Selekt vs Akurate

[Bladvoc]

Hi all

Thinking about ditching my exakt system and going back to a passive system, for many reasons which i won't go into here.

I'm think about linn streamer and power amps with my existing 212 speakers. Absolute limit budget wise is an Akurate DSM with Klimax twin.

However, i'm thinking that long term a Selekt may be the way to go. I feel (from reading other discussions on this forum) that Akurate is likely to be phased out and therefore get overlooked in the organik roll out, whereas Selekt is likely to set to be modular with oodles of options going forward. So short term benefit of akurate vs long term upgradeability and organik with selekt.

Also, is a klimax twin better then bi-amping with an akurate 4200?

Cheers

 

[entdgc]

I have no insider knowledge like some on the forum but there is a lot of movement with Linn hierarchy at the moment and the possible dropping of Akurate by Linn has been mooted by some. I would hold off doing anything until the dust has settled.

One thing I can comment on from personal experience is the move to Klimax Twin. I recently went from Akurate x00 to Klimax Twin second hand for virtually no additional cost as the Twin was an older model and was not Dynamiked. I had low expectations of an audible difference and I am ashamed to say that one of the motivations was to finish the visual look of the system. The improvement was massive - my wife who is a lyricaphile rather than an audiophile has commented on the improvement on numerous occasions. This shows the value of Klimax level kit in general and if you can stretch your budget a little go all Klimax even second hand as they are pretty bullet proof. Klimax Renew streamers can be had for very little money (in Linn context!) but they are a dead end branch as they can't be upgraded unlike the genuine KDS(M) models.

Someone will be along shortly with contrary advice .

 

[Bladvoc]

I have no insider knowledge like some on the forum but there is a lot of movement with Linn hierarchy at the moment and the possible dropping of Akurate by Linn has been mooted by some. I would hold off doing anything until the dust has settled.

One thing I can comment on from personal experience is the move to Klimax Twin. I recently went from Akurate x00 to Klimax Twin second hand for virtually no additional cost as the Twin was an older model and was not Dynamiked. I had low expectations of an audible difference and I am ashamed to say that one of the motivations was to finish the visual look of the system. The improvement was massive - my wife who is a lyricaphile rather than an audiophile has commented on the improvement on numerous occasions. This shows the value of Klimax level kit in general and if you can stretch your budget a little go all Klimax even second hand as they are pretty bullet proof. Klimax Renew streamers can be had for very little money (in Linn context!) but they are a dead end branch as they can't be upgraded unlike the genuine KDS(M) models.

Someone will be along shortly with contrary advice .

Thanks.
Am steering more towards a klimax twin, just wondering if it's worth nearly double the cost of the 4200.
Sounds like it maybe is.

 

[MickC]

Thanks.
Am steering more towards a klimax twin, just wondering if it's worth nearly double the cost of the 4200.
Sounds like it maybe is.

Pair of (non-Dynamik) Solos on eBay at the moment:-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294992389374
Mick

 

[Wenge1]

Thanks.
Am steering more towards a klimax twin, just wondering if it's worth nearly double the cost of the 4200.
Sounds like it maybe is.

I have had both an Akurate 4200 and a Klimax Twin with the latter replacing the former - Huge upgrade.

 

[akamatsu]

I would hold off doing anything until the dust has settled.

I agree. It has been hinted at by a reliable source here that an announcement will be made within months. Perhaps this would include the next kit to get Organik, which could be the Selekt DSM. I too have heard a rumour from a reliable source outside of this forum that could indicate that Selekt would be next.

 

[Tendaberry]

My choice would be a second hand KDSM/2 (which could later be upgraded with Organik) and a pair of second hand (Dynamiked) Solos. Plus a Lejonklou Slipsik 8.0 for your LP12.

 

[Piercro]

I would go for a second hand akurate Dsm. If an Organik upgrade will be released you will be happy, if the mainstream will be Selekt you won’t be so disappointed and could trade in.

 

[Imseti]

I had a home demo by my excellent dealers in 2009 (now retired) of two 4200s Dynamik against four Twins WITHOUT Dynamik.

