Upgrade time - Linn Selekt Edition Hub with dual mono Organik or NS 333

Streaming Audio
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A couple of years ago I upgraded my 35yo Naim (NAC62/NAP140) system with KEF 104.2 speakers to Atom HE, NAP 250.
I subsequently added Kudos Titan 606 speakers - OTT for the Atom HE/Nap250, but I wanted speakers that would be somewhat future proof.

Now I want to get the front end upgraded to be more in line with the 606s.

My thoughts are -
A pair of 350 mono blocks
and either
NSS 333/ NAC 332
OR
Linn Selekt Edition Hub with dual mono Organik

I’ve not demoed either, but have heard the NSC 222/NAP 250 through 606s which sounded very impressive but I found the sound a bit tiring and maybe a bit ‘too in yr face’ after a while.
I’ve heard Linn, but not the Selekt/mono Organic.
I felt the Linn was an easier listen for classical music, and with great detail.

My listening aera is at one end of my lounge which has a vaulted ceiling.
The right speaker is adjacent to 25ft of patio doors and the left speaker has about 20ft of lounge to the left of it. So I find stereo imaging problematic and liked the idea of the Linn SQ that is built-in and may help with that.

I listen almost exclusively to classical music and as I live in a semi-detached house I can only crank the volume up for the 2 weeks each year when next door goes on holiday, so quality at low volume levels is vital.

I’d be looking to buy ex-demo and save a few £000, so home demo may not be viable, but I can live with that and use the saved dosh for a Fraim or similar.

Your thoughts would be much appreciated.

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NSS333 + NAC332 gets my vote. I had a long wait for ex-demo models to become available, so the acquisition took a lot of patience. This was a major improvement on the NAC272 + XPS(DR) that I had before. It was worth it for me. Selling the outgoing gear on eBay is harder than I had hoped for and the kit is not netting as much return.

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I heard the Selekt dual organik for the first time last week thru a pair of active speakers. It blew away all my perceptions about the “Linn” sound. I listened to a wide variety of music across many genres and found it easily surpassed my passive Olive system by some degree. It was a complete surprise and I will revisit it next year when I am looking to change.

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Hi Pete
I have just come to the end (I hope🤞🏽) of my journey.
My most recent upgrades brought me to Linn Selekt DSM Classic, with Stereo Line Out with Stereo Organik into a pair of Naim 350’s, driving Linn 150’s.
I came to this from A full Naim system of 282/300/2 x HC DR/NDX2/XPS DR.
The Linn DSM with Organik DAC was clearly superior to the NDX2 (IMHO) and the eventual changes in amplification have brought a greater cohesion to all the music I listen too.
Definitely worth a try and my 350’s came to me from my dealer as exdemo. Quite a few dealers rotating their 350 demo units at the moment, so worth checking with your “local” ones.
Good luck…:+1:t3:

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Yep, perception can be a funny thing. I’d have missed out on some really good kit if I’d gone by my perception of how something should sound, rather than just listening and making up my own mind.

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That’s exactly my front end. I run it directly into active ATC SCM40 speakers. More than half my listening is to classical and nearly all the rest is to acoustic stuff: simply recorded folk, jazz etc. But when choosing a system, it’s how it handles classical that is the main criterion, especially piano, orchestral and choral music, a particular favourite.

About a year ago I went to a dealer event which had a large demo room with huge active ATC speakers (SCM 100 towers) and a multi box Auralic front end and persuaded them to play the final movement of Dvorak’s New World. When I got home, I played the same recording on my system and whilst the big setup had a weight and force, mine could not achieve, mine did open up instrumental timbres in the orchestra, revealed the acoustic space it was recorded in etc and was just as if not more enjoyable. I put that down to the Linn. With choral music, in some systems the choir comes across as a massed sound, whereas with others, it’s simply a collection of voices. The Selekt manages to combine these aspects, just as I hear it in concert.

I realise you asked for a comparison with a 300 series front end and although I’ve heard a full 300 setup, I’ve not directly compared with the Linn in my system … apologies. But my current setup is by far the most musically satisfying I’ve had … upgraditis is finally cured.

Roger

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Lengthy auditions of both options, preferably at home with your own 606’s, then choose whichever one you prefer,

Simples :smiley:.

ATB, J

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…or you may find that this approach ends up not saving you money if you make the wrong choice and find yourself swapping and upgrading later. False economy in my view; for the amount you are spending home demo essential. No reason why a dealer selling ex-demo won’t give you that option either, or at the very least a trial period. Even an A:B at the dealer better than nothing.

Bruce

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What @BruceW said.

