands only, in ones system. My amps and speakers, is from the same manufactory, and also the cables connecting those. Rest of my system is from another brand. The two brands are: lavardin and Rega. Never had a better system. Said that, i of course know what your mean Paul. Peace and love from Debmark.
McIntosh. There, I said it for you. Good electronics, bad speakers. Krell also did the same thing two decades or so ago, remember their metal speakers?
It's a bit of bad move to buy one make. No single manufacturer makes the best everything... Noone
sound advice listen to non linn alternatives it costs nothing.
1st 😊
ruclips.net/video/cH8iv4n2kco/видео.html
I have never liked Linn. Over priced and their products never performed that well. Their turntables, amplifiers have a magic word making them better even though the technical measurements of every kind is in the midrange to low end. I have never found Linn any better than a Rega which i
Linn 💩
You are 😂
@@Kalikrates_the_witch_1oh dear a Linn owner 😂
@@nasdkhan254 also arcam marantz and myryad
@nasdkhan254 and sony sacd cd player
@@Kalikrates_the_witch_1 enjoy yr system