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Hi folks. I've been a lurker for some time; time to post.Upgradeitis has struck. My front end in an active Linn system is an ancient but bulletproof EAD T-1000 transport feeding a BelCanto Dac1.1. Always wanted to try a Linn Ikemi. When one came into my dealer, it followed me home for an evaluation.
And now I know what they mean my flat earth and round earth. The Ikemi does nothing badly; just makes music and does so well. However, I was very surprised to find that the soundstage out of the BelCanto was much more convincing, yet with all the musical qualities of the Ikemi. Whether the BelCanto is hooked up to the EAD or the Ikemi, it wins to my ears.
Despite the attraction of adding another little black box to the stack, I think we'll keep the status quo for now. Comments?
JazzPhül
Follow Ups:
You chose 'soundstage' over 'music'.While your position, and choice, is quite common. Does it really matter what throws the better soundstage? Shouldn't it be what draws you into the music better and provides more enjoyment? If that is your definition of enjoyment *shrug* I prefer to be so drawn into my music that the artifices so many audiophiles are drawn to are purely secondary to the music and being completely consumed by it when I listen to it on my stereo. Soundstage/Imaging/Detail be damned, although my system does all that to, if its not involving (musical) then who cares?
...after a lot more listening, I did go with the Ikemi.The BelCanto is involving, but in a different way. In the end, I find the Ikemi more satisfying in a way that's hard to describe but very tangible. Vocals made it for me, particularly on my favourite era - late 50s jazz. It just gets it right.
JazzPhül
Glad to hear it :) The reason us audiophiles argue so much is that it is very hard to describe what you hear... but when you hear it and feel it... that's all that matters.
It times better than your version.
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