Here are my thoughts about the latest Linn Klimax DSM (Utopik power supply) steaming preamp in my formerly all naim system. It replaced the 272/552dr/ SL DIN to XLR CABLE six months ago. The amplifier is the naim 250dr and speakers the Ovator 400s with A5 speaker cable. The Klimax has an optical Ethernet connection via a Chord Super Array Ethernet cable. A Chord Tuned Array cable connects the Klimax with the 250 dr.
The reason for the change was I wanted a better operating system via the app. The 272 1st generation steaming innards keep malfunctioning despite an excellent internet connection. Also the local excellent naim dealers in Wellington lost the franchise and it would be increasingly difficult to get servicing done. Normally I would have bought the naim 222, which I am sure would have been excellent with adaptor cables, but I was not confident in the new Auckland based dealership being able to service it.
My old naim dealer was now the Linn dealer in my neck of the woods and I had a great rapport with them. I initially tried the Linn Selekt DSM with Katalyst DAC which was as good as the 272. The Edition Hub with dual mono Organik DACs which was astoundingly good as well as being a very versatile product. It was better than the 272/555dr. I got a good deal with the Klimax with 272 trade in and sold the 555dr for about ÂŁ3500 , a great deal for the buyer.
I admit to being somewhat underwhelmed by the Klimax heard factory fresh, cold from the box. A detailed presentation but lacking body. The was especially noticeable with the CSNY album “ Deja Vu”. The title track blooms into an ecstatic chant mid song, but it lacked the gusto and ecstatic punch via the 272 combination. The details were there in spades but there was a lack of “oomph”!
As time has gone on it has warmed up. I listen to it about 20 hours a week now that I am working part time. It really is excellent with a full bodied sound now, more “ meaty” that before. The main difference in the sound is that it is far more detailed and three dimensional. The various instruments and voices in excellent recordings such as Sinatra’s “ Fly me to the moon” or Ray Charles’s “Hit the road, Jack” are all clearly defined and separate as well as really swinging. No issues here with PRAT at all. Also the music is conveyed effortlessly without fatigue, as it is so pure.
I overwhelmingly listen to Qobuz and Radio Paradise. Both sound so good I only infrequently use my Uniticore NAS, with its 600 ripped albums. The latter still sounds great.
I feel like a kid in a candy store as my supply of impeccable music via Qobuz is limitless. It is great fun discovering new music.
It works very well with my naim amp and speakers. The source is so good it disappears the speakers and makes the 250 dr sound more like a 300 dr. There is no lack of “ welly”.
So that’s my thoughts. And please Linn, don’t change the firmware🤣
I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying the NGKDSM with Organik and Utopik.
I concur with the Linn sound on my Linn Selekt DSM: Edition Hub (Utopik) with Stereo Out Power Amp Cartridge x2 and Organik DAC x2.
There is plenty of oomph going into my Kudos Titan 606 Loudspeakers with PRaT very much in evidence. We listen to Jazz, either streamed radio from Jazz24 or Qobuz and the soundstage is big with excellent separation of the instruments. The detail is amazing and overall the sound quality is much better than the previous Linn DS/3 Katalyst (Dynamik) that I had into my Naim active system. We never have the volume louder than 60/100 and that gives very good detail with plenty of grunt
I looked at the ADOT system as the Selekt does not have a SFP port, but ended getting a TP-Link CM100CM system for a very cheap price on eBay, so using that.
Cable wise: it’s Kudos KS-1 to the loudspeakers, CatSnake 6a Floating Ethernet cables and HS HD / Supra LoRad mains cable.
There have been upgrades to the firmware which were seamlessly added with no issues or changes to the sound thereafter. The Linn app works well and the integration with Qobuz is smooth.
Very happy and pleased that we made the change to a one box system and Linn certainly know how to engineer and make a streamer.
@DiggyGun yes, the Hub with dual Organik DACs is a superb piece of kit . I was about to buy it but was made an “offer I could not refuse” on the Klimax. The Hub is so much more configurable, and as you have found out, sounds great in the active mode. I am kicking myself I did not listen to the active version of the Hub. It may have saved me a bit of $$$! In the passive mode I think the Hub offers about 96% of the Klimax and represents great relative value.
Which web site is that Pete? Real Music are still selling Linn gear from what I can see. Have been running discounts though, which is out of character for them……
@Pete_the_painter Hi Pete, happy new year and I am glad things are going well for you. Can’t wait to see the finished house! Yes, the Wellington dealer’, Real Music,was still up and running 2 weeks ago and I have not heard otherwise . They continue to provide an excellent service.
@Pete_the_painter@Mike_S it looks like N.A. Distributers have new owners. However they are still supplying the Real Music chain of hifi shops. Hopefully this will continue.
Linn use Airable (no vTuner or TuneIn here) for internet radio as do Lindemann. Never had a problem with it either when I had a Akurate DSM/3 or now with Limetree Bridge.
@Pete_the_painter I am not aware of that. I was at the same school as him. He was at least 6 years ahead of me and I’m 65. He certainly has very highly trained and competent staff so who knows?
