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Are Linn Tukans a bit on the bright side?

I have a new used all-Linn system with Tukans biamped with a Majik (bass) and an LK85 (tweeter), and noticed that, particularly after biamping, the Tukans sound ever so slightly bright/unforgiving/harsh at the top end (e.g. soprano voices). This made me wonder the following:

1. Are Tukans known to have a bright sound, or is it perhaps the components I'm using?

2. Is the brightness a result of biamping?

3. Is there a tweeter adjustment that can be made to mitigate top-end harshness?

4. Are there interconnects that could help (I'm using Linn's standard analogue interconnects but thinking about picking up some Linn silvers)? Any recommendations within reason?

5. Would a sub help?

Thanks.
kdl6769
k_peterso
32 posts
 
LINN can definitely sound a little live on the top. I just went active with my Ninkas, Genki source too, Majik as pre. Auditioned the latest Tukans with my Majik and thought they were a bit scratchy [AMC CD6 front at the time].

If you are using the LK as treble, there is a tweeter adjustment from the card that is accessible from the back panel of the amp. It is a little white dial. If you are adventurous, you can play with it.

I had Tara jumpers on my Majik when using it as an integrated. I replaced the Tara with LINN standard interconnects for a little while before adding the LK85s I aquired, and was blown away by the difference. The highs softened a little too.
couldbe
30 posts
 
Hello,
I have had a pair of Tukans and it must be the cabling that affects them because I had the opposite problem, not enough!
jarecneps
4 posts
 
You will find that the amp in the Majik doesn't go very low in the base. Although biamping gives more punch, the overall frequency response suffers. In my opinion the sound is much better when using the Lk series amps by themselves. They are way better than the amp in the Majik.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
IMHO, all the Linn speakers I've heard demonstrate this trait. Interestingly, I've found that bi and tri amping seemed to help with this issue. Are you using an active cross-over? I have a friend who uses Tara cables to good effect with Linn speakers. In as much as the Tara's helped he still resorts to using a thin sheet of tissue over the tweeters to make them less hot. Crude but effective. What ever negatives this approach has, seems to be worth the trade off to him.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
That is the double-edged sword when gaining detail and resolution...recordings,equipment, and cables are very important in "revealing" speakers such as the Linns...I am in the same boat...and probably will go tube power to "smooth" out the top end of my new Quads...however...it is much easier to make a unforgiving speaker a more forgiving one...instead of the other way around...good luck
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