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Linn CD12 MK3

A friend of mine who is a long time Linn's user told me about Linn CD12 mkIII. He previously used Linn CD12 mk1, mk2. Also,he has Linn LP12SE full stack and Klimax DSM in his system. He had purchased this USED Linn CD12 MK3 for $18000. To my knowledge, Linn CD12 CDP mk1(20bit) and mk2(24bit) serial number are of 3digits. But this so called Linn CD12 MK3 had 6 digits serial number. He said this CD12 MK3 is very rare and Limited. My friend has A/B comparison many Linn sources in his own system. And what he said is CD12 mk2 better than mk1. But the 6digits serial number CD12 MK3 is a true Linn masterpiece. It easily beat mk2 in every aspect. He had compared to Linn LP12SE full stack, and the new Klimax DSM and he even prefered Linn CD12 MK3. He told it preserved the Linn's maximum musical magic of LP12SE full stack plus more dynamic extreme, more details yet very musical.
My question is who ever had experience in Linn CD12 6digits serial number MK3? I have never seen this version before. Where can I get one?
samie
jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
Nice gift- George. How are you liking this spinner?
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 

First, I just love the sound of R2R Multibit D to A convertors for doing Redbook (PCM) conversion, as they do it "bit perfect" compared to any Delta Sigma (DSD) based cdp/dacs I’ve heard, which always seem to disappoint me on Redbook replay. And the Linn CD12 is R2R Multibit having 4x PCM1704k dacs.

It sound is very very good, smooth detailed and extended both ends, with very good slam and presences. It has what Linn calls "Pratt" others call it bounce, which to me is a better description, and it’s sound staging and imaging is first rate.

It’s a very, very good player, that does some things a little better than my heavily modified Cary 303/200 which also uses the PCM1704K dacs and the same buffer output. Though my Cary does dynamic punch a bit better again, which I bring down too the feedback free A844 I/V stage I used in it. I may try to put that I/V stage in the Linn one day (bit of a job) to see if that improves it again, but at the moment I’m very happy with it’s sound. Thanks for asking.

BTW: Can’t believe this player was over $30k here in Australia. Sure is built like a brick shithouse.

Cheers George

jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
Many Thanks! George.

do you mod these players yourself?
Happy Listening!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 

Hi, Jafant, not the Linn, "yet", one day. 

But yes on the Cary, you can read all about it in this lengthy 1500 post thread. On how I used the AD844 without feedback for I/V duties on cdp's that use PCM1704K dac's, the last and best R2R Multibit made.  Which is also in the Linn CD12. 

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/227677-using-ad844-i-v.html

Cheers George

 

larryi
1,972 posts
 
I don't know if it has to do with the choice of chip, or something else, but, I like the sound of the CD12 and also the sound of the Naim 555 cd player that I own.  This too uses the 1704 chipset.   There are a number of high-end DAC makers that horde really old chips because they deliver great sound.  Most of the "improvements" to more modern chips have to do with making them more suitable for other applications--making them smaller, making them use less power, making them provide other functions.
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