Upgrading from Classik Movie Di

[foreverupgrade]

Hello, I am finally looking into upgrading from my Linn Classik Movie Di + speakers which feed a room about 15 x 25 feet, with a turntable connected, and movies and streaming via an Apple TV. While literally anything Linn made post 2005 would be a big upgrade, I'd like to get something that will last as long as the Classik has. The options for the moment are:

1) a used Majik DSM/1 which I can later upgrade to HDMI 2.0 board. Would this really just be upgrading to 2009 tech, as it seems the subsequent Majik upgrades were Exakt & HDMI? It seems a little dated to me. Thoughts?

2) getting an AEDSM/2 and running it through the Classik's digital input until I can make the plunge for an Exaktbox/520/530 series speakers down the line.

3) A Linn Kiko with an external phono stage.

4) A Linn Sekrit DS-I, or Sekrit DSM with an external phono stage + B&W 606 speakers.

Would love to hear the community's opinions!

 

[akamatsu]

I'm thinking that option 1 would sound the best initially. I've read here that the /2 version is a sonic upgrade from version /1. But I don't know that first hand.

Option 2 would negate space optimisation as I believe it isn't applied to digital outputs. But once you add Exakt speakers, it's the best sounding option.

 

[foreverupgrade]

Hmmm, would be good to confirm that the Majik DSM/2 is a sonic upgrade. I haven’t heard this before. These are about $1000-1500 at this point, which seems a little high for circa 2009.

Option 2 is sort of tempting right now. The digital out is line level so there would be no volume control, which I’m sure would be an inconvenience…. But the streaming tech/phono stage are superior to Majik DSM, no?

Option 3 and 4 are the least expensive options, and would need phono stage and HDMI splitter… no upgrade path and I have no information on streaming quality for high res audio on the Sekrits

 

[akamatsu]

But the streaming tech/phono stage are superior to Majik DSM, no?

Yes. Streaming goes to 24/192. I believe it's limited to 24/96 on the Majik DSM. The Akurate Exakt DSM phono stage includes MC. Majik is MM with MC as an optional add-on.

 

[formann]

Also depends on which speakers you have / plan to have.

Majik DSM2 is quite a lot better than DMS/1 or DS-I. This goes for all inputs, streaming and analogue. Note that the phono stage upgrade for the MDSM which has MC is also quite a lot better on MM than the card provided (which in itself is nice)

 

[foreverupgrade]

Current options are Majik 109 or 140; and considering b&w 606 and researching Focal

 

[JensA]

Reading this thread only now..
I do own a Classik Movie DI as well as a Majik DSM/2 (with Linn 140 speakers)
The Classik Movie DI is great value for money (bought mine for abt 200 Euro last year) but the Majik DSM/2 is playing in a different league.

 

[dol]

Yeah, how did it go?
What TV do you connect to?
Obviously, with a DSM or Kiko, your streaming habits might change.
There is one kiko for 545 UKP on eBay, hard to beat, from value perspective. I just bought one for myself..
Kiko can sound great, although it is end of the line, but the included package is pretty neat.
Only HDMI 1.3, hence if you have apple TV 4k, I would connect to TV dorectly with toslink to Kiko..
If you go for Majik DSM obviously you have a larger selection of speakers.. If you find anything in the range of Kiko price it is a steal.

 

[Dasher]

Yeah, how did it go?
What TV do you connect to?
Obviously, with a DSM or Kiko, your streaming habits might change.
There is one kiko for 545 UKP on eBay, hard to beat, from value perspective. I just bought one for myself..
Kiko can sound great, although it is end of the line, but the included package is pretty neat.
Only HDMI 1.3, hence if you have apple TV 4k, I would connect to TV dorectly with toslink to Kiko..
If you go for Majik DSM obviously you have a larger selection of speakers.. If you find anything in the range of Kiko price it is a steal.

This was a good spot - it's now mine! I've got it for my log cabin/gym. I'm hoping that it will play the part of a modern version of the Classik. I';ve had several classics over the years, but always paired them with decent speakers - never the original Classik speakers. My last Classik was on kitchen duty with an off board streamer. The lack of Qobuz on the streamer was a hinderance and so it was replaced a year or so ago by a Majik DSM/2. The now redundant Classik was going to the Cabin, but the Kiko gives me streaming and Qobuz - the speakers 'will do' for what its job will be! Sadly my Classik will now go to eBay. My dad still uses his with an LP12 and Katans (and an LK140) and I have to say, that if it was all that I had, I would be very happy. (If mine doesn't make eBay it will be going up to him as a backup).

 

[Dasher]

I've set up the Kiko now and had a good chance to listen to it in some depth today. I had, until a year ago, a Classik doing service in the kitchen. I changed this to an MDS/2 about a year ago. I also had a Classik Movie (the original, non Di) in the office. So, for those looking to move from the Classik and into a streaming world, here's what I think: Firstly, the Classik is still a pretty potent, one box system and, with Tukans or Katans can easily be an end point in itself. Pairing a streamer that does Qobuz (for not much money) was proving difficult - which is why I went MDSM/2 - I had the Katans already waiting for this... and so to the Kiko. It's not been bought to replace the MDSM/2 - but I have sited it next to it for set-up purposes. It is a very different presentation. My immediate reaction is that it is like listening to near field studio monitors - not necessarily a bad thing, but very different from either the MDSM or the Classik. Its form factor is very neat. I actually think that the sound is better suited to the kitchen than the MDSM/2 is- but I could listen to the MDSM/2 / Katans all night long in my main listening environment - I think that I'd find the Kiko just to detailed. It is definitely a modern replacement for the Classik - especially the Classik as conceived with its own space saving speakers (it's light years better than those original Classik speakers) - but it is what it is - I can't see any option for changing the Kiko speakers. If you want a fit and forget streaming system in a not too large space though it is a neat package.