Linn Owners

The 4 Hour Transformation Of A Linn System

Paulssurround

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I was invited to do Space Optimisation v2 for a Linn owner’s stereo on Friday, but decided to surprise the owner and do a complete makeover, to try get the best out of his current system

‘The Linn system consisted of a pair of cherry 242’s, Akurate DSM with an Exaktbox 10 and an Akurate 4200 and Majik 6100

Sound quality was okay, but lacked detail and dynamics, sound stage was compressed, musicians were recessed, and overall was lacking bass.

‘I brought along a bag of goodies to help upgrade his system, such as a torque wrench, copper tape, shielding materials, Gunstigs, Isoacoustic Puck Minis, and laser distance measure

‘First up was to level the speakers, after checking that the speakers were the same distance from the front wall,  had the same toe-in angle, at the ideal position. Then I pulled out a digital torque wrench and adjusted the torque of the 3K array to 0.85 nM for all of the bolts holding the 3K array.

Behind the HiFi cabinet was one of the worst examples of cable spaghetti I have seen, with at least 50 cables all interwoven with mains leads, Ethernet cables, interconnects, and speaker wire. I set about unraveling the cables to separate the power cords from the signal cables and then did a listen to some music. He had a number of expensive Isotek mains leads, and I checked to see what they were powering, and suggested the best ones be put on the DSM, and Exaktbox 10. Definitely progress.

‘The audio and video component mains leads were reconnected to separate the audio components from the video components.

‘The Ethernet cables from the switch to the DSM, and the Ethernet cable from the DSM to the Exaktbox 10 were soon wrapped in copper tape.

‘I brought along a brand new Gunstig and a set of 4 Isoacoustic Puck Minis. The Gunstig was cut up into 4 X4 squares and placed in a stack of 3 under each of the feet on the Exaktbox 10, and the Isoacoustic Puck Minis under the chassis of the Akurate DSM.  Gunstig squares were also placed under the NetGear switch and the NAS. So far, so good, with big improvements in sound quality.

‘The Akurate DSM case was opened up, and a piece of Laird EMI shielding material was placed along the length of the Dynamik power supply, on the circuit board side of the case, to help reduce the high frequency EMI generated by the SMPS from potentially polluting the circuit boards 

‘Lastly, it was time to do Space Optimisation V2. The room was measured , the room features added, building materials, height, toe-in, speaker positioning and listener positioning were all entered into Space Optimisation, and the calculations done.

‘The final result was well worth the effort. The music was significantly improved in detail, and dynamics, the background noise floor far quieter, the music was more relaxed and effortless. There was ample bass, and the instruments and voices were more enjoyable and engaging in every way.

He is now planning to buy more Gunstigs, Isoacoustic Puck Minis, Laird EMI shielding, copper tape, and better manage his cable spaghetti.

‘It was 4 hours well spent.

 

Paulssurround

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Thanks guys. It was a lot of fun.

‘There is a great feeling of satisfaction, hearing an improvement with each step taken to optimise a HiFi system.

‘The real joy is seeing the smile on the owner’s face, when everything is done 

 
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Elad Repooc

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‘There is a great feeling of satisfaction, hearing an improvement with each step taken to optimise a HiFi system.

‘The real joy is seeing the smile on the owner’s face, when everything is done 
I appreciate your run down and what you did to improve this Linn owner's system.

I find it interesting there is a lack of explanation as to how the ideal position for the speakers was determined.

My biggest question though, when I see this coming from (albeit enthusiastic) end users, is where was the retailer involved in any of this? Even if this system was purchased completely used, and not from a dealer, I think were I a local/regional Linn dealer I would want the opportunity to earn a Linn owner's future business by offering this service. The fact that the owner would prefer to work with someone who also happens to own Linn instead of a retailer for this service is quite interesting. 

I find seeing this type of thing to be very disconcerting, personally. If Linn owners think they can achieve better performance by having someone from an internet forum who also happens to own Linn than from a local or regional representative then it speaks volumes about where this industry is headed.

 

Paulssurround

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I appreciate your run down and what you did to improve this Linn owner's system.

I find it interesting there is a lack of explanation as to how the ideal position for the speakers was determined.

My biggest question though, when I see this coming from (albeit enthusiastic) end users, is where was the retailer involved in any of this? Even if this system was purchased completely used, and not from a dealer, I think were I a local/regional Linn dealer I would want the opportunity to earn a Linn owner's future business by offering this service. The fact that the owner would prefer to work with someone who also happens to own Linn instead of a retailer for this service is quite interesting. 

