Linn Kolector or Wokonda preamp?

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!

Thanks everyone!

I suspected that. I think I would like the Wokanda with the tuner. But I will keep my eye out for a Karin if one shows up at a reasonable price.

I'm anxious to here how it sounds with my Pass Labs Aleph 30 (class A, 30w/ch) until I get another Klout. The Klout is my favorite power amp to date, but I hear the new amps are better.

I used the Klout with the preamp section of my Majik int. amp for a while until I moved away from Linn. I believe the preamp section is similar to the Wokanda pre. I used it with a Karik III. Should have never got out of Linn. Beautiful to look at and listen to.

Again thanks. Feel free to journey on in this forum about Linn gear.

Anyone have experience with the 5103 pre?

Mike, I'm joining this late but here is my take. Get a Kairn if you can find one with a slimline power supply for around $800 or so. This is way, way better than the Wakonda, and all the more so if you are going to use the phono stage. (Kairn Pro's do not have a phonostage. Standard Kairns usually come with both mc and mm options for phono, but make sure yours has what you need before you buy.) In buying Kairns you do need to be aware that there were three different power supplies used during its product run - the slimline is the most recent and best sounding. Do a web search on "Linn product history" and you should find a link that tells you for which serial numbers you should look.

As to the AV 5103, it is better than the Kairn and a great value. But be warned, these are not user friendly and if you are not technically minded are a bear to set up. (I had mine programmed by my Linn dealer for $30) The complexity comes from the fact that they are really surround processors that have great audio. They originally retailed for around 8K (as recently as 5-6 years ago) but can now be had for around $1300 or so. If you get one of these, buy one with the blue LCD display, as they are newer.

Of the newer Linn preamps, I’m not a big fan of the Exotic – more detailed than the 5103 for sure, but very lean. That would be the next price step up on the Linn market, as I a have seen them for go for $1600 used (new $3200). But the AVI preamp at the same price point (new) is a LOT better.