Klimax LP12 with Urika 1 or Urika 2

[NL.]

Hi guys,

I'm seriously considering my final upgrade jump, Akurate LP12 to Klimax LP12. Speakers and DSM are already at Klimax level. So now I'm curious whether to choose Urika 1 or 2. I'm closer to Urika 2, as it would  be pefect match.

However two things bother me.

First, ADC imbeded in Urika 2. I assume Urika 2 has two ADCs which are at least one generation older than ADC imbeded in my Klimax NG DSM hub. Should I now expect maybe better results with analog Urika 1 coupled with NG ADC? I also assume the Urika 2 ADC board will soon be upgraded... but so far ADC board inside Urika 2 is the old one.

Second one is less important, but still IMHO valid - my Klimax LP12 will work only with Linn (exakt) systems , and I will not be able to try and compare it with any other system. Exept parhaps via optical out which I have spotted on Urika 2. Otherwise no analog outputs at all.

Your thoughts on this dillema would be much appriciated

Best Regards and Merry Christmas,
NL.

P.S. I need a phonostage now, as my KDSM doesnt have it inside. I use my old Akurate DSM/3 as "phonostage", connected to KDSM via optical Toslink. I found this connection sounding better than analog, and better than SPDIF digital. I did't try exakt, as on both Akurate and Klimax DSM there are only male exakt link sockets. But anyhow its pointless to use Akurate DSM like this. My other thoughts go into direction to leave Akurate LP12 as is and to add Lejonklou Entinty.  

 

[Iain Docherty]

Hi

i have a not-quite-Klimax LP12 (Akurate Radikal and Krystal) and moved from Urika 1 to 2 using an Akurate DSM. It was at least as big an upgrade as Ekos 2 to Ekos SE, and not far off Kore to Keel. I’d imagine a Urika 2 would be a very significant improvement indeed over the built in phono stage. I don’t have an Exakt system either FWIW, but I do occasionally make some vinyl rips - easy to do with the toslink out - and they’re superb.

HTH

Iain.

 

[Mr Kandid]

Simple keep it real analogue and go Urika 1 

Go digital and tune how you like go Urika2 

 

[Moomintroll]

Should I now expect maybe better results with analog Urika 1 coupled with NG ADC?

The NG KDSM has a better master clock. This improves the performance of all connected Exakt devices. The Urika 2 applies a more accurate RIAA curve to the signal coming from the cartridge, than the Urika 1 and the signal is digitised at the earliest possible point in the chain. The use of Exakt technology allows the component manufacturing tolerances in each Urika 2 to be measured and corrected to the ideal specification. Even if the NG ADC did make a better conversion, by the time the signal from the cartridge makes it to the KDSM, it’s not the same signal that gets to the ADCs in the Urika 2.
 

‘troll

 

[macfan]

@NL. My vote would be for Urika-II and send the signal over to your Klimax NG System Hub via Exakt. The benefits of the Urika-II where stated by @Moomintroll and you gain the benefits of having the Organik DAC in your Klimax 350s. 

Win win in with this scenario as long as you are committed to the Linn ecosystem which you seem to be. I think you would be very happy with this setup.

Happy listening 

 

[Nestor Turton]

Another vote for Urika II for all the reasons given above. 

 

[Specialboy]

Having made the jump from U1 to U2 myself, I would recommend the U2. Besides the benefits listed my Moomintroll above, the U1 has fixed loadings that really only suit Krystal and Kandid, where the U2 can be adjusted and even has presets for many popular cartridges outside of Linns MC’s.
I also wouldn’t worry about the U2 getting an update as you will be able to upgrade or exchange for a U3, but it won’t make the U2 sound worse because there is something newer/better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[akamatsu]

NG Klimax hub was a huge improvement to analogue playback in my system. I think this was partly due to the Urika 2 being in place, for reasons pointed out by @Moomintroll.

 

[kryno]

Never had Urika 1 in my system, but I can say that Urika II is so delightfully musical that I couldn’t ask for better.

Also I think that in an exakt system Urika II is the most logical choice.

