Thanks much for reviewing this Linn dac upgrade or any Linn product for that matter. There's very few Linn reviews on RUclips, compared to other audio manufacturers. I've been a "Linn For Life" supporter since 1982 when I got my first LP12. I love my vintage LK140 / 85 / Kolektor electronics which I enjoy everyday. Unfortunately, the price of new Linn offerings, like so many competitive offerings, are well beyond my means. But no biggie, I remain a happy vintage Linnie in the US.
Thanks Michael and greetings from across the pond! I suggest you continue being happy with your system - it's a very decent one and if you like it then why not? Ignore all the haters on social media, and spend more time listening to the music. We'll be doing an LP12 special soon, which should see Mike and I having a bit of a ding-dong!
Hi David…Yes, great hearing from you across the mind!! I actually have 3 Linn LK electronics systems (new and pre-enjoyed in 2000….love the very small chassis, build quality and sound) around the house, paired with Thiel CS2 (new in 1988), Bang & Olufsen RL6000 (new in 1988) and KEF LS50 (new in 2019) speakers. I simply stream from docked iPhones & iPads in each system, using the paid RUclips Music streaming service, much to the dismay of my audiophile friends. Just different strokes. For me, its all about the music first and foremost and balance. We also love collecting artwork, pottery, having a custom chef’s kitchen, extensive gardens and saving money…..so there’s only so much money to go around. If not, I’d have a Linn Klimax / Wilson Audio system. 😀
Forgot to mention…I had 3 LP12 (one at a time) over the years until I went 100% digital since I prefer cherry picking my fav tracks on every album. Nonetheless, the LP12 will always be the summit of all turntables.
Had the dem between my Katalyst KDS and the What You See and Hear shop KDS that’d been updated to Organik the other day. Huge improvement. Deposit paid. Just six weeks to wait until the upgrade.
That’s great guys. A lot of enthusiasm for the old DS and DSM’s that can be upgraded. Having heard the new generation hub compared with the original Klimax hub (into Katalyst 350’s) I can appreciate that there is more to this than just a DAC upgrade. The NG hub sounds significantly better. It would be good to have a comparison between Organik versions of the two DSM’s. By doing this people will see that a £5k upgrade on an old KDSM won’t get them to the SQ level of the NGKDSM.
I'm generally a believer in a strategy of separation i.e. keeping streaming hardware, DACs and amplification as separate units. Not because I don't think that any/all of those things combined mean you can't get top notch performance (this Klimax DSM would be a shining example of that) but primarily because they're all at different stages of product maturity. A pre (or integrated) from decades past can still be perfectly current and top notch now, whereas DACs have come on a fair bit and streamers are practically still in short-trousers as product categories go! To that effect it's good that Linn is willing to do these kind of upgrades. I think it's a real shame (and possibly borderline unethical in today's world) to let perfectly good and well-made gear become obsolete when it can be improved/ kept current like this, so hats off to them.
Completely agree. Linn get a lot of stick from various malcontents but this is unalloyed good news. The old Klimax DSM is lovely, and available relatively affordably secondhand - and can now be revamped to top-tier status in sound quality terms. That's a good news story.
Have the newe organic hub and the upgrade to the 350a Klimax speakers. The sound is unbelievable,it’s like I have never heard music before .it’s like taking ear muffs of for the first time, the sound is mesmerising.you have to hear it to believe it
I have both Klimax DSM 3 and Klimax 2 Organik for different systems. The KDSM2 upgrade to Organik is terrific but it isn’t a Klimax DSM 3. Think Majik LP12 (Organik upgrade) vs Klimax LP12 (KDSM3) level of performance difference. The upgrade board is not the guts of a KDSM3 for £5k, only a part of it. The KDSM3 is very special, arguably Linn’s best product since the LP12. Would love to hear your review of a KDSM3!
As I have become accustomed to since subscribing, an excellent review. In your opinion, is the preamp performance of a DSM Klimax able to match a system with a fully up to date LP12 and and Audio Note Level 4 power amps and speakers. Great work. Thank you.
Thanks Brendan. Yes, the preamp section of the K DSM Organik is excellent. I'd say it's not quite up there with the Townshend Allegri Reference - my fave - but not so far off and of course it's a far more flexible thing. Your AudioNotes should suit it well, as its spry and crisp sound will be a good synergistic match. Certainly your AN speakers won't have the resolution of the Linn, and so would be my likely next upgrade after the Klimax.
