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Active Linn Katans

I wonder if anybody has any experience with Katans active using a LK-85 for treble and a Majik for bass? I found the system to be bass heavy and when compared with an active setup using two LK-85:s there is a huge tone difference. My problem is that tunewise the systems don't differ much... the two LK-85 being just a notch ahead of the Majik/LK-85 combo. At low to average volume levels the extra bass feels nice (but is it supposed to be there?????).

Is there a gain incompability between the stereo cards and the mono cards? (I have the new mono cards). Or is there a problem using the Majik (which is a different kind of poweramp compared to the LK-85) together with other Linn amplifiers? Or am I just going nuts and should go home, buy a $200 amplifier, turn the bass control to max, press the loudness button and enjoy all the bass??

The tunedem method is great, but what do you do when you have too systems that compare well to each other, but have a completely different tone balance? Which is correctly reproducing what's _on_ the record???

/Christian
chk

Showing 4 responses by gavin_g

gavin_g
7 posts
 
Christian,

Please report back when you have the Kolektor installed. Although I am far behind your current setup, it has been my intention of following a Linn upgrade path that includes similar equipment, but possibly more importantly restrictive speaker placement like yourself.

I think that many people must have funny stories about friends' less than thoughtful, but half-expensive systems. I was at a friends place listening to his home theater setup, and he just had a huge rack of equipment, 5.1 speaker setup, etc., and we were watching a new James Bond DVD...the whole house was shaking with the intro: explosions, rockets, etc., then he managed to scream over all the noise, saying "just wait till the music starts, you won't believe it". I couldn't believe it, it was horrible.

He had spent twice what I had spent, albeit on a different type of system. It really made me feel good about my choices, especially what my actual goal was.

Gavin.
gavin_g
7 posts
 
Hi Christian,

I too have Linn Katans, although at this point just a Classik. My future plans are to upgrade via LK-85s, and then go active, and then look at the source. That may be a little bit backwards, I'm not sure.

Some Qs: how far out into the room are the Katans? Did you ever experiment with the tone controls (I know that might get me some flack on that one...).

My Katans are wall mounted, which was a practicle solution due to a small apartment + baby. The bass was immediatly 'muddy', generally horrible. Experimenting with the bass tone control made the difference.

I think about the Sizmik...possibly even the custom one, installed into the wall.

Gavin.
gavin_g
7 posts
 
Hi,

Christian: Don't the Aktiv treble cards have an adjustment dail? I have read that it is accessible through the back of the amp. Maybe that would help the brightness?

Partrick: Yes, about positioning...not only the bass response, but also the soundstage. It really seems to take some depth away. I can't tell you how much this bothered me (I had the speakers on makeshift stands when I first got them, and things got smaller when they were wall mounted, as far as depth). It still does bother me...but it is a real battle between reality and ultimate performance.

I am going to investigate absorption panels, thanks for the idea. Anything that would help, while within my constraints, would be nice!

Gavin.
gavin_g
7 posts
 
Christian,

That is nice to hear that the Kolektor is such a big improvement on the Majik. Did you end up using the tone controls on the Kolektor at all? It sounds like you are happy with your Genki now as well, or is an Ikemi soon in your plans as well?

My first upgrade, I think, will either be to add a LK85/140 and biamp with my Classik, OR, possibly go with a sub. I plan to demo both when I get a chance to go to my nearest Linn dealer, which is unfortunatly 400km away. I will be interested to hear with my own ears the 85 vs. the 140.

From there, either a second LK85/140, or two if I have a sub, in order to go active. After going active, I would start looking at the source and pre. This is a bit away for me however, but it is nice to think about!

Gavin.
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