Home Digital Drive

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

RE: Not surprised...

>>Bryston doesn't have a long history in making source components yet and from what I hear they are having some initial teething problems ( including their network products )<<

The Bryston was actually pretty good, it compared well with the rest of the pack.

>>I know newer isn't necessarily better as I prefer Linn's older digital products than current ones.<<

I can understand why some people may prefer the sound of the older Linn models. I do, but I like the new versions also ... in fact one of the most interesting comparisons I've ever made is between Linn & Linn, the Ikemi and it's replacement, the Majik.

The final versions of Linn players were in fact more transparent, not as dark, and even leaner (which is saying much since Linn digital has always been "lean"). However, some newer versions did not include the Linn proprietary transport, so they had the disadvantage of not having quite the same musical ooomph ... in other words ... they lacked instrumental impact in comparison to the Ikemi or Karik III (just like the Genki did).

>>The CD12 was one of the finest CD player I have ever heard and still holds up today.<<

Still better than the vast majority today. I've only heard a few digital products since that have impressed me nearly to that same degree.

The CD12 was in fact the first CDP which provided me the illusion that CD could be truly "musical". Prior to that, I was never really convinced that digital technology was ever going to reach "audiophile" quality.

The CD12 had advantages in area's that digital, including hi-rez, still struggle to achieve today.

1) superb overall transparency
2) best in class noise floor characteristics
3) outstanding dimensionality
4) total lack of digital hash or grain
5) amazing tonal quality & control during even the most complex passages
6) true instrumental impact @the freq. extremes
7) optional HDCD at it's best

The Ikemi was the CD12 little baby brother, although not as resolute or romantic (actually the CD12 romantic side was considered it's Achilles heal by some), the Ikemi does include much of the CD12 main advantages.

I consider it to be the best real-world Linn digital player ever built, and perhaps one of the best all-round players period. Certainly I was lucky, because I've heard the Ikemi struggle in other systems, even though it fits into my particular system like a silk glove.

tb1


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Parts Connexion  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
  • RE: Not surprised... - TBone 08:38:53 03/09/12 (0)

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.