The non-Dynamik Twins were slightly better, but not by much and certainly not worth the extra money even with 50% discount offered.

Things will be very different methinks with Dynamiked Twins, which I've never heard in my system.

Take from that what you will. Get a home demo in your own acoustics and system if possible.

 

[Ben Webster]

I made a comparison Akurate 2200 Dynamik against Twin non-Dynamik and I can confirm that the difference was not so big as I expected.

With Twin Dynamik in is a different story.

 

[Paulssurround]

Bladvoc, I had a pair of beautiful 212’s which sounded excellent with a Majik Exaktbox I for my rear channel speakers. I have replaced my 212’s with a pair of passive Akudoriks driven by the Katalyst Akurate Exaktbox I and could not be more happy. The 212’s and Akudoriks are a match made in heaven with the Akurate Exaktbox I.

IMHO, there is no reason to abandon Exakt, as it brings a lot to the table. That said, I have heard some truly excellent Linn systems driven passive with Twins or Solos

I don’t know the future of Linn products, but it will almost certainly include Akurate moving forward. As I recall, a recent post by ThomasOK confirmed that, and he seemed quite certain that Akurate is more likely to get the Organik boards first than Selekt. Akurate level products are a much bigger seller than Selekt has ever been, and it just make way more sense to present the Organik upgrade to Akubariks, Akudoriks, Akurate Exaktboxes, and Akurate DSM’s.

I think a missing piece in the Linn lineup is an Akurate Exaktbox I that has a built in Akurate level streamer with 2 channels of amplification at 200 watts or 4 channels of amplification at 100 watts per channel.

 

[maddog_007]

I had a home demo by my excellent dealers in 2009 (now retired) of two 4200s Dynamik against four Twins WITHOUT Dynamik.

The non-Dynamik Twins were slightly better, but not by much and certainly not worth the extra money even with 50% discount offered.

Things will be very different methinks with Dynamiked Twins, which I've never heard in my system.

Take from that what you will. Get a home demo in your own acoustics and system if possible.

I've been using my C4200/Dynamik for years.
It's driven two sets of Totem Forest's with ease.The Chakra system manages power output and each speaker has two channels of enough power even up to 11'o clock levels!.

 

[Bladvoc]

Bladvoc, I had a pair of beautiful 212’s which sounded excellent with a Majik Exaktbox I for my rear channel speakers. I have replaced my 212’s with a pair of passive Akudoriks driven by the Katalyst Akurate Exaktbox I and could not be more happy. The 212’s and Akudoriks are a match made in heaven with the Akurate Exaktbox I.

IMHO, there is no reason to abandon Exakt, as it brings a lot to the table. That said, I have heard some truly excellent Linn systems driven passive with Twins or Solos

I don’t know the future of Linn products, but it will almost certainly include Akurate moving forward. As I recall, a recent post by ThomasOK confirmed that, and he seemed quite certain that Akurate is more likely to get the Organik boards first than Selekt. Akurate level products are a much bigger seller than Selekt has ever been, and it just make way more sense to present the Organik upgrade to Akubariks, Akudoriks, Akurate Exaktboxes, and Akurate DSM’s.

I think a missing piece in the Linn lineup is an Akurate Exaktbox I that has a built in Akurate level streamer with 2 channels of amplification at 200 watts or 4 channels of amplification at 100 watts per channel.

Thanks for that.

Main reasons for looking at going passive are basically financial. For me to upgrade power amps it is 2x4200's at a cost of circa £11k. There are no Linn speakers that would be an upgrade on my 212's without going to 'bariks which are not available passive (ok could get used 'doriks but are they much better then 212's?), plus would mean another 2200. Alternative exakt speakers limited and not really suitable for my modest listening room. I don't want and can't afford exakt speakers.
As each year ticks by the Linn price increase and the dwindling used value of my kit makes the changeover / upgrade price greater and greater. If i don't change soon then there'll be nowhere to go.

