New Linn Launch 2022

[Matteo]

For the new Koil cartridge, Linn recommends a capacitance of 100 nF; the internal MC board of the ADSM/3 has a fixed capacitance of 180 nF

[champton90]

So Linn now has two MC cartridges that have an output of 0.45mV which exceeds (slightly) the maximum recommended 0.4mV input of Entity. I have an Entity 1.1 which I love, so does that pose a problem if I decided to upgrade my Krystal to a Kendo down the road?

[Matteo]

Does the new Arko tonearm come with the grey T-Kable?

[lejonklou]

So Linn now has two MC cartridges that have an output of 0.45mV which exceeds (slightly) the maximum recommended 0.4mV input of Entity. I have an Entity 1.1 which I love, so does that pose a problem if I decided to upgrade my Krystal to a Kendo down the road?

SINGularity and Entity will likely be difficult to overload with a nominal level of 0.45 mV.

With 0.4 mV of input, there’s still a small margin left when the loudest recording of high treble that I managed to find was tested. I think 0.45 mV will pass below just barely. This is with an extreme record. In practice, I believe very few records with music will be near that level.

So I think you’ll be fine.

[ThomasOK]

So Linn now has two MC cartridges that have an output of 0.45mV which exceeds (slightly) the maximum recommended 0.4mV input of Entity. I have an Entity 1.1 which I love, so does that pose a problem if I decided to upgrade my Krystal to a Kendo down the road?

SINGularity and Entity will likely be difficult to overload with a nominal level of 0.45 mV.

With 0.4 mV of input, there’s still a small margin left when the loudest recording of high treble that I managed to find was tested. I think 0.45 mV will pass below just barely. This is with an extreme record. In practice, I believe very few records with music will be near that level.

So I think you’ll be fine.

I have the Ekstatik with SINGularity and I have customers using Ekstatik with Entity, nobody is having any problems with levels. To be honest I'm not so sure about those "nominal" specs anyway. When I installed my Ekstatik the first thing I noticed was that it sounded a little quieter than the Kandid it replaced and I was turning it up a little. A couple of customers have reported the same finding so I'm not sure the Ekstatik actually has higher output than the Kandid. When the SINGularity first came out I did confirm for Fredrik that the Kandid wouldn't overload it by using the highest levels cut on a few test records without any clipping of the SINGularity. So I don't think there is anything to worry about.

[ThomasOK]

For the new Koil cartridge, Linn recommends a capacitance of 100 nF; the internal MC board of the ADSM/3 has a fixed capacitance of 180 nF

Actually it has a fixed capacitance of 10nF, as do the Lejonklou phono stages, which should be a good loading. The 180 spec on the ADSM is the load impedance which is ideal for the Krystal and likely should be OK for the Koil, although it may not be the absolute optimum.

[lejonklou]

Is the output level of Ekstatik and Kendo measured at 5 cm/s or 3.54 cm/s?

[Tendaberry]

Is the output level of Ekstatik and Kendo measured at 5 cm/s or 3.54 cm/s?

The specs are given for 3,54 cm/s, so the values will we higher at 5 cm/s.

[lejonklou]

Thanks! When Thomas said he found Ekstatik sounding less loud than Kandid, although the numbers indicate the opposite, I thought they might have changed to specify at 5 cm/s. That would explain the experience.

[Charlie1]

Clip below with new Koil and new K20. The K20 is musically stiff compared to before as I tried that first but hopefully it will loosen up soon. Koil is already much better than the Goldring Troika rebuild. I also suspect the Wakonda MC stage needs to run in as the original buyer sold it as an MM-only pre-amp. Hopefully it will all improve over the next few weeks.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8e4i6mxp7xuv1 ... 0.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cybwk297i9ruk ... 4.mp4?dl=0

I feel that my Kans need an MC otherwise they make a meal of any distortion and sound a bit ragged. Whereas, the Briks are fine even with Valhalla/Ittok/VM95E.

[Matteo]

Clip below with new Koil and new K20. The K20 is musically stiff compared to before as I tried that first but hopefully it will loosen up soon. Koil is already much better than the Goldring Troika rebuild. I also suspect the Wakonda MC stage needs to run in as the original buyer sold it as an MM-only pre-amp. Hopefully it will all improve over the next few weeks.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8e4i6mxp7xuv1 ... 0.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cybwk297i9ruk ... 4.mp4?dl=0

I feel that my Kans need an MC otherwise they make a meal of any distortion and sound a bit ragged. Whereas, the Briks are fine even with Valhalla/Ittok/VM95E.

