PetterS system
Posted: 2021-04-11 19:55
I thought it was time to finally introduce myself after lurking around for almost 4 years in this excellent forum gaining knowledge about “HIFI” and being inspired by the sheer love of music. I’m based in north Sweden. I bought a mid-range LINN system in the early 90s and the only upgrade since was switching from Keilidhs to Ninkas in early 2000. The first years I also had my 80s Thorens turntable hooked up to the Wakonda. In fact, I kind of lost interest in listening to music after streaming took over in the 2nd half of 00. At times I have visited LINN dealers with the intention to invest in a LINN digital streaming setup. Firstly, I did find the price tag intimidating and hard to defend, but secondly and foremost, I wasn’t hooked on the listening experience which I did find somewhat clinical and square. Of course, the vivid rhythm handling and articulation that I did find so attractive when I bought my LINN system was still there, but something was pushing me away.
Being in the classical music arena, both as a performer and a teacher, music listening has more and more become work related. In 2016 I bought a cellular with an inbuilt DAC, the LG6. That was a true revelation. I started to listen to music again just for fun with Spotify and my old Sennheiser HD25. Some 20 years earlier, doing a comparison, it was obvious that my STAX Lambda Signature with the SRM-X amp was head and shoulders above the Sennheisers when connected to the Genki. But now, especially on work travels, I could really enjoy listening to music again with Spotify-LG6-Sennheiser HD25. So, I started googling around and decided to buy an Audioquest Red Dragonfly DAC to my computer setup and I also bought two small Genelec. This made music listening ok in my working space. But, the streaming experience on my main system was still week, using Spotify through a Gramofon connected to my Linn System.
I then bought some Chromecasts and connected them throughout my home. That made music listening easy for the whole family. I still though wasn’t hooked on the sound quality on my main system and once again went to dealer. I was told Spotify was pure garbage and that I desperately needed a Linn Streamer. What stopped me was when I understood that Spotify for the rest of the family wouldn’t be possible on the Linn, since Linn don’t bother with low quality streaming services. I instead bought a Primare NP30 DAC and hooked it up with my old Linn system. It was a clear revival for the streaming and, even the Genki gained. But when I compared at home, I honestly did find Spotify better sounding than lossless Tidal. It even compared well with the Genki which was kind of strange. Tidal felt somewhat sterile and joyless.
The last weeks I made some improvements step by step:
First, I upgraded the network with inspiration from threads in this forum. Forum-recommended switch and cables.
- Clear improvement
Then I bought a Primare NP5. The NP5 I connected to LAN and by LINN digital 75 ohm cable to the NP30 DAC. Streaming with Spotify connect or Chromecast are both available through the NP5. Connect is better.
- Big improvement
Then out with the Wakonda and LK100 switching to a Lejonklou Boazu.
- Almost unbelievable difference to the better, all parameters.
Then switching the Ninka stands to polymer stands.
- Clear improvement
Then switching to LINN silvers instead of black between the NP30 and the Boazu.
- Big improvement
Now awaiting two Lejonklou soldered K400.
My STAX is connected again to the NP5 through a Topping E30 DAC and my old SRM-X. Sounds ok.
Now I’m working on kicking new life in my old Thorens TT who have been silent for 20 years...
Being in the classical music arena, both as a performer and a teacher, music listening has more and more become work related. In 2016 I bought a cellular with an inbuilt DAC, the LG6. That was a true revelation. I started to listen to music again just for fun with Spotify and my old Sennheiser HD25. Some 20 years earlier, doing a comparison, it was obvious that my STAX Lambda Signature with the SRM-X amp was head and shoulders above the Sennheisers when connected to the Genki. But now, especially on work travels, I could really enjoy listening to music again with Spotify-LG6-Sennheiser HD25. So, I started googling around and decided to buy an Audioquest Red Dragonfly DAC to my computer setup and I also bought two small Genelec. This made music listening ok in my working space. But, the streaming experience on my main system was still week, using Spotify through a Gramofon connected to my Linn System.
I then bought some Chromecasts and connected them throughout my home. That made music listening easy for the whole family. I still though wasn’t hooked on the sound quality on my main system and once again went to dealer. I was told Spotify was pure garbage and that I desperately needed a Linn Streamer. What stopped me was when I understood that Spotify for the rest of the family wouldn’t be possible on the Linn, since Linn don’t bother with low quality streaming services. I instead bought a Primare NP30 DAC and hooked it up with my old Linn system. It was a clear revival for the streaming and, even the Genki gained. But when I compared at home, I honestly did find Spotify better sounding than lossless Tidal. It even compared well with the Genki which was kind of strange. Tidal felt somewhat sterile and joyless.
The last weeks I made some improvements step by step:
First, I upgraded the network with inspiration from threads in this forum. Forum-recommended switch and cables.
- Clear improvement
Then I bought a Primare NP5. The NP5 I connected to LAN and by LINN digital 75 ohm cable to the NP30 DAC. Streaming with Spotify connect or Chromecast are both available through the NP5. Connect is better.
- Big improvement
Then out with the Wakonda and LK100 switching to a Lejonklou Boazu.
- Almost unbelievable difference to the better, all parameters.
Then switching the Ninka stands to polymer stands.
- Clear improvement
Then switching to LINN silvers instead of black between the NP30 and the Boazu.
- Big improvement
Now awaiting two Lejonklou soldered K400.
My STAX is connected again to the NP5 through a Topping E30 DAC and my old SRM-X. Sounds ok.
Now I’m working on kicking new life in my old Thorens TT who have been silent for 20 years...