So, passive system with selekt or akurate dsm and 2200 or klimax twin with my existing 212's
I've listened to alternatives; selekt dsm with accuphase power amp and sopra 1 speakers sounds very nice.

It's going to cost a fair whack to make the change but then upgrades are much more simple and far more choice (if that's not an oxymoron)

 

[maddog_007]

Don't beat yourself up over passive v aktiv!.
In my early Linn owning days I started off with a Magik int amp and a pair of Keilidhs.Then a Kairn and Kabers...had the xovers removed to go aktiv with 3 x LK280 amps and a Tuneboks for the aktiv cards.This was great but a helluva lot of boxes plus cables!.
Went to a hifi show up here and came across a Totem Acoustics room...beautiful speakers of all sizes and the sound was something else.Ordered a pair of Totem Forests the next week and really never looked back since.
I'm now on my second pair of Forests the Signature model and I'm still extremely happy with their performance.
Linns Aktiv/Exakt systems is great,but the costs are getting out of hand imho.
I've put my resources into improving the analog /digital front ends.
This year I've changed my Cirkus to Karousel and swapped out my ancient Lingo 1 for the version 4.Sounds better than ever too .
Had my ADS/3 since 2012 and decided to get a Klimax DS/Katalyst as folks further up the chain are trading up to Organik DSM @ £30k.
Last week I put my ADS up against an order for the Organik upgrade to the KDS.
Source First really works!
Good luck with your choices but always enjoy your music!.

 

[Jail4CEOs2]

There was somebody here who did the upgrade from 212's to Akudorik's and said it was a great upgrade. It's definitely on my roadmap after Katalyst.

 

[Paulssurround]

Thanks for that.

Main reasons for looking at going passive are basically financial. For me to upgrade power amps it is 2x4200's at a cost of circa £11k. There are no Linn speakers that would be an upgrade on my 212's without going to 'bariks which are not available passive (ok could get used 'doriks but are they much better then 212's?), plus would mean another 2200. Alternative exakt speakers limited and not really suitable for my modest listening room. I don't want and can't afford exakt speakers.
As each year ticks by the Linn price increase and the dwindling used value of my kit makes the changeover / upgrade price greater and greater. If i don't change soon then there'll be nowhere to go.

So, passive system with selekt or akurate dsm and 2200 or klimax twin with my existing 212's
I've listened to alternatives; selekt dsm with accuphase power amp and sopra 1 speakers sounds very nice.

It's going to cost a fair whack to make the change but then upgrades are much more simple and far more choice (if that's not an oxymoron)

Definitely worth searching out a pair of Akudoriks if they come up.

When I upgraded from 212’s to Akudoriks, the music was more refined , more confidence and more detail

 

[Piercro]

I want to make you notice that with the new announcements on LP12 Selekt LP12 took the place of Akurate LP12. Could be the case also for DSM? https://www.linn.co.uk/uk/turntables

 

[Bladvoc]

I want to make you notice that with the new announcements on LP12 Selekt LP12 took the place of Akurate LP12. Could be the case also for DSM? https://www.linn.co.uk/uk/turntables

Just seen that and exactly my first reaction. If akurate LP12 is gone then how long before akurate DSM goes the same way?

I need to talk to my dealer.

I suspect Selekt will be the new mid range with several different upgrade options to take it to current akurate level and beyond.

I notice the price of the selekt lp212 is north of £10k. I believe the old akurate lp12 was circa £7k so what does that infer for selekt dsm going forward.

I worry about this. It leaves a massive hole in the DSM range. Jump from £5.5k Selekt DSM (kat) to £30k NGKDSM. Perhaps a new model due out fitting in at circa £10k to £12k (kat with extra for organik), between the akurate and old klimax - but why change?

They could of course end all the speculation by announcing planned new products and target release dates.

There's a huge gap in the speaker range as well

 

[Piercro]

The gap could filled by Selekt DSM Organik…

 

[Jail4CEOs2]

I don't understand all the Selekt ins and outs. Is a bare bones Selekt a system hub, but then Kartridges could be added to give it analog outputs and make it a DSM?