Get a MacBook Air, put your digital music collection on an external drive, buy Audirvana and hook up an high-end DAC via USB connection - while would sound better, this or your Linn Klimax?
Depends on the 'high end DAC', of course. I did precisely this as part of my review for StereoNET, and my Chord Hugo TT2 was pretty close to the Klimax Organik, although slightly drier and more mechanical sounding. Still, a secondhand Klimax with Organik DAC is pretty close to the cost of the MacBook system. Horses for courses, I guess.
@@MrVinylista Interesting David but one needs to consider that you can do a lot more with a M1 MacBook Air so that option with, say, the Hugo TT2 makes it a much cheaper option in real terms. Also not everyone wants to stream their music collection over their ethernet network
perfect review...made me like ,save and subscribe... I have a Denon SX1 dcd limited...owned for 4 months...i think i will sell if anyone is itrested reach out...thinking this Klimax DSM 2 or 3 organik and add my favorite cd player...Do you guys know if this would sound better than my Denon SX1 dcd limited, only released in Japan?
I haven't heard the Denon personally I'm afraid, however David may have done @myvinylista . Thank you for the sub, as you probably noticed, we don't take things too seriously! Mike
Thanks much for reviewing this Linn dac upgrade or any Linn product for that matter. There's very few Linn reviews on RUclips, compared to other audio manufacturers.
I've been a "Linn For Life" supporter since 1982 when I got my first LP12. I love my vintage LK140 / 85 / Kolektor electronics which I enjoy everyday. Unfortunately, the price of new Linn offerings, like so many competitive offerings, are well beyond my means. But no biggie, I remain a happy vintage Linnie in the US.
Thanks Michael and greetings from across the pond! I suggest you continue being happy with your system - it's a very decent one and if you like it then why not? Ignore all the haters on social media, and spend more time listening to the music. We'll be doing an LP12 special soon, which should see Mike and I having a bit of a ding-dong!
Hi David…Yes, great hearing from you across the mind!! I actually have 3 Linn LK electronics systems (new and pre-enjoyed in 2000….love the very small chassis, build quality and sound) around the house, paired with Thiel CS2 (new in 1988), Bang & Olufsen RL6000 (new in 1988) and KEF LS50 (new in 2019) speakers. I simply stream from docked iPhones & iPads in each system, using the paid RUclips Music streaming service, much to the dismay of my audiophile friends. Just different strokes.
For me, its all about the music first and foremost and balance. We also love collecting artwork, pottery, having a custom chef’s kitchen, extensive gardens and saving money…..so there’s only so much money to go around. If not, I’d have a Linn Klimax / Wilson Audio system. 😀
Forgot to mention…I had 3 LP12 (one at a time) over the years until I went 100% digital since I prefer cherry picking my fav tracks on every album. Nonetheless, the LP12 will always be the summit of all turntables.
@@Michael-xz1nk Fantastic, sounds like you're living the life. In the words of Genesis, "I know what I like, and I like what I know!"
🙂 "Selling England By The Pound" is my fav Genesis album!
Had the dem between my Katalyst KDS and the What You See and Hear shop KDS that’d been updated to Organik the other day. Huge improvement. Deposit paid. Just six weeks to wait until the upgrade.
Great stuff, Michael! Delighted that it wasn't just me who heard such a big difference.
That’s great guys. A lot of enthusiasm for the old DS and DSM’s that can be upgraded.
Having heard the new generation hub compared with the original Klimax hub (into Katalyst 350’s) I can appreciate that there is more to this than just a DAC upgrade.
The NG hub sounds significantly better.
It would be good to have a comparison between Organik versions of the two DSM’s.
By doing this people will see that a £5k upgrade on an old KDSM won’t get them to the SQ level of the NGKDSM.
Thanks for the feedback. Looks like we've got to do a direct A-B with the Next Gen DSM sometime soon!
