Hi-Fi: System Profile: Scottish Sorcery LINN – 55

Gary Pearce discovers that LINN make a Good bit of kilt…um, kit!
Any discussion regarding pioneers in the world of hi-fi usually mentions Scottish company Linn in the very first paragraph. This most British of companies (my sincere apologies to any Scottish people reading this) has had plenty of landmarks in the audio world; for instance the ubiquitous LINN Sondek LP12 turntable has been a vinyl lover’s dream machine for well over a quarter of a century, while their legendary Isobarik loudspeaker is still reckoned by some to be the finest moving coil design ever built.

I like LINN’s philosophy when it comes to all things hi-fi. Rather than immediately embracing the digital demon when the compact disc entered our audio vernacular, LINN took its good time and finally entered the market with some of the most spectacular CD and SACD players ever conceived – like the awesome CD12 CD player and Unidisk SACD spinner, for instance.

Now that CD is perhaps an elderly format, LINN’s hard-drive music server-based technology and multi-room connectivity have ensured the company remains in front of the pack.

One of LINN’s most endearing qualities is the length to which its systems can be upgraded. While most hi-fi producers rub their hands together with glee at the first mention of a costly upgrade (new amplifier, CD player, speakers…more, more…) LINN has this base covered with loudspeakers and amplifiers that can easily be turned into high performance active designs, while adding yet more amplifiers and speakers to create a multi-channel system is quite literally a piece of Scottish cake. (Piece of haggis? – Nauseous Ed).

So with this in mind, we were delighted to be invited to LINN’s HQ in Auckland to hear the company’s new Majik system, which had me rediscovering the term ‘entry-level’ as it pertains to hi-fi.

We were met at the door by LINN NZ’s Dean Harnish, who I remember from the old days of Absolute Sound in Newmarket. Back then I used to press my nose against the window and drool longingly at the LP12s, Kaber active loudspeakers and tons of other goodies inside. Gone from the Linn range are the Ikemi and Genki CD players.

Likewise the Kolektor pre-amp and the long serving LK140/85 power amplifiers. These have now been supplanted by the Majik components, and their similarity to Linn’s flagship models is certainly no accident. Much technology has
migrated down from the Chakra and Unidisk products further up the Linn hierarchy, and their patented Switch Mode Power Supply provides exceptional low-noise, peak dynamic power output and pitch accuracy in the Majik system.

And an attractive system it is too. The Majik Kontrol pre-amplifier is well-specified with 6 analogue inputs including MM/MC phono, and an RS232 connection is included – custom-made for home automation. Fully remote-controllable, the Majik Kontrol is also compatible with Linn’s proprietary Knekt Multi-room system via sockets on the rear panel.

The Majik 2100 power amplifier utilises the company’s Chakra amplifier topology – basically a hybrid between a conventional transistor amp and the newer digital or monolithic chip-based amplifiers that are starting to make their presence felt in audio circles. While not particularly powerful on paper at 56wpc into 8ohms, the Majik 2100 will drive any speaker load with imperious ease, without excessive heat or power consumption.

It’s not much use having all this groundbreaking technology without a source component to match, and this is where the Majik CD player steps up to the plate. As with the other Majik components, it too uses Linn’s Switch Mode Power Supply and technology gleaned from the awesome Sondek CD12 to provide real musicality to match the other components in the range, while disc compatibility is exceptional with MP3, CD-R/RW, HDCD and DTS Audio all available through the Majik.

Rounding out the system are the Ninka floor-standing loudspeakers, a medium-sized sealed design with a difference; they can easily be turned into a fully active speaker just by rearranging the reversible-link connection boards on the rear terminal block. Just add the active cards to the Majik 2100 power amplifier and voila! You can even bi-amp or tri-amp in active mode for more control and accuracy.

Once Dean ran us through the technology over a well-made coffee, it was then on to the listening session proper. We played a variety of discs from Barb Jungr’s tight jazz ensemble to hip-hop in the form of John Legend, and I found the Majik system to be an unforced, natural performer that was easy to listen to. I heard no sign of sibilance in Barb’s voice, and certainly LINN’s aim of ‘pitch accuracy’ seemed to be spot on. Instruments were easy to pick out of the recordings, and piano in particularoffered a realistic quality that had me listening with intent.

I’m no fan of hip-hop or modern r’n'b, but the John Legend CD had a touch of class about it, and I can’t think of a performer in this genre who uses a Fender Rhodes piano. This sounded great, and John’s soulful vocals came through with real timbre and emotion, while the bass was characteristically ‘phat’.

I’m a big fan of Steely Dan, and I noticed Dean had their Gaucho album waiting in the wings. I must admit the system sounded very ‘hi-fi’ on this disc, and while the Majik system revealed information I had never heard before, it sounded just a tad dry. I couldn’t get over the previously unheard detail emerging from the CD though, and I pondered what changes would be made by going active. Dean powered the system down and began the changeover – this took all of ten minutes, so it was back to our previous CDs for another listen.

It was night and day! In active mode, the Majik system produced astounding dynamics, and recordings just had so much presence and authority. The bass seemed to reach an octave lower, and all the old hi-fi buzzwords such as ‘sound-staging’ and ‘imaging’ improved out of sight. The slight sterility I noticed during the Steely Dan album had disappeared totally, and we were left with a superb portrayal of the seminal ’80s recording. It was just so beautifully resolved and, well, musical and involving – in effect it seemed to be a complete transformation to what we had heard in passive mode.

It was really impressive, and to my eyes there was no outward sign that the system had changed at all. Of course to go the whole hog and jump into the Majik Active scene isn’t an inexpensive undetaking, but this can take place at a later stage when funds allow. What I like about the Majik system is that the building blocks are there and an already impressive sounding hi-fi can be turned into an outstanding one without having to throw your baby out with the bathwater. It’s a kind of Majik.

Linn Majik System
($22,400 Passive / $28,200 Aktiv):
Majik CD Player
Majik Kontrol Pre
Majik 2100 Power
Ninka Loudspeakers
Contact: linn.co.nz or info@linn.co.nz