I find seeing this type of thing to be very disconcerting, personally. If Linn owners think they can achieve better performance by having someone from an internet forum who also happens to own Linn than from a local or regional representative then it speaks volumes about where this industry is headed.
Thank you.

Are you suggesting that a Linn dealer is the only one who has knowledge on how to get a Linn system to sound good?

I think you will find that everything I do would be disconcerting to you, and I am perfectly okay with that.   😊

 
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Elad Repooc

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Are you suggesting that a Linn dealer is the only one who has knowledge on how to get a Linn system to sound good?
Absolutely not. 

What I am asking is quite clear - why would an end user choose to have you set up their system instead of the retailer they purchased from?

If anything what I am saying is that if you are able to achieve better performance than a retailer can, then it simply proves the incompetency of the retailer. They probably shouldn't be selling Linn if an end user can walk up to a system they sold and improve upon it.

 
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Elad Repooc

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To me this is just another example of how the HiFi industry has allowed things to go completely unchecked. The fact is that many times the end user can get better performance themselves - not always a bad thing, if you're doing it yourself. But as an end user, to have to pay another end user of the same product to achieve performance that the retailer could not, is simply a bit ridiculous. 

I suppose what I mean to say is that if the people who are being paid to sell the products in the first place are also lazy enough to the point that an end user is taking money out of their pocket for service work that either should have been included in the initial sale or as something in addition to the sale, it means the retailers are missing out on opportunities to grow their business 

I just know that if I were a customer of a shop that sold me approximately $50-$60K in Linn gear I'd be a bit upset when I found out some guy on a forum can do a better job than the shop can.

 
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Paulssurround

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To me this is just another example of how the HiFi industry has allowed things to go completely unchecked. The fact is that many times the end user can get better performance themselves - not always a bad thing, if you're doing it yourself. But as an end user, to have to pay another end user of the same product to achieve performance that the retailer could not, is simply a bit ridiculous. 

I suppose what I mean to say is that if the people who are being paid to sell the products in the first place are also lazy enough to the point that an end user is taking money out of their pocket for service work that either should have been included in the initial sale or as something in addition to the sale, it means the retailers are missing out on opportunities to grow their business 

I just know that if I were a customer of a shop that sold me approximately $50-$60K in Linn gear I'd be a bit upset when I found out some guy on a forum can do a better job than the shop can.
As a Linn enthusiast,  I have travelled to 12 different countries to do Space Optimisation, and had the opportunity to work with more than 100 Linn systems.

It did not matter to me if the system was an inexpensive Linn system, or a full blown Komri system driven by a full complement of Solos. What mattered to me was that I was helping another person to get more musical enjoyment out of their beloved Linn system.

From my travels, I met at least 150 Linn owners, many of them on this Forum. Along the way I learned a few things. I also have a good memory for much of what has been posted on the Linn Forum and on HiFi Wigwam, picking up knowledge over the years.

‘I have never charged anyone for my help, and at the end of the day all of  my services were done for free. I paid my own travel costs most of the time, and accommodation was often provided in the person’s home that I was visiting. I often paid for parts like Gunstigs, copper shielding, and so on, from my own pocket, with no desire to recoup the costs. 

My life has been greatly enriched from this extraordinary journey, and at the end of the day, my Linn and many other Linn owners are very happy with their systems. 

 

Elad Repooc

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‘I have never charged anyone for my help, and at the end of the day all of  my services were done for free. I paid my own travel costs most of the time, and accommodation was often provided in the person’s home that I was visiting. I often paid for parts like Gunstigs, copper shielding, and so on, from my own pocket, with no desire to recoup the costs. 
I was not aware that you provided your services for free. That is quite puzzling.

What is interesting to me is that over 100 owners of Linn systems preferred your "free" service to the service that should have been provided by their retailer in the first place.

To me this speaks to the failure of the retailers to effectively do the job they are being paid to do.

 

Elad Repooc

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In fact, I would be quite upset if I had purchased an Aktiv/Exakt system from a Linn retailer only to have someone improve on the performance of the system at no additional charge and out of his own pocket.

Are these Linn owners in these 12 countries not willing to have their retailer examine and inspect their HiFi and ensure it's performance? Or are the retailers simply that incompetent that these end users are more than happy to have you fronting expenses on their behalf out of your pocket to improve their systems?