 

[Sound Man]

It may be a stupid question but doe's a Urika 2 include the Exakt lead ( phono stage out to Klimax DSM in ) as an accessory included in the box from Linn?

 

[akamatsu]

It may be a stupid question but doe's a Urika 2 include the Exakt lead ( phono stage out to Klimax DSM in ) as an accessory included in the box from Linn?

No. it doesn't. Choose your Exaktlink carefully as changing the cable requires minor surgery. I had mine changed out when I had the Radikal 2 upgrade done. I wanted a longer cable, and I took advantage of the opportunity to go with a Blue Jeans Cable Cat 5e, to replace a BJC Cat 6a. I wanted unshielded. Even though I can't hear a difference. Cat 5e is also thinner.

 

[macfan]

@NL. Another few points I forgot to mention for the Urika-II

1. The lead out of the tonearm will be very short and connect to the Urika-II analog input without the need to exit the back of the LP12
   
2. This helps to some degree as the signal out of you Krystal is very small and the quick conversation to digital will with any possible singal degradation
   
3. At this point we keep the signal in the digital domain till it Is converted back to analog by a DAC, in your case an Organik DAC
   
4. The Urika-II also will easily allow changing the settings for your cartridge - the Krystal has a preset but you can set it too what sounds best to you. It is easy to experiment. 
   
5. There are some settings for non Linn cartridges as well. 
   
6. I like the tidiness of the preamp inside the table and appreciate the technical benefits of it but it is a hassle to get into it to make changes - especially with a a Urika-I. If one where to go down this road it seems to make sense to consider an external preamp like the ones championed by @ThomasOK
   

Now like @akamatsu points out plan your Exakt run carefully. I have Chord Epic pigtails coming out the back to feed my SDSM. This worked great until I moved the DSM further away. I ended up with an Ethernet coupler and a longer run of the Chord Epic. This works well and the coupler does not detract from the sound in anyway that I can hear. 

For Exakt system owners who do not want to "tinker" too much it is a good choice.

 

[pirov]

Hi

i have a not-quite-Klimax LP12 (Akurate Radikal and Krystal) and moved from Urika 1 to 2 using an Akurate DSM. It was at least as big an upgrade as Ekos 2 to Ekos SE, and not far off Kore to Keel. I’d imagine a Urika 2 would be a very significant improvement indeed over the built in phono stage. I don’t have an Exakt system either FWIW, but I do occasionally make some vinyl rips - easy to do with the toslink out - and they’re superb.

HTH

Iain.

Do you mean toslink out of the U2? Can you expand on how you do this if so?

 

[Nestor Turton]

… toslink out of the U2? Can you expand on how you do this if so?

 

[pirov]

I have a Klimax Exakt LP12 system including NG Hub and Urika 2 (Akubarik speakers instead of 350s). Having had Urika 1 before, I'm was pleased withe the switch. As per @Specialboy, ease of adjusting cartridge loading via Konfig/Linn Account is another advantage (I have Lyra Kleos SL which has only recently been added to Linn's designated carts with default settings – wrong IMO!)

 

[pirov]

Ah yes, thanks for this. I wonder if there is there any harm in connecting a toslink out lead (next time the deck is taken apart) and leaving this unused for the moment? 

 

[Sound Man]

Nestor, Your picture of the Urika 2 and subsection 2 explains why on the Klimax Organik LP12 input the visual display on the glass reads 192k/24bit PCM. The Organik is looking for the 192k/24bit from the Urika 2. My new Radikal 2 and Urika 2 arrive next week. I think my Organik DSM will be very happy then! Much better than a Uphorik phono stage.

 

[akamatsu]

Ah yes, thanks for this. I wonder if there is there any harm in connecting a toslink out lead (next time the deck is taken apart) and leaving this unused for the moment? 

I can't imagine any harm it would do.

 

[Moomintroll]

Ah yes, thanks for this. I wonder if there is there any harm in connecting a toslink out lead (next time the deck is taken apart) and leaving this unused for the moment? 

As long as you don’t get the urge to use it as a laser pointer…

I can't imagine any harm it would do.

See above…

’troll