Hard to believe my Thiel and Bang & Olufsen speakers will be 36 years old next week, with my 20 year old Linn gear, as I enjoy them as much today as when I bought them new in 1988. The audio industry is fortunate to have a base of hobbyists who chase sound and are constantly buying / upgrading about every 18 months on average and spend a small fortune in the process. I am grateful this niche market exists for all involved but I am not one of them. I buy good gear once and enjoy it until it can no longer be repaired, if needed? To me, its really all about the music, which I chase every Friday, when it releases.
Wow. I have seen a linn in 1994. It was the same price as a luxury car. I ask why. They explained that some of the components and wires, was made of real gold. Is it true?
I’m sure it’s a great amp and I don’t blame Linn for getting into the “high end” race as profits are profits and after all and they are a business. But what about the customers who invested in exakt? Looks like they are shying away from exakt after gilad admitted the concept didn’t sell as well as he thought. Does this amp then mean customers who want the best linn system should ditch exakt (after heavily invested into it as I have) and go back to passive for the best linn sound?
I can answer that directly. Since I have compared both systems. 360 passive with klimax 800 vs 360 active. With, of course, the dsm3. The active version demolishes the passive system. So. Go active. There is no comparison between them. And yes, I have bought the 360A Single Malt colour with black trim
How does this compare to Kilmax 500 solo? Are solo's now obsolete? Can solo 500 no longer power the complex speakers as they originally claimed they could at any load?
Hi, great question! The Solo 800 is newer developed tech and more power (800W into 4 ohms), quite possibly one of the finest mono power amplifiers available right now. A new Utopik power supply rather than Dynamik, also Adaptive Bias Control to name a few. Solo 500 is still a very capable power amplifier indeed, more 'affordable' than the Solo 800 and better suited if your speakers have 2 or 3 way inputs and you would like to use multiple mono blocks per channel - this would be extremely costly to do with Solo 800! Solo 500 has been around for a long time and is still very relevant - a testament to it's engineering. - John
Hi, Linn have dabbled with class D for certain applications but have mainly used class A/B for a long time. The main reason for the size is internal component spacing as it relies on passive cooling alone. - John
I’ve been a Linnie since the early 80’s. Their new gear is totally awesome but way beyond my budget. Nonetheless I still so enjoy my LK140’s + 85 + Kolektor systems (3) every day with non Linn speakers. Cheers!!
Thanks so much. Yes, I do love and enjoy them. I also have a Genki in the main system. However, I never use it since I stream all of my music. Nonetheless, I can’t get rid of this great Linn kit!
Peter Tyson are one of the largest Linn retailers in the World and here in Carlisle we are only 95 miles away from the Linn factory in Glasgow. We get products before launch because we sell them. - John
True but it's not an either, or situation really. Even the best speakers in the world are pointless with a with a bad source and incorrect setup and visa versa. The whole system should be a consideration, but generally a good starting point is the source equipment. Only a good source can release the full potential of a loudspeaker, regardless of price point. It's often surprising what even a modest or classic pair of speakers is capable of with a decent source and considered setup and positioning. - John
Hard to believe my Thiel and Bang & Olufsen speakers will be 36 years old next week, with my 20 year old Linn gear, as I enjoy them as much today as when I bought them new in 1988. The audio industry is fortunate to have a base of hobbyists who chase sound and are constantly buying / upgrading about every 18 months on average and spend a small fortune in the process. I am grateful this niche market exists for all involved but I am not one of them. I buy good gear once and enjoy it until it can no longer be repaired, if needed? To me, its really all about the music, which I chase every Friday, when it releases.
Wow. I have seen a linn in 1994. It was the same price as a luxury car. I ask why. They explained that some of the components and wires, was made of real gold. Is it true?
@@Prince-jk7ku no idea…
Great presentation John. You are lucky to be able to hear all this mega class HiFi
I like that Linn have tried the active speaker setup but feel they have played on their name with their turntables.
