all linn, or mix & match??

I owned a Classik w/ tuner for about three months bfore upgrading(?) to linn separates. The sound of the Classik is very close - it is an excellent piece that holds its own amongst high end separates. It has enough power to satisfy most requirements - even moderate-volume intense listening. The great thing about the Classik is living with it. It is a pleasure to use and it exudes a sense of quality and sophistication. Setting the timer/alarm to wake up or fall asleep to a particular track on a CD - what a pleasure! The tuner is also excellent - with a decent signal it sounds as good as CD. As you noted if you crave more power you can add a second amp to bi-amp, or to use it as a source/pre with outboard amp. I also own Keilidh's and contrary to much of the bad press out there they sound great with electronic music and stuff like Radiohead and Pulp. Poorly recored rock sounds, well, poorly recorded. Jazz, Classical, and other acoustic sounds superb - but not in your face. To answer your innitial question, I wouldn't mix and match Linn components because they work so well and look so good together, why mess that up. (if LINN appeals to you, you must agree that aesthetics count!) As far as mixing LINN speakers with other electronics or vice-versa? Why not. I used a Majik with Castle Durham 900 speakers and it was a superb combination. If I were to go with any other brand it would be, without a doubt, - REGA. In mny opinion REGA is similar in quality to Linn, but at 60% of the price actually represents much better value.

right... - Rega has recently come out with a new chassis for its products that is very, very nice looking - and solid, but you should also be able to pick up a used REGA Mira Integrated for around $500 and a used planet also for around 500. The REGA RADIO can also be found for around 400.(I really like the look of the old version as well - solid all aluminum case) The Mira is +/- 60 or 70 Watts into 8 ohms and 95 into 4 ohms. Compared to 75 into 4 Ohms for the Classik. It also has full remote - motorized volume ctrl. I agree with Joolz about the pretek/powertek thing but (and someones gonna have my head for this) I personnally NEED a remote. Not because I'm lazy, but because I think being able to make subtle adjustments from the listening position - whether it be from a chair or bed on Sunday morning - is necessary. Th Rega is very sweet and refined sounding but not as laid-back as the Linn.

If you would rather listen than obsess over your hi-fi - to what will continue to be a very high standard for at least the next five years (IMO), the Classik is perfect. I am a bit obsessed so I sold the Classik and went to separates. I don't buy into the linn Philosophy of source first - mostly because sources seem to come and go - why spend 2 grand on a source that will be obsolete in a couple of years? Get a rock solid amp/pre and speakers and have fun plugging different stuff into it. If it happens to be a 2K Genki all the better - but I do think manufacureres are milking us for what the formats are worth.

Hey Ehm3, looks like your ship has come in... Have you seen the Linn LK1/LK280, and the LK1/Lk2 setups that just got listed?