Linn Classik ? Sound good?

Demonjon-
Keep in mind that the Classik has Pre-Out. At any point you can bypass the Classik amp (while still using the preamp, remote, tuner & CD) by connecting an outboard amplifier for more "grunt"/cleaner power.

Planning ahead then, that outboard amplifier could always be the 'heartbeat' of a second separate system in the future. You also would have the Classik as a self-contained bedroom system. This seems like a fail-safe way to go, as long as you buy the Classik used.

Wow, thanks for the comments, very useful, thanks! I do want a bit of grunt in my set-up so maybe i should look at staying with the separates.. The creek a50i and musical fidelity x-80 both seem pretty sweet.. and both provide a high current i understand, even though rated at 50 and 40w respectively.

I've owned two Classiks with and without the tuner. I was happy with each. Speaker matching is more critical with these units than most other equipment. I found Silverline SR12's worked very well, while for my ears B&W DM302's or Sonus Faber Concerto's or Signums weren't such a good fit. This is far from a high-current amp. It's a complicated remote control, but high-function.

I used one as a bedroom system, and the other for a year's assignment away from home, both installations argued for the smallest footprint. As a main system, I agree with the other posters comments.

What will you do when the CD portion dies? Personally I would get a good integrated that would match your speakers and a seperate CDP.

I have heard the Classik often at my father's home. It's impossible to say across-the-board that it is better than a NAD system but in my view it is better than _some_ NAD systems, notably the all-in-one L40 which I owned for a while (and liked for the price). Of course the Classik costs a lot more than the L40 did.

As an all-in-one system the Classik is a winner: reliable, musical, compact. Great in a bedroom or an office. On the downside, the remote is far too busy and the CDP is not as good as Linn's standalone units.

I wouldn't mind having a Classik for a low-maintenance application like a cottage system, but for a main system I think I could get better sound for the same money. I'd start with a Music Hall CD-25 (or better, a Shanling CD-S100 Mk II) as a source and the best integrated amp and interconnect cable that I could find for the balance of my funds.

I have a Linn Classik. It is a great unit, equal to or better than mid priced seperates (Rotel, NAD, etc.). Looks are a bonus. It can be found here on Audiogon from time to time for around $900-1000. It is not however a cure for upgraditis, you will just find another room in which to use it. ;)

I had one a few years ago in a second system and the sound is VERY good. The compact footprint and no need to worry about anything cable related except for your speakers (have a Linn dealer terminate the special connectors with decent speaker cables). Use efficient speakers as the rating is at 4 ohms if I remeber correctly.

You will be hard pressed to do better than the Classik for the money especially if you shop the pre-owned market. Warmer than average sound, typical Linn.

You can however do ALOT better than the $2k for a new Classik if you work at it and don't care about the 1 box compactness. Used Cary CD player, used Sim I5.

Good luck.