Very enjoyable clips

Thanks Charlie1

M

[Charlie1]

Cheers Matteo!

[tokenbrit]

Lagging a bit sonically but there's certainly a sense of musicality - the drum(s) in particular sounds a bit stiff and one-note for now; hopefully will catch up with the rest of the band soon. Can enjoy the music, and hear the potential in these clips - keep 'em coming :)

[ThomasOK]

Interesting clips, reliably Charlie1 classic rock. Desperado sounds a little muffled to me and I hear what tokenbrit means about the drums. I liked Year of the Cat better (used to use that for demo all the time) but it did sound like the piano was trying to keep up with itself in the intro. Definitely showing some potential and I look forwarding to hearing how this all settles in.

[Charlie1]

Useful feedback - tx gents!

I figured if I was running in the cartridge then I might as well run in the cable but will return to the normal one for future clips.

[tokenbrit]

I hear what Thomas means about Desperado sounding a little muffled - wondered if that was the recording rather than the system... :?

Interested in more clips with the previous K20 (what was wrong with it?) You know what they say about changing just 1 thing at a time... yes I know you need to change phono with the switch to Moving Koil ;)

[Charlie1]

I had another pair of 5m runs doing nothing so got them fitted with Naim right angle speaker connectors. This enables me to use older Kans with sticky out terminals. I do have a pair already but they are not making the cut - was easy to compare them to my regular pair.

But yeah, will go back to the regular K20 for next clips.

However, I've got a pair of Class A serviced Kairns coming tomorrow (first and last PSU versions), so not sure the Wakonda will still be there by then. Doh!

I think you're both right about the Eagles track. It is a warm and slightly shut in recording but the system is also like that, so a bit of both. Most of the system dates back about 30 years and things have become a lot more open / clearer over the decades.

[tokenbrit]

.. I've got a pair of Class A serviced Kairns coming tomorrow (first and last PSU versions), so not sure the Wakonda will still be there by then...

I've compared Wakonda with Kairn, probably with Karik rather than LP12... yeah, I doubt the Wakonda will still be there by then ;)
Both Kairns each with phono stage? Curious whether Linn expected many to use Koil in combo with Kairn :)

[Charlie1]

Both Kairns each with phono stage? Curious whether Linn expected many to use Koil in combo with Kairn :)

Yep, neither is the Pro. I was planning to borrow an Entity from my dealer and home dem that once the Koil was run in. But like you say, defo not voiced for LK amps :)

I think yourself and Tom are also right in that some of the warmth from the Koil. When I initially swapped over the decks I didn't think the Koil deck was any warmer sounding but listening back to Adikt clips, there is a coarseness (with Kans) that helps counteract it. Whereas the Koil is very smooth in comparison and there's nowhere for the warm balance to hide. The Troika was the best balance but didn't quite work out musically for me, so having to use modern cartridges with vintage gear is challenge.

I've been happy to accept a warm balance (to some extent), if that's the price for enjoying Kans and an older LP12, but we'll see how it goes. I know the accepted view here is to just use the most musical gear and the balance will sort itself out, but with vintage (less neutral) equipment I find there is a balancing act involved. I could have just carried on with the Adikt deck and left things alone but you know me (by now)! :D

[Charlie1]

Put back the normal K20 as it was bothering me.

Bass the same or any better?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/va1w7vorx7kbd ... 8.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y36z4a06zly3y ... 1.mp4?dl=0

Kairns arriving tomorrow now so still Wakonda.

[tokenbrit]

Put back the normal K20 as it was bothering me.

Bass the same or any better?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/va1w7vorx7kbd ... 8.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y36z4a06zly3y ... 1.mp4?dl=0

Kairns arriving tomorrow now so still Wakonda.

Bass in Desperado is certainly better tonally - sounds like a drum now rather than a plastic tub...
I didn't compare to the previous clip, but maybe a little better musically too, just muffled, unlike the other clip, so must be the vinyl.

[ThomasOK]

I also didn't compare to the previous clips but I do find both clips better than my memory of the older ones. The piano on Year of the Cat is much better timed. The drums on Desperado are as well and it sounds a little less muffled but still muffled. Definitely a step in the right direction.

[Tony Tune-age]

After listening to both sets of clips, the K20 cable does seem to have better bass on the Eagles song and perhaps a little better sounding overall. Also, the Al Stewart song is a little more natural and realistic sounding with the K20 cable (better vocals and piano).

[Charlie1]

Thanks for the feedback gents!

[matthias]

I am curious, did someone compare the current K200 to K20?
Thanks