Something doesn't add up here, I simply find it bizarre that someone would do all of this out of their interest in a manufacturer without also wishing to receive compensation for their expenses and efforts.

I also find it interesting that more Linn owners aren't upset with their dealers if this is going on to this extent. What sort of customers of a product don't seem to see the disconnect here? You mean a guy is so passionate about something he's paying to come to visit you?

 

Nrwatson

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Interesting view point I know that from my experience my first dealer didn’t spend that sort of time setting up my system and it took over a day to get my system to sing with my mates working out the ideal position then Paul came and stayed and spent two days setting up space optimization 1 I had to supply bed and chocolate and cherrios and I had a great time showing him around London so yes Paul wasn’t paid 

 

Elad Repooc

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Interesting view point I know that from my experience my first dealer didn’t spend that sort of time setting up my system and it took over a day to get my system to sing with my mates working out the ideal position then Paul came and stayed and spent two days setting up space optimization 1 I had to supply bed and chocolate and cherrios and I had a great time showing him around London so yes Paul wasn’t paid 
Yea I find this absolutely fascinating.

What I find even more fascinating in addition to no help from the dealer apparently is that as a Linn end user you didn't seem to have an issue with someone providing you free service which should have either already been included or at minimum discussed with your retailer, simply because he is a fellow enthusiast.

What this indicates is that people seem to be more inclined to trust someone they meet online in a forum to get performance out of their HiFi than the dealers they purchase their HiFi from.

My observation thus stands - the retailers aren't doing their jobs properly it seems.

 

Paulssurround

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Perhaps you would have to be Canadian to understand it?   

To be born in Canada, I had to sign a binding agreement that I would do my best to make sure that everyone that I can help, becomes a winner.  😌🙏

I have made a lot of incredible friends from my travels, and that is truly priceless.

I gained far more than anything I would have had if I had charged people for my services.

 

Elad Repooc

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Here is what bothers me about this particular topic. 

First off is the fact that there are over 100 owners of Linn who have had no problem inviting someone who is not a representative of the product to "optimize" their system in their homes.

I find this to be a failure on the part of the retailers as well as on the part of the clients/customers. The retailers/dealers should be installing the products, period. Note I said install, not necessarily optimize. I realize the retailers don't always do this and there are arrangements to send a competent customer or DIY'er out the door with a product, but I can confidently state that when I personally sold Linn, I never once expected to not have to install the product. And the clients/customers, who are in many cases making a purchase far in excess of what "normal" people spend on a HiFi system, should have at least a bit of comprehension about what a unique product line Linn is and that yes, it does require specialist installation in order to get the most out of it, and that additional optimization should at minimum be an optional service provided by the retailer. If at that point they decide to opt to not pay the retailer for their optimization services, and instead DIY it or have someone like Paul come over and handle things, then of course that is their prerogative. Personally, with the product being what it is, I don't comprehend why anyone selling it would not include optimization services for free with just about any Linn DSM purchase, if not particularly for such an expense as an Exakt system.

What blows my mind is that so many retailers/sales people (I mean, it is over 100 systems according to Paul) completely blew their chance to actually provide proper customer service to their client, to the point where someone on a forum was able to show up their system setup and/or implementation of a Linn product.

And, what further blows my mind is that the end users for systems as technologically and sonically advanced as a Linn system wouldn't ensure that when they do purchase their system, that it is from a capable individual who their money is well spent with, and who has a much better grasp of how audio and HiFi actually work than people who might frequent an online forum.

Otherwise you're just rewarding the doofuses out there who are too lazy to do the work to achieve what any of this HiFi stuff is capable of. And aren't there enough of those wandering around already?

 

Elad Repooc

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To be born in Canada, I had to sign a binding agreement that I would do my best to make sure that everyone that I can help, becomes a winner.  😌🙏
Which is confusing, because as my analysis above points out, the retailers and in many cases the end users are losing, not winning.

How are you helping an individual who might work at a Linn retailer learn how to properly do their job so that their system setup and implementation of the Linn products they represent don't require someone like yourself to come along and improve upon it?

 
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Craigas

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Think the main concept here is thats its a hobby (for lack of a better word) for both Paul and the people, forum members, he has helped. It's about sharing information, experience and connecting with like minded people to share and tweak, but in person in this case, not just on the forum. 

