Linn is just awesome- not only for their always forward thinking approach, but also for considering that consumers may be thinking to go forward as well & providing the modular design to do so. A great company.
And again the John Darko video allows a luxury hi-fi product to shine so much more brightly compared to its static press release reprinted on the web and paper.
Linn used to market the AV5103 AV preamp in the early days of 5.1 surround. They advertised it as modular and upgradable but technology progressed too fast to keep, and no modules were released. I wonder what will happen with this one.
Precisely.... I remember my Linn dealer thinking me mad for choosing a Tag McLaren audio AV32R (to support my Linn AV5120, 40,50 Loudspeakers... instead of a Linn AV5103 (even though they sold both) .... But I had my reasons.... and firmware support for advancing codecs was one.....
Will Giani they did update the 5103 to decode DTS on later models, it was a retrofittable upgrade although I don’t think many people bothered. Linn have made several other upgradable products which include he original Majik I/Wakonda, their DS players (both via hardware and firmware updates) and they have offered power supply upgrades on several sources, preamps and power amps... not to mention their range of active filter cards for their speakers, or the LP12 which has countless upgrade options. Now to the Selekt, the power amp and Katalyst modules have been available since the launch of the product. I’ve little found they will offer updated modules as time goes on, it very much follows the Linn business model and helps keep them in business.
Surround sound processing is very difficult to upgrade with companies that do the volume that Linn does. However, their upgrades are mainly software-based and they give you the ability to swap out boards for new DACs, space optimziaiton etc.
I'm really interested to see a 1:1 comparison of the Naim and Linn integrated systems.. Probably the Nova and the Selekt.. For me personally, the Selekt was kind of a let down. 8000+ euros, but I can't say it grabbed me at all. My old vanderVeen valve amp (about 2500 euros) with ND5 XS1 made much more of an impression for me. But again, it really is personal :) I did like the Akurate DSM/3 with Katalyst a lot on my amp though...
Heard this at Melbourne hi-fi show with a pair of KEF R11. Wonderful control, especially bass control. Has anyone compared this with Devialet Expert 220?
I heard two of these side by side recently, one with the standard DAC and the other with the Katalyst DAC. Apart from the DACs the systems were identical. I assumed the difference would be negligible but the improvement was dramatic. I would like one (without amp but with Katalyst) as I love the modular concept and the included phono stage is a nice touch. However, desite it being good, it is still missing lots of features and is too expensive. Shame.
I didn't hear any mention of the excellent Linn streaming service being included. (I listen to it for free on TuneIn, albeit in mp3 format). Also, the device is missing four channels, HDMI I/O and asynchronous USB multichannel input... And you almost have an Oppo... They have great products and, most importantly, great taste. I wish they allowed for more modern technologies to be incorporated at this price point. Keep up the good engineering though. I've never been able to afford your products but I've admired then at trade shows and they're very, very good. Kudos.
I love Linn products and have Linn speakers and amps as my main music Setup. However I just can’t invest in their network streamers because of not being Roon ready, and not supporting mqa. While I’m not necessarily an mqa fan, with tidal and Roon it would be nice to just have the support in any streamer I purchase. At least now there is dsd support which was lacking earlier.
Linn have stated via the Blog section of their website, why they feel MQA is not something they want to get involved with. It makes very interesting reading.
That obtrusive tilting dial would have to be one of the silliest, least intuitive and most eminently breakable navigation interfaces I have ever seen on a piece of electronics.
Per the video title, this is an introduction. I won't comment on sound quality at a store (or hifi show) -- the room and speakers are unknowns and there is no other unit against which the Selekt can be A/B-d. Three reasons why I only do reviews at home.
@@volpedo2000 Incorrect, linn has always been sold by demonstration, against similar priced alternatives. I speak as someone who spent 15 years working for Linn dealers.
Linn is just awesome- not only for their always forward thinking approach, but also for considering that consumers may be thinking to go forward as well & providing the modular design to do so. A great company.
I’m a Glasgow guy and I’m proud of linn hifi but this is off the scale,fantastic,gorgeous piece of kit ,wish I could afford it
Where has this guy's voice been all my life, so reassuring.
Beautiful piece for sure.
And again the John Darko video allows a luxury hi-fi product to shine so much more brightly compared to its static press release reprinted on the web and paper.
And thank YOU for understanding precisely what I am trying to do with this video. Not a review but a pseudo-news announcement.
Linn used to market the AV5103 AV preamp in the early days of 5.1 surround. They advertised it as modular and upgradable but technology progressed too fast to keep, and no modules were released. I wonder what will happen with this one.
