Linn Kolector or Wokonda preamp?

I directly compared the Kolektor and Wakonda over 2 weeks a few years ago. The Wakonda is better balanced, the highs are less grainy and smoother sounding. The Kolektor is more forward sounding overall with a little more drive. Overall I would say the Wakonda is the much better preamp, even though the Kolektor is actually more flexible in its functions, inputs and outputs. I did keep the Wakonda around for about 8 months.

Why not try one of the Pass Preamps? From experience with Pass amplifiers (a Pass FirstWatt F1) I would say that they are quite a step up from the Linn.

Current would be better. However, if you're looking at discontinued models to save a few bucks while you rebuild, look for a Kairn. For not much more than a Kolector or Wakonda, you can get a used Kairn which is much, much better and relatively cheap now that it's discontinued .

I was in the market for a new Linn preamp and compared a Kolector to the Wokonda at my local Linn dealer. While my dealer and I both agreed the Wokonda did sound better, it was only marginal and not worth the extra cost (again, on the new market). The Wokonda does give you the ability to add a sneaky tuner or a line receiver, which the Kolector does not. I went with the Kolector only to replace it two years later with a 5103. I dont know the difference in price on the second hand market to make a recommendation, but am sure you'll be happy with either.

I have owned both and had them at the same time, I felt the Wakonda was better and noticeably so, sometimes a quick demo in the store doesn't show everything, I still have the Wakonda, use it with a Linnlk100, for the money a nice sounding duo.

Wakonda by a mile!