Mr Tiefenbrun has seen the light - again - apparently

[Filterlab]

...4) Kan (any vintage), Index, Isobarik, Keilidh, Kaber, and Keltik loudspeakers....

I remember the Keltik's being exceptional, however recalling the '95 Sound & Vision show in Earl's Court there were two Linn listening rooms; one with a £2,000 set-up and the other with a £20,000 set-up. The £2,000 set-up was the superior one to my ears, and my friend's ears too. That showed either a massive mismatch on the top-end system or a startling combination at the lower end. Either way, in isolation both systems sounded very good, and Linn have a reputation for quality engineering and quality products that are still 'single stage' built on home turf - not many manufacturers can claim that these days. Their products are still competitive and they've a huge following too.

I've not experienced many Linn products, but I've never heard a bad one. Most manufacturing companies in the electronics industry make errors at some point, even the huge and successful ones (Sony - Betamax, Apple - Newton, Microsoft - Vista, Panasonic - 3DO etc etc), but that doesn't negate their success overall.

[Mike]

products that are still 'single stage' built on home turf

What about their arms & cartridges?

[Filterlab]

I've no idea, just what I read.

[Marco]

I remember the Keltik's being exceptional, however recalling the '95 Sound & Vision show in Earl's Court there were two Linn listening rooms; one with a £2,000 set-up and the other with a £20,000 set-up. The £2,000 set-up was the superior one to my ears, and my friend's ears too. That showed either a massive mismatch on the top-end system or a startling combination at the lower end.

Linn (like Naim) for some reason rarely make a good sound at shows. I had a similar experience with one of their demos at a show a few years later where they were demonstrating the CD12 and their (then) top amps with a pair of £15k (I think) Komri loudspeakers at the end - it sounded dreadful. It was all boom 'n' tizz with little if any finesse, and yet I know how fantastic the CD12 could sound in a different system.

It turned out it was largely the speakers at fault - Linn really lost the plot with that particular design. The Keltiks would have murdered them! I think that with some of their current speakers they've got back on track but consistency of quality with Linn these days isn't the same as it was for example in the early 90s, when they hit a bit of a purple patch.

Marco.

[Neil McCauley]

It turned out it was largely the speakers at fault - Linn really lost the plot with that particular design.
Marco.

As I said in a previous thread, curious isn't it that none of the UK audio magazines reported this. None of them!

Once again, the reviewing principles that are applied to the fresh industry entrants by UK audio magazines are not applied to the big hitters.

If on the other hand the magazines didn't spot this, then what does that say about the efficacy?

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[griffo104]

Linn (like Naim) for some reason rarely make a good sound at shows. I had a similar experience with one of their demos at a show a few years later where they were demonstrating the CD12 and their (then) top amps with a pair of £15k (I think) Komri loudspeakers at the end - it sounded dreadful. It was all boom 'n' tizz with little if any finesse, and yet I know how fantastic the CD12 could sound in a different system.

It turned out it was largely the speakers at fault - Linn really lost the plot with that particular design. The Keltiks would have murdered them! I think that with some of their current speakers they've got back on track but consistency of quality with Linn these days isn't the same as it was for example in the early 90s, when they hit a bit of a purple patch.

Marco.

Marco, as a Linnie I agree with you. But without the technology and new driver array they came up with in the Komri then hte newer, and far better speakers imo, such as the Artikulate and Akurates wouldn't have been possible.

The Komris weren't perfect but they helped design a cheaper and better speaker in the long run.

I still enjoy my Active Linn setup and still haven't heard much at the price I paid that would make me want to swap it. I thinik they did make a mistake in removing the LK series but the Magik replacement is a very good musical system.

As for the products you mentioned, I think one of the very best Linn made was the Classik. They were slagged off for going all midi and Currys with this this and yet it brought a lot of people to 'proper' hifi and makes and excellent 2nd system for the bedroom. It's well made and sounds very good.

I agree the with you about the best LP12 - the Valhalla ones pre Cirkus were just SO much fun to listen to. I still kick myself for being pulled in to that upgrade path.

Having recently got to listen to the Magik DS, I think Linn have made a good business decision here instead of going to HDD based devices such as the HDX. Linn learnt from the Kivor that they can't do what a computer manufacturer can do, and at a much lower cost, so have concentrated on what they do know - dacs and music playback. The Magik DS is a good view on how digital music WILL be played in the not too distant future.

Of course the Orbe will still be the first choice for really enjoying music

[Cotlake]

What about their arms & cartridges?

Japanese I believe.

[shane]

Japanese I believe.

It's all in the names. The Ittok was designed by a Japanese gentleman named Mr Itto.

[Mike]

Yep!... Not really 'home turf'.

[Neil McCauley]

It's all in the names. The Ittok was designed by a Japanese gentleman named Mr Itto.

Ivor T told me when me met in the 1980s that the Ittock was built by Mamiya, the Japanese camera maker. Certainly the standard of finish was in that class.

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