LINN aktiv vs passive biamping

They were actually bought through a classified here. The amps are a couple of years old, and I assume the cards are too.

Perplexing. The benefits of aktiv are common knowledge- but so far my ears disagree. Perhaps Keilidh-specific cards in Ninkas are workable but not optimal?

After playing with the treble a bit, some of the image and forwardness improved. But there is no immediacy. Louis Prima sounds like someone gave him valium. Jimi Hendrix is just playing notes at a recital. One may hear every ridge of his fingerprints plucking the strings, and Tim Alexander's thrumming kickdrum on Tommy the Cat has intoxicating punch and leading attack.

Too bad the sum of the whole is less than the individual parts. Diana Krall has all the sultriness of a wet paper bag. There seems to have been robbing from Peter to feed Paul- the midrange is GONE, and the extremes are excellent; too bad the midrange is where we hominids live.

Time to call LINN and get the skinny on the serials.

LINN tell me that the cards should work fine with the Ninkas. I was able to talk to a dealer who suggested that the speaker placement was probably to blame. Apparently aktiv speakers can need to be further away from the wall to avoid the midrange issues I've heard. They may be able to be spaced further apart too; slight toe seems to continue to be recommended.

Guess it's time for me to tango with the towers- nothing like moving spikes around a hardwood floor; thought that was finished with already. I'm dubious, the sound difference and dissappointment are huge between passive and aktiv.

Then the biggest obstacle- spousal disdain for speakers in the living space.

Just talked to LINN directly-

The gentleman I spoke with said he had actually heard of my complaint from consumers and dealers alike. His strong recommendation was to ensure that the post-nuts on the Ninkas' terminals are VERY tightly fastened.

Apparently the crossover cards can have insufficient contact if not well clamped together. I've never tightened them to the level as when they were shipped, thinking the torque applied must have been a slightly zealous fastening.

Another evening of experimentation and incurring expletives from the neighboor should tell...