Linn AkurateDs or external Dac?


Hi,
my first post here, greetings to all of you!
I want to upgrade my source from Linn Majik DS.
Logical choice would be Akurate DS.
The rest of my system is PassXP10 and XA30.5. Speakers are Dynaudio Special 25.
Music is 70% Classical 30% Jazz.
I'm interested in people's opinion in keeping the Majik DS as a source and buying an external dac instead.
I'm thinking of an AMR DP777 or ARC Dac8.
Did anyone compare Akurate DS to the AMR or ARC?

Before the XP10 I had an Akurate Preamp. Since then I notice how "sterile" and "flat" the Majik DS is.
Resolution isn't everything.
I would like to add a little more "flesh" and "body".
Could the AMR do this?

Over here in Germany I could buy the AMR new for the same price as the Linn Akurate (or ARC) used!
There is no way I can compare these two units at the same time in my system.
The reviews of the AMR make me think that this is the way to go for me.

Asking this in the Linn forum is nonsense ;-)
"No dac beats AkurateDS besides Klimax DS!" Obviously.

Thank you.
phreak12

Showing 1 response by lloydelee21

Phreak12,

I have heard the Linn Klimax DS before in a system where i had some good idea of all the equipment. I have heard the DAC 8 and know the AMR only by reputation, review and comparison to shared technology in Zanden...same chip among other things...and i know Zanden.

Sounds like if you are looking for more flesh and body...and avoiding sterile, you might well find AMR and ARC to be to your liking...probably ARC being 'in the middle' relative to Linn and AMR.

Good luck...good choices! And pls post when you can with update!