Aktiv 242. Same amps vs. different quality amps

[fgarciab]

I have a pair of Akurate 242 currently being drive with my humble LK140+LK100. I have three options to upgrade the electronics:

1.- Go for a 4200 + 6100 with the 4200 in supertweeter and tweeter driving aktiv akurates 242.
2.- Go for 2 x 5100 in aktive.
3.- Two 4200 with the 3K in aktiv and one X200 driving the bass in passive.

First option is slightly more expensive (I have an ex-demo option for a 4200) and I wonder if the 4200 in the tweeter and super-tweeter give a real improvement in an aktiv system.

I have listened to option 2 and I like it quite a lot. I have also listened to a pair of Akurate 242 with a C4200 in passive mode and sound had a lot of body and warmth being at the same time tuneful and enjoyable although I find an aktiv system superior. So I think that if I mixed a C4200 in the highs with a 6100 in aktiv , I might get some more "body" to the music.
Third option, I don´t know if it might work. This would be a mid-step towards a full X200 system when resources allow.

Is it advisable to mix different type of amplifiers in the 3K array and in the aktiv system?.
Does the better amp give a real better performance in the aktive system?

I will match the amplifier with either a Exotic 2-Channels, Exotik multi-channel or a new Majik Pre-amp. What is your recommendation for the preamp?. Is there a difference between the 2-channel and multi-channel Exotiks for stereo?. Is the new Majik pre-amp bettter?.

In the mid-future, source will be an Akurate DS or maybe the Majik DS.

Thank you for your help.

[Charlie1]

Hi fgarciab,
I can't comment on most of this although I'm very interested to hear what others say, especially the Pre Amp.

The only thing I would say is don't go for option 2. I made the mistake of getting a 6100 for my Ninka's and I'm now at a dead end. If you get 2 x 5100 then you'll be in the same boat - you'll have to start from scratch if you ever wish to upgrade in the future.

Is 2 x 3200s and 1 x 4100 an option?

All the best, rgds Charlie.

[fgarciab]

Hi Charlie1,

I think your comment regarding the option 2 has made me think twice as I agree it might be a dead end or at least much more expensive to upgrade afterwards. Nevertheless, it all depends on the difference in quality running aktiv 242 with X100 vs X200 or the value of adding a C4200 with X100 into the mix.

Let's see what the experts say also about the preamplifiers.

Best regards.

[Music Lover]

I have an ex-demo option for a 4200.

Ok, buy that and spend the rest on the source, making the "mid future" Akurate DS a reality now.

For "mid future" upgrade the pre to a Kinos, Kisto or best - a Kontrol
Later on, add chakra amps and go active.

Until you have a great source/pre, a C4200 going to be just fine :D

[ThomasOK]

I can't say how well the the mix of x100s and x200s will work as I haven't tried the combo. I can say that the improvements of the x200 over the x100, which are definitely worthwhile, are quite audible on an Aktiv system just as they are on a passive system. I am a little leery of using different amps on two parts of the array (super tweeter/tweeter and mid) as those three drivers are so closely associated. It is generally better to have any break be between the two bass drivers and the array. My personal tendency would be to go with option three as you are going with the better amps, will have the array Aktiv (which is the more important part), will still have quite good bass with 2 channels of Chakra x200 power driving them and will be able to add a 2200 in the future to go full Aktiv. This also means you can make the upgrade to full Aktiv with a minimum of fuss and equipment changes. And to upgrade beyond the x200s would require Klimax amps and crossovers which would be a much more expensive undertaking.

As to the preamp, all Exotiks are multi-channel. The Exotik was designed as an analog 5.1 channel preamp from day one. They all have a 5.1 channel input and a 7.1 channel output although the other 2 channels only work if a digital board is present. Any Exotic can be configured as a stereo unit or as multi-channel. Later Ekotiks (referred to by Linn as the New Exotik - a thoroughly confusing name) included a DAC board for decoding Dolby Digital, DTS and Pro, Logic II including the 7.1 channel formats and a quite good MM/MC phono stage. Both the DAC board and the phono stage are available as an upgrade to original Exotiks. The Akurate Kontrol is just a New Exotik (including all the goodies) with a new faceplate and setup as a stereo unit as a default. It was renamed to fit in with Linn's new naming convention and because the extended delays of the DAC board gave the original Exotik a bad name - calling it the Akurate Kontrol gave it a new lease on life.

PS. I intended to post this last Saturday but got sidetracked (read: had to go to work) and found this morning that I still hadn't finished and posted it.

[lejonklou]

I'd like to add that all Exotiks I have listened to have sounded better than Majik Kontrol (which is an analogue Exotik PLUS phono stage MINUS the 5.1 channel configuration option AND with a less expensive power supply).

To complicate things a little, some reports indicate that the very first Exotik units that were sent out did not sound as good as they did a couple of months later. The first ones might very well sound a little worse than the current Majik Kontrol - which shouldn't be too surprising, as Linn continually make small improvements to their products. I have not heard any of these early Exotiks myself, but I mention it because it comes from reliable sources.

[anthony]

I agree with Thomas, I would :-
1/ drive them passive with a 4200
2/ aktiv 6100 on the array and 4200 on bass, don't opt for half passive/aktiv and dont mix amps on the array.

I have tried various options and prefer a klimax twin or solos passive
or all 200 amps aktiv

[Music Lover]

I have tried various options and prefer a klimax twin or solos passive or all 200 amps aktiv

Would be interesting if you can elaborate on the differences.

[fgarciab]

Thanks all for the advice.

I understand the rationality of working with the same amp on the 3K array BUT Linn recommends just the opposite. Linn says that a C4200 should go to the supertweeter and the tweeter and a possible C6100 in the mid and bass. Anthony says the C4200 should drive the bass. Did you have the opportunity to compare both aktiv schemes?.

Klimax twin with the Akurates?. I have been told by my local dealer that the Twin is not able to drive the Akurates to the max but a C4200 feels more comfortable with the speakers.

To go aktiv with all X200 is pretty expensive so may be a Klimax Twin (Ex-Demo) driving the 3K array and a C4200 the bass could also be a good combination although in passive.

In any case, I have just made a reserve for one C4200 and an Exotik to drive the Akurates. I hope to enjoy it for a while as I am already overbudget.

By the way, can I use the DAC in the Exotik (I would have to go for the upgrade) with an stereo source like my mac computer with a digital connection?.

[rowlandhills]

In any case, I have just made a reserve for one C4200 and an Exotik to drive the Akurates. I hope to enjoy it for a while as I am already overbudget.

By the way, can I use the DAC in the Exotik (I would have to go for the upgrade) with an stereo source like my mac computer with a digital connection?.

Bear in mind that the DAC upgrade is quote expensive. I was quoted £1400 GBP recently, so you might be better off trying to get an Exotik+DA ("New Exotik") or Akurate instead.

[warrengday]

If you can, amp sockets permitting, quinwire first. It makes a huge difference.

A much bigger upgrade than multiamping in my experience. For me it was like buying my 242s all over again.

I've not heard 242s active yet. I'm looking forward to it.