I see your point about the dealer should be doing this but its quite a narrow view in my opinion. Dealers I would think are certified to setup and configure a Linn system to a certain standard using a prescribed approach. I would not expect to have my dealer, whether an automobile or other perform a service beyond what is prescribed and I respect that. What Paul is doing is not certified by Linn, tweaks and such, dealers could in effect lose their license by doing some of these tweaks, and where would it end, every time a customer calls and says I think it could sound better.

In some ways its similar to my cousin who belongs to a Pontiac old car forum. Its his hobby, he has traveled hours to drop off a part he had no use for, and people appreciated his help, he's highly regarded. This month he was going to fly to Vancouver (he lives in Toronto) and drive a 1965 beat up Pontiac someone on the forum purchased just for the fun of a cross country road trip and to help out, hes retired so he also has the time. Someone else on the forum, concerned about the safety of the car and him, spent hours checking it out and fixing some issues, again at no cost. Same thing here. It's a passion.

Could you make a business of it, perhaps, but its risky, not sure of the business model to be frank.

 
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Paulssurround

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I appreciate your run down and what you did to improve this Linn owner's system.

I find it interesting there is a lack of explanation as to how the ideal position for the speakers was determined.

My biggest question though, when I see this coming from (albeit enthusiastic) end users, is where was the retailer involved in any of this? Even if this system was purchased completely used, and not from a dealer, I think were I a local/regional Linn dealer I would want the opportunity to earn a Linn owner's future business by offering this service. The fact that the owner would prefer to work with someone who also happens to own Linn instead of a retailer for this service is quite interesting. 

I find seeing this type of thing to be very disconcerting, personally. If Linn owners think they can achieve better performance by having someone from an internet forum who also happens to own Linn than from a local or regional representative then it speaks volumes about where this industry is headed.
I started my travels because so many people were having trouble trying to figure out how to get good results from Space Optimisation v1.

I was willing and able to help them with that, and at the same time was able to take care of other basic setup procedures.

It was a learning curve for me as well

Yea I find this absolutely fascinating.

What I find even more fascinating in addition to no help from the dealer apparently is that as a Linn end user you didn't seem to have an issue with someone providing you free service which should have either already been included or at minimum discussed with your retailer, simply because he is a fellow enthusiast.

What this indicates is that people seem to be more inclined to trust someone they meet online in a forum to get performance out of their HiFi than the dealers they purchase their HiFi from.

My observation thus stands - the retailers aren't doing their jobs properly it seems.
See above comment.

Customer service levels, varies with each dealership. There are certainly some excellent dealers. 

Here is what bothers me about this particular topic. 

First off is the fact that there are over 100 owners of Linn who have had no problem inviting someone who is not a representative of the product to "optimize" their system in their homes.

I find this to be a failure on the part of the retailers as well as on the part of the clients/customers. The retailers/dealers should be installing the products, period. Note I said install, not necessarily optimize. I realize the retailers don't always do this and there are arrangements to send a competent customer or DIY'er out the door with a product, but I can confidently state that when I personally sold Linn, I never once expected to not have to install the product. And the clients/customers, who are in many cases making a purchase far in excess of what "normal" people spend on a HiFi system, should have at least a bit of comprehension about what a unique product line Linn is and that yes, it does require specialist installation in order to get the most out of it, and that additional optimization should at minimum be an optional service provided by the retailer. If at that point they decide to opt to not pay the retailer for their optimization services, and instead DIY it or have someone like Paul come over and handle things, then of course that is their prerogative. Personally, with the product being what it is, I don't comprehend why anyone selling it would not include optimization services for free with just about any Linn DSM purchase, if not particularly for such an expense as an Exakt system.

What blows my mind is that so many retailers/sales people (I mean, it is over 100 systems according to Paul) completely blew their chance to actually provide proper customer service to their client, to the point where someone on a forum was able to show up their system setup and/or implementation of a Linn product.

And, what further blows my mind is that the end users for systems as technologically and sonically advanced as a Linn system wouldn't ensure that when they do purchase their system, that it is from a capable individual who their money is well spent with, and who has a much better grasp of how audio and HiFi actually work than people who might frequent an online forum.

Otherwise you're just rewarding the doofuses out there who are too lazy to do the work to achieve what any of this HiFi stuff is capable of. And aren't there enough of those wandering around already?
There are ample opportunities for you to provide the services needed to optimize a Linn system, independent from the dealers.

‘I would encourage you to do so, with great success

 

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