Had an LP12 with a lingo etc etc. Also had a Linn Klout amp. No more! I find it hard to believe what Linn ask for their products today.
You havent heard the 360 have you?
They call it the climax solo because that's what you'll be doing once your wife sees the credit card statement.
🤣 underrated comment
I’m sure it’s a great amp and I don’t blame Linn for getting into the “high end” race as profits are profits and after all and they are a business. But what about the customers who invested in exakt? Looks like they are shying away from exakt after gilad admitted the concept didn’t sell as well as he thought. Does this amp then mean customers who want the best linn system should ditch exakt (after heavily invested into it as I have) and go back to passive for the best linn sound?
I would like to hear this back to back with the fully active Linn 360. They are possibly the nicest speakers I've ever heard. John
I can answer that directly. Since I have compared both systems. 360 passive with klimax 800 vs 360 active. With, of course, the dsm3. The active version demolishes the passive system. So. Go active. There is no comparison between them. And yes, I have bought the 360A Single Malt colour with black trim
How does this compare to Kilmax 500 solo? Are solo's now obsolete? Can solo 500 no longer power the complex speakers as they originally claimed they could at any load?
Hi, great question! The Solo 800 is newer developed tech and more power (800W into 4 ohms), quite possibly one of the finest mono power amplifiers available right now. A new Utopik power supply rather than Dynamik, also Adaptive Bias Control to name a few. Solo 500 is still a very capable power amplifier indeed, more 'affordable' than the Solo 800 and better suited if your speakers have 2 or 3 way inputs and you would like to use multiple mono blocks per channel - this would be extremely costly to do with Solo 800! Solo 500 has been around for a long time and is still very relevant - a testament to it's engineering. - John
Bias control …. I have the Krell FPB 300 CX with this technology 😊
Have to be true … I do like the Linn 🎉
Do you need eight of these for the Klimax 360 fully active speakers?
The active Linn 360 speakers need no external amplifiers, they are all on board. You can just connect the Klimax DSM streamer and away you go. - John
John I was wondering if Linn told you why they went back to class AB after all these years and do you know why the amp is so big is it has a SMPS?
Hi, Linn have dabbled with class D for certain applications but have mainly used class A/B for a long time. The main reason for the size is internal component spacing as it relies on passive cooling alone. - John
@@Peter-Tyson Thanks John. I thought Klimax used Chakra class topology which I understood as different from A/B. Cheers
Chakra is another name for the now expired Quad Audio Patent Current Damping@@volpedo2000
Drive 20.7s w 800w@4ohms 😊
Coda Ts v3 62lbs 3kw toroidal
Excellent
I’ve been a Linnie since the early 80’s. Their new gear is totally awesome but way beyond my budget. Nonetheless I still so enjoy my LK140’s + 85 + Kolektor systems (3) every day with non Linn speakers. Cheers!!
The LK140s and Lk85 and Kolektor are extreeeeemly good! Extreeemly. I am happy you enjoy them
Thanks so much. Yes, I do love and enjoy them. I also have a Genki in the main system. However, I never use it since I stream all of my music. Nonetheless, I can’t get rid of this great Linn kit!
Big reviewers don’t get Linn gear for review, so I wonder how did you manage to get one?
Peter Tyson are one of the largest Linn retailers in the World and here in Carlisle we are only 95 miles away from the Linn factory in Glasgow. We get products before launch because we sell them. - John
Thanks
Bit of a daft question 😹
About € ?
€ 45000 per piece
@@goodsound4756 What a bargain, I'll take 7 please to drive my surround sound set-up.
Looks a bit like a big Klout…. Just saying 😉
Source first….means nothing if your speakers are poor
True but it's not an either, or situation really.
Even the best speakers in the world are pointless with a with a bad source and incorrect setup and visa versa. The whole system should be a consideration, but generally a good starting point is the source equipment. Only a good source can release the full potential of a loudspeaker, regardless of price point. It's often surprising what even a modest or classic pair of speakers is capable of with a decent source and considered setup and positioning. - John