Linn Klimax DSM Organik: A Great Streaming DAC Preamp Gets Even Better
Mike and David riff about Linn's Klimax DSM streamer in this episode, a landmark hi-fi product that was launched back in 2007. It is now upgradeable to the latest Linn spec with the new Organik DAC board.
The guys reckon it's a lovely bit of kit, and with secondhand prices considerably lower than the company's latest Klimax DSM 'Next Gen', it's a high end classic hi-fi bargain. Indeed, LP12 owner Mike is smitten, and says it's the best streamer he's ever heard...
Each episode of Hi-Fi Riff features their unedited, unexpurgated views about all manner of weird and wonderful hi-fi designs. Mike has a wealth of knowledge from his hi-fi retail years, and David has written about hi-fi for thirty years. Now Editor-in-Chief of StereoNET, he's picked up a few things along the way.
So brew up a cuppa or crack open a can, and relax and enjoy some one-take hi-fi riffing - and please leave your comments below.
Oh, and don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button, this one goes up to eleven!
The eighties-tastic title tune is called ‘UFO/Mike’s Jumper’, and used with the express permission of our old pal and rights holder Simon Lythe.
Пікірлер: 38
Had the dem between my Katalyst KDS and the What You See and Hear shop KDS that’d been updated to Organik the other day. Huge improvement. Deposit paid. Just six weeks to wait until the upgrade.
Wish I had the funds for a source like this! Lovely riff 👍
Thanks much for reviewing this Linn dac upgrade or any Linn product for that matter. There's very few Linn reviews on KZread, compared to other audio manufacturers.
That’s great guys. A lot of enthusiasm for the old DS and DSM’s that can be upgraded.
Have the newe organic hub and the upgrade to the 350a Klimax speakers. The sound is unbelievable,it’s like I have never heard music before .it’s like taking ear muffs of for the first time, the sound is
I'm generally a believer in a strategy of separation i.e. keeping streaming hardware, DACs and amplification as separate units. Not because I don't think that any/all of those things combined mean you can't get top notch performance (this Klimax DSM would be a shining example of that) but primarily because they're all at different stages of product maturity. A pre (or integrated) from decades past can still be perfectly current and top notch now, whereas DACs have come on a fair bit and streamers are practically still in short-trousers as product categories go!
Holy crap..... Five grand for a dac board. But not to worry.... You are saving 20 grand...... Give or take a grand or two!
I have both Klimax DSM 3 and Klimax 2 Organik for different systems. The KDSM2 upgrade to Organik is terrific but it isn’t a Klimax DSM 3. Think Majik LP12 (Organik upgrade) vs Klimax LP12 (KDSM3) level of performance difference. The upgrade board is not the guts of a KDSM3 for £5k, only a part of it. The KDSM3 is very special, arguably Linn’s best product since the LP12. Would love to hear your review of a KDSM3!
It will be interesting to learn more about scope of older kdsm ‘Origanik’ upgrade besides Dac like clock circuit, power supply……
Someone at Linn told me they had to stop CD12 production as Phillips stopped production of the laser that the CD12 was designed around.
As I have become accustomed to since subscribing, an excellent review.
The Linn Klimax DSM is a fantastic sounding streamer but how about the Naim NDS555 + Naim 555 DR PS £21,000?
Perhaps I missed it but what amplifier and speakers were you using?
Get a MacBook Air, put your digital music collection on an external drive, buy Audirvana and hook up an high-end DAC via USB connection - while would sound better, this or your Linn Klimax?
perfect review...made me like ,save and subscribe...
Very much a no thanks to any linn products