Precisely.... I remember my Linn dealer thinking me mad for choosing a Tag McLaren audio AV32R (to support my Linn AV5120, 40,50 Loudspeakers... instead of a Linn AV5103 (even though they sold both) .... But I had my reasons.... and firmware support for advancing codecs was one.....
Will Giani they did update the 5103 to decode DTS on later models, it was a retrofittable upgrade although I don’t think many people bothered.
Linn have made several other upgradable products which include he original Majik I/Wakonda, their DS players (both via hardware and firmware updates) and they have offered power supply upgrades on several sources, preamps and power amps... not to mention their range of active filter cards for their speakers, or the LP12 which has countless upgrade options.
Now to the Selekt, the power amp and Katalyst modules have been available since the launch of the product. I’ve little found they will offer updated modules as time goes on, it very much follows the Linn business model and helps keep them in business.
Surround sound processing is very difficult to upgrade with companies that do the volume that Linn does. However, their upgrades are mainly software-based and they give you the ability to swap out boards for new DACs, space optimziaiton etc.
I'm really interested to see a 1:1 comparison of the Naim and Linn integrated systems.. Probably the Nova and the Selekt.. For me personally, the Selekt was kind of a let down. 8000+ euros, but I can't say it grabbed me at all. My old vanderVeen valve amp (about 2500 euros) with ND5 XS1 made much more of an impression for me. But again, it really is personal :) I did like the Akurate DSM/3 with Katalyst a lot on my amp though...
Heard this at Melbourne hi-fi show with a pair of KEF R11. Wonderful control, especially bass control. Has anyone compared this with Devialet Expert 220?
I heard two of these side by side recently, one with the standard DAC and the other with the Katalyst DAC. Apart from the DACs the systems were identical. I assumed the difference would be negligible but the improvement was dramatic. I would like one (without amp but with Katalyst) as I love the modular concept and the included phono stage is a nice touch. However, desite it being good, it is still missing lots of features and is too expensive. Shame.
I didn't hear any mention of the excellent Linn streaming service being included. (I listen to it for free on TuneIn, albeit in mp3 format).
Also, the device is missing four channels, HDMI I/O and asynchronous USB multichannel input... And you almost have an Oppo...
They have great products and, most importantly, great taste. I wish they allowed for more modern technologies to be incorporated at this price point.
Keep up the good engineering though. I've never been able to afford your products but I've admired then at trade shows and they're very, very good. Kudos.
8035 € ! or Three Naim Uniti Atom's and some high quality speaker cables.
It’s beautiful!
Is it a ripper as well?
Can the lcd screen of Selekt display album cover art?
No built in headphone amp?
They are inspired by Naim unity :)
DARKO RULEZ AS the HIFI MAN"S MAN!
Still waiting for the review! :)
Nice features
I love Linn products and have Linn speakers and amps as my main music Setup. However I just can’t invest in their network streamers because of not being Roon ready, and not supporting mqa. While I’m not necessarily an mqa fan, with tidal and Roon it would be nice to just have the support in any streamer I purchase. At least now there is dsd support which was lacking earlier.
they are roon ready
Linn have stated via the Blog section of their website, why they feel MQA is not something they want to get involved with. It makes very interesting reading.
Why 2 ethernet ports for faster speed?
Exakt links :-)
Very pretty indeed.
That obtrusive tilting dial would have to be one of the silliest, least intuitive and most eminently breakable navigation interfaces I have ever seen on a piece of electronics.
Sales pitch over .. so what does it sound like ... ??
Per the video title, this is an introduction. I won't comment on sound quality at a store (or hifi show) -- the room and speakers are unknowns and there is no other unit against which the Selekt can be A/B-d.
Three reasons why I only do reviews at home.
I would expect it to sound like a Linn product.
@@DarkoAudio looking forward to the review now. This is an object of desire for sure :D
John Darko spot on. Plus Linn doesn’t allow A/B testing in their dealers’ showroom.
@@volpedo2000 Incorrect, linn has always been sold by demonstration, against similar priced alternatives. I speak as someone who spent 15 years working for Linn dealers.
Maybe in house financing should be a thing to lure young folks to buy stuff like this. Of course there are credit cards:)
Shout out for Glasgow :)
Seems extremely overpriced. You could get separates for less. Over $1k for 50wpc class D? smh
Yeah, it´s manufactured in Scottland. They got labour unions and such.
@@duskonanyavarld1786 And your point is?
Says the man who's never heard one.
it's no secret that linn, too high prices, the same competitor naim uniti nova, is cheaper and sounds better, thanks.
Mmm, better buy a Bluesound, for 10% of the price of this overrated Linn!!! The Bluesound i version also gives a CD import and ripping funtion!!!!
Blue sound? What is that?
Test them both side by side then see if you hold the same opinion