Linn Audio

I noticed that there aren’t that many Linn dealers here in North America (US & Canada), unlike in Europe especially in UK. One of my hifi dealer here in Seattle, WA happens to be an exclusive Linn dealer and is the one and only Linn dealer in the entire NW region. The next closest one will be in California (SF bay area).

No wonder Linnies have own discussion forum on Linn’s own website at Linn.co.uk.

Why? 
Linn has progressed since then, especially when it comes to digital front end components : Linn DS (digital streamer/DAC). 

Hahaha.....I never thought about Pearl Audio in Portland, OR but they don’t carry the whole line like Definitive Audio here in Seattle.
Definitive Audio in Seattle is the biggest Linn dealer in the NW.

Speaking of the latest Linn Urika phonostage that digitizes the signal, they had a demo here at this year Music Matters high end audio show event at Definitive Audio in Seattle comparing it to the previous model Urika phonostage in the same setup using exact same LP12 Klimax version turntable with Ekos SE titanium tonearm, Kandid mc cartridge, Klimax Radikal PSU, Keel machined sub-chassis and arm board, Trampolin aluminum baseboard.
The new latest Urika sounded better than the previous one.

Viridian, you will have to give a listen to the latest generation of Linn Klimax DS/DSM with Katalyst DAC architecture. I had a chance to have a listen to it and comparing it to the previous Klimax DS with non Katalyst DAC architecture at last year’s Music Matters event here. Again, the shootout between the two Klimax DSs were done in the same non Exakt setup and system using the Klimax Solo 500 monoblock amps driving a pair of Linn Klimax 350 passive floorstanders. It was pretty obvious the Klimax DS w/ Katalyst DAC architecture was better it was more expressive. There was more emotions involved with the latest gen the one w/ Katalyst DAC architecture. The presentation of the piano piece was lot more dramatic.

Linn LP12 imo is considered a high end turntable or at least a very good quality turntable. I was told the Linn LP12 was the first high end turntable when it was first introduced in 1973. I wouldn't know myself cause I was only 2 yrs old in 1973. 

IMO the source is the most important component in the chain. What's lost early in the signal chain cannot be recovered. Speakers are also important too. Everything else in between are also equally important imo. 

You should give a listen to the latest generation of the Linn Klimax DS/DSM with Katalyst DAC architecture. This new model just came out last year. Sounded quite a bit better than the previous generation of Klimax DS/DSM. It isn’t cheap I think it retails for $30k new.
But literally you will have to step up to something like the MSB Reference or Select ll DAC or something like the DCS Vivaldi full stacks or the Esoteric Grandioso stacks to better it.

I used to have the LP12 Klimax version turntable with Ekos SE titanium tonearm, Kandid mc cartridge, Trampolin baseboard, Keel sub chassis, Klimax Radikal PSU & Urika phonostage (previous model). IMO they sounded very good in my all Linn Klimax setup and system. Then when I upgraded to the Audio Research Ref 10 linestage preamp + D’Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps (2 pairs) + Wilson Audio Alexx speakers for a little while I was still using the Linn LP12 Klimax version turntable and they sounded great together until late last year when I upgraded to the Kronos Pro turntable with a 12" Black Beauty tonearm, PC-1 Air Tight Supreme mc cartridge, discrete class A linear PSU & Audio Research Ref 10 phonostage. These are indeed better than my previous Linn LP12 Klimax version turntable but are at completely different price points, thus not a fair comparison to begin with.

Recently my setup and system has changed and evolved again since then.
I got rid of the ARC Ref 10 linestage pre, D’Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps and the Wilson Audio Alexx about 4 months ago and decided to upgrade to something better and different.

I am also skeptical when it comes to digitizing our phonostage. I don't have any Linn gear anymore. I have moved on and decided to upgrade and got better gears but I still have appreciation for Linn products.