Wish I had the funds for a source like this! Lovely riff 👍
I'm generally a believer in a strategy of separation i.e. keeping streaming hardware, DACs and amplification as separate units. Not because I don't think that any/all of those things combined mean you can't get top notch performance (this Klimax DSM would be a shining example of that) but primarily because they're all at different stages of product maturity. A pre (or integrated) from decades past can still be perfectly current and top notch now, whereas DACs have come on a fair bit and streamers are practically still in short-trousers as product categories go!
To that effect it's good that Linn is willing to do these kind of upgrades. I think it's a real shame (and possibly borderline unethical in today's world) to let perfectly good and well-made gear become obsolete when it can be improved/ kept current like this, so hats off to them.
Completely agree. Linn get a lot of stick from various malcontents but this is unalloyed good news. The old Klimax DSM is lovely, and available relatively affordably secondhand - and can now be revamped to top-tier status in sound quality terms. That's a good news story.
Have the newe organic hub and the upgrade to the 350a Klimax speakers. The sound is unbelievable,it’s like I have never heard music before .it’s like taking ear muffs of for the first time, the sound is mesmerising.you have to hear it to believe it
wow😮
It will be interesting to learn more about scope of older kdsm ‘Origanik’ upgrade besides Dac like clock circuit, power supply……
Holy crap..... Five grand for a dac board. But not to worry.... You are saving 20 grand...... Give or take a grand or two!
Who was it who said, "a billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money"?
@@MrVinylista no one who watches this channel.
I have both Klimax DSM 3 and Klimax 2 Organik for different systems. The KDSM2 upgrade to Organik is terrific but it isn’t a Klimax DSM 3. Think Majik LP12 (Organik upgrade) vs Klimax LP12 (KDSM3) level of performance difference. The upgrade board is not the guts of a KDSM3 for £5k, only a part of it. The KDSM3 is very special, arguably Linn’s best product since the LP12. Would love to hear your review of a KDSM3!
When you mention dsm3, is that the New Klimax DSM (taller form factor with mirrored front?)
Thanks for the feedback Neil! I'm sure we'll get round to trying the KDSM3 soon. Will be an interesting dem.
As I have become accustomed to since subscribing, an excellent review.
In your opinion, is the preamp performance of a DSM Klimax able to match a system with a fully up to date LP12 and and Audio Note Level 4 power amps and speakers.
Great work. Thank you.
Thanks Brendan. Yes, the preamp section of the K DSM Organik is excellent. I'd say it's not quite up there with the Townshend Allegri Reference - my fave - but not so far off and of course it's a far more flexible thing. Your AudioNotes should suit it well, as its spry and crisp sound will be a good synergistic match. Certainly your AN speakers won't have the resolution of the Linn, and so would be my likely next upgrade after the Klimax.
Someone at Linn told me they had to stop CD12 production as Phillips stopped production of the laser that the CD12 was designed around.
Perhaps I missed it but what amplifier and speakers were you using?
The Linn Klimax DSM is a fantastic sounding streamer but how about the Naim NDS555 + Naim 555 DR PS £21,000?
That's one for the 'to do' list. I reviewed those Naims but wasn't able to do a direct comparison with the Linns.
Get a MacBook Air, put your digital music collection on an external drive, buy Audirvana and hook up an high-end DAC via USB connection - while would sound better, this or your Linn Klimax?
Depends on the 'high end DAC', of course. I did precisely this as part of my review for StereoNET, and my Chord Hugo TT2 was pretty close to the Klimax Organik, although slightly drier and more mechanical sounding. Still, a secondhand Klimax with Organik DAC is pretty close to the cost of the MacBook system. Horses for courses, I guess.
Did that with second gen klimax DS. Linn for sure. not even close…
@@MrVinylista Interesting David but one needs to consider that you can do a lot more with a M1 MacBook Air so that option with, say, the Hugo TT2 makes it a much cheaper option in real terms. Also not everyone wants to stream their music collection over their ethernet network
perfect review...made me like ,save and subscribe...
I have a Denon SX1 dcd limited...owned for 4 months...i think i will sell if anyone is itrested reach out...thinking this Klimax DSM 2 or 3 organik and add my favorite cd player...Do you guys know if this would sound better than my Denon SX1 dcd limited, only released in Japan?
I haven't heard the Denon personally I'm afraid, however David may have done @myvinylista . Thank you for the sub, as you probably noticed, we don't take things too seriously! Mike
Very much a no thanks to any linn products
Why?