Linn Components

I have listened to a fair amount of gear, and am always seeking to hear more. So far, as a whole, Linn is generally the best I have found for the money, and often much better than stuff that is MUCH more expensive.

Well, speakers may be the exception (caveat: I've never tried their stuff active). I will also say, although wonderfully accurate, well paced and neutral, Linn is not as dynamic as some gear - that is a legitimate complaint based on taste.

A lot of the complaints are far less legitimate. I've seen a fair amount criticism because as a company they aren't particularly interested in making heavy, macho equipment (think Krell). They use great sounding switch mode power supplies instead of heavy torriodal monsters, something that seems to baffle a lot of audiophiles who should know better. Linn also doesn't have a particular fetish for heavy, brushed aluminum - spending their time and money on what more directly effects sound. I have particularly heard this line of argument from dealers trying to sell 200+ lb amps against them, never mind nothing they sell sounds remotely as good. Some of these people will have the audacity to complain that Linn’s "build quality" is low, but Linn's quality record (established over 35 years) easily beats that of their brands.

Basically, I have decided a lot of people deriding Linn don’t know what they are talking about; some have agendas, and some have legitimate differences in taste.

As a long time owner of Linn gear I agree that they make fine stuff that is very long lived. Linn's detractors have used some very dubious claims to undermine their sales BUT Linn has been it's own worst enemy in they way the trained retailers to be mysterious and hoity toity. It seems to have changed somewhat with the dealers I've dealt with in recent years being upfront, honest and taking the mystery out of owning this stuff. It's is simply the best buy on the planet in the used market. The LP12 regularly gets trashed in these forums with the same repititous claims that don't hold water. Newmanoc, if you want to hear dynamic just insert a good tube preamp. It's really amazing what those Linn amps can do once set free. Especially for the money.

Hi Newmanoc:
You have voiced the way I feel in a very precise manner.
We should get in touch with Linn and ask them to put some lead inside their Amps and bring the weight up to 200 lb.
And yes the dealers are in some way to blame for the way people percive Linn. I was told that could do much better
however at a much higher cost to me.After a brief A and B
comparison it was a no brainer,even the saleperson had a smile on his face.Thank you for your words of encuragement
Ross

Low build quality? Bought my LP12, LK1 preamp, LK2 power amp and index speakers in 1986 I think. Still running strong and sounding great. This includes some hard duty during my 'party' years. The LK1 phono stage sounds great with the LP12 and is 'dirt' cheap used.

Cpdunn99:
Of course a correct point - Linn is one of the best audio companies in the world and recognized that way quite universally in the industry. It is just that here on Audiogon they don't have the same buzz as some other companies. As far as I can tell it is really a small, Audiogon phenomenon more than anything else.

Lugnut:
Wonderful to have your posts on this subject. From what I have been able to hear so far, I think you hit it right on the head pointing to Linn preamps as the source of limited dynamics, and not their power amps or sources. If you know anyone willing to sell a Supratek, let me know. I am very anxious to hear one (if any Supratek owner in Michigan reads this, PLEASE EMAIL ME - I'll happily buy a great lunch or dinner some weekend in Ann Arbor in exchange for an audition).

Mind you, Linn preamps have tremendous strengths of detail and refinement of their own. I had the chance to borrow a Klimax Kontrol for an evening - it is the sonic equivalent of a pane of glass - the music just passed through it purely, like magic. (This is quite out of my price range, unfortunately). On the used market, the Kairn is an incredible value, especially considering the phono stage.

I think you are also right about Linn marketing. I think they have annoyed some people with their approach over the years. Some of the cult-like stories about Ivor and the "only sound" thing do get a bit thick. Thankfully, as a whole, the equipment stands up remarkably well to the hype.

P.S. The etymology of “Lugnut” you posted yesterday is about the funniest and cleverest thing I’ve ever seen posted on this site. Thanks for the smiles!

Ross:
For what it is worth, the people whom I have been most impressed with in the audio business tend to deeply respect Linn, whether or not they sell it. Keep trusting your ears. I suspect like me, as you do you'll keep buying a lot of Linn stuff. It may not be the "only sound," but it is a mighty good one.