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Linn CD12 MK3

A friend of mine who is a long time Linn's user told me about Linn CD12 mkIII. He previously used Linn CD12 mk1, mk2. Also,he has Linn LP12SE full stack and Klimax DSM in his system. He had purchased this USED Linn CD12 MK3 for $18000. To my knowledge, Linn CD12 CDP mk1(20bit) and mk2(24bit) serial number are of 3digits. But this so called Linn CD12 MK3 had 6 digits serial number. He said this CD12 MK3 is very rare and Limited. My friend has A/B comparison many Linn sources in his own system. And what he said is CD12 mk2 better than mk1. But the 6digits serial number CD12 MK3 is a true Linn masterpiece. It easily beat mk2 in every aspect. He had compared to Linn LP12SE full stack, and the new Klimax DSM and he even prefered Linn CD12 MK3. He told it preserved the Linn's maximum musical magic of LP12SE full stack plus more dynamic extreme, more details yet very musical.
My question is who ever had experience in Linn CD12 6digits serial number MK3? I have never seen this version before. Where can I get one?
samie

Showing 2 responses by larryi

larryi
4,188 posts
 
I did not even know that a Mk3 exists. I do like the CD12 and I expect that Linn will be able to support it even if they no longer make a cd player.

I happen to like the convenience of a music server myself, even though it was a big deal of work ripping my 3700 cds to the server and correcting the metadata (particularly difficult with classical cds). My collection is so much more accessible and I like browsing on an ipad and putting together an evening's worth of music on a play list.

I use the server even though I think it really does not sound quite as good as my CD player. I happen to like the sound of the particular player I have and it better matches my LP source so that the system sounds similar playing both. I make no generalizations as to which is inherently better--I am merely pointing out that a good CD player can be very good in absolute terms and a computer or dedicated server is not necessarily better.
larryi
4,188 posts
 
I don't know if it has to do with the choice of chip, or something else, but, I like the sound of the CD12 and also the sound of the Naim 555 cd player that I own.  This too uses the 1704 chipset.   There are a number of high-end DAC makers that horde really old chips because they deliver great sound.  Most of the "improvements" to more modern chips have to do with making them more suitable for other applications--making them smaller, making them use less power, making them provide other functions.
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