Additionally, don’t expect objective answers when asking about comparisons between Naim and Linn gear from a Naim forum.

You simply have to put in the leg work and listen for yourself.

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I wanted to get on with Linn. I like the simplicity of their model and the sound was pretty good. My initial impressions of the Organik at the dealer was good. Especially with Wilson Sabrinas. Though I do think there’s some of that prat/boogie factor that is lost with their sound. I didn’t want to make any snap judgements so asked for a home demo. My dealer said he sells enough of Linn he doesn’t need to do demos. And I said if I’m spending $20K-$30K usd on some audio kit I’ll be doing a home demo beforehand. So I passed and glad I did b/c Naim launched the NC shortly after.

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I did that, albeit in a lazy way as the Linn just happened to be what the dealer had set up for my speaker audition. I suspect that the Linn was flattered by the SCM20asl speakers as they are really fast. I listened to a fair range of genres from Clannad to Massive Attack and was convinced that this was a pairing that really worked. It is often repeated here that the Linn is better for classical music and the Naim for rock. In fact it is repeated so often that it is easy to dismiss the Linn if you like rock. When my Olive gear goes next year I’ll definitely have a DSM/300 series shootout but I’ll admit now that my preference will be for a smaller footprint system unless it’s blown out of the water.

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Time to update the profile info perhaps, Simon? What about a new system pic?

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I believe he is waiting for his Fraim to be picked up!

I look forward to seeing his streamlined system also. And wonder whether the Urika is going in as well to reduce box count further!

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Many thanks for all your replies.
Much appreciated.

Of course I agree that by far the best option is to visit my dealer and ask that they demo some of the kit I’d like to hear and some of their suggestions. Followed by a good home demo or two.
That’s the way I’ve done it previously.

Unfortunately my health has taken quite a dive over the last couple of years.
Travel is now usually limited to frequent visits to GP or hospital for tests and procedures.
My mobility is poor. I also have other health issues that regularly flare-up making life pretty miserable most of the time, so my music is even more important to me now.
I live in hope that the NHS will come up with something to help, but no luck so far and it has been mentioned that it may be something I just have to put up with and it will have a negative impact on my longevity.
I’m knocking 70 so my hearing isn’t what it was and I do have tinnitus and chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction, so my hearing can become muffled in moments and remain so for an hour or a few days.

So the simple task of popping down to my dealer for a demo is not an option atm and it may become even less of an option in the future.
Maybe the NHS will come with something, maybe they won’t.

So while I still can, I’d like to improve the front end of my audio to bring it in line with my Titan 606s.

I’ve loved Naim kit since the 1990’s.
My first love is classical music, but I do still enjoy Pink Floyd, early Genesis, Supertramp etc etc
Naim kit really rocks with this music!

But I don’t get the same feel with Naim and classical music, something is missing or not quite right.
Over the years I’ve heard many hi-fi systems and Linn is one brand that I’ve always warmed to as well as Naim.

The comment that @paul52136 makes about Naim for rock and Linn for classical likely holds some truth and it’s a comment I have come across many times, hence my interest in Linn for the source.

I have no doubt that I’d be more than happy with either of the systems I referred to in my first post, and I’ll never be any the wiser as this upgrade will be the last.

I could stick with what I have and leave the money to the local cat sanctuary - but that’s not my plan.

If anyone has strong views about either of the systems I’m considering or other tweaks, I’ll be glad to hear them.

Apologies for the rather down-beat post..

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Soon Clive
It’s not quite all sorted yet. Waiting on my 150’s & Urika 2 from Linn. Once it’s all done there’ll be a new System Pic and an update of the Profile :wink:
Simon

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Urika 2 on order Dan :+1:t3:

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Very nice too! Thought you’d go in that direction.

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No need to apologise. Most of us are going through something that affects the choices we make. Just try to enjoy the hobby. This is a good thread. :+1:

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Sorry to hear about your health problems.

As for system you won’t go wrong with either. I would be tempted by the Linn DSM with 2 x 350s. Less boxes, less cables and less hassle.

Very popular set up on here.

Likewise a 332 333 set up sounds great also.

See what deals come up and get whatever you fancy!

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Nothing wrong with buying blind either. I have not had the opportunity to demo everything. My final 500DR system I had listened to several times before buying all units used.

Speakers bought after short demo for a steal. I am all about the deal. Overall I worked out I have paid around 38% list price for my Naim kit.

Can’t say the same for Linn LP12 Klimax, but alot of the bits are new tbf.

Buy whatever you want as life is too short. And enjoy your new system Pete!

BD

:muscle:

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