Linn Forums

I'm looking at possibly changing my 2 x C4200 for a 4 x Klimax Twins.

My 4200's drive Artikulat 350Ps and the intention is to go Aktiv.

I'm trying to sketch it all out at the moment, but an item i'm not clear on when comparing Aktiv config with Aktiv Config is the TuneBox.

Can anybody tell me a little bit about them? ...the Linn website is not so clear...

....do these take the standard Aktiv Cards that would otherwise fit into my C4200's, are they made specifically for a the speakers they are to be used with, or are they a dealer configurable item that?

....struggling to find a UK cost for them, so if anybody knows it would save me a phone call....i suspect they are not cheap!

....finally - i'd love to hear from anybody that has the same (or similar) configuration, as to what i can expect. An option is to run the passive for a while, so interested if anybody has experience of the benefits of this just from Akurate to Klimax Power Amps.

A Tunebox was a box that you could house various aktiv cards in with its own power supply as opposed to putting the cards in the amps. I have not heard of them being available for Artikulates.

The Klimax crossover's are available for Artikulates, and are specific crossovers housed in Klimax boxes so they match Twins/Solos/KK etc. You can not swap the crossovers i.e. you buy a set for your specific speaker.

I believe the price for Komri Klimax crossovers is under £10K and for Artikulates just under £9K but I could be wrong on this. They are a massive improvement to any system as long as the source etc is all correct.

If you were to go along the route of Klimax crossovers driving Artikulates with 4 Twins, you are at the point where it would be very difficult to go any further without spending a lot of money (replacing 4 Twins with 8 Solos).

The Klimax filters are unique for each speaker, tuneboxes were used late 80s/early 90s, after that cards were installed in the amps.

NOTE you can buy chakra filters for Artikulats (to be installed in your 4200s), but Klimax filter going to be a LOT better and with these you can use ANY power amp.
So if you intend using Twin/Solo, Klimax filters is required.

Start getting the Klimax filters as that is a massive upgrade - then upgrade the amps one by one.
Not going to be surprised if Klimax filters/4200/350P is better than 350A.
And with Twins, hehe

fyi, after the KK upgrade, I'm getting the Klimax filters!

Artikulate Tunebox filters are £4K each and to upgrade them to Klimax 350 is another £2K (per box, I assume)

The Klimax upgrade for 350P is £3950.

On this basis, I'd be considering an upgrade to Klimax spec and then getting Klimax tuneboxes.

'troll

Thanks ML, Flatcoat and Troll....

...my fault for using old terminology by calling it a tunebox - but the component i'm referring to is this....

http://www.linn.co.uk/klimax_aktiv_crossover#

...which seems to be a stand alone configurable unit, rather than being a series of filters installed in the Amps Case.

I think from what you're saying, the only way to go Aktiv with Klimax Power Amps is to use one of these, and there is no way to install the (Klimax OR Chakra) filters in the Twin?

Judging by the prices you indicate - i suspect the Klimax Aktiv Crossover may well be excluded from Linn's annual Aktiv Crossover giveaway!

I DO like the idea of doing this - but it does start me down the path of Klimax Exectronics (as opposed to Akurate Electronics with Klimax speakers - as i have now) and there lies a significant commitment!

I especially like the way the Twins (and the KAC) can be wall mounted near the speakers, so i could use a long single balanced connection to them from the pre, instead of trailing 8 core speaker cable across the floor from my rack to the speaker...

...I've been reading the views of the KK with interest and some envy - but am struggling to get my head around the complications that removing the multichannel Kisto from my system would bring, and the need to use external processors etc....

BTW - the upgrade of my speakers from Artikulat to Klimax is already budgetted, so whatever i do - it will be with these (much) improved speakers.

The Klimax Tunebox for the passive Artikulat 350 has been discontinued and replaced with one that is designed for the Klimax 350.

It was felt that the upgrade kit for the speakers was better value and yielded a bigger performance increase to customers with passive Artikulat 350 than a tunebox that costs them more.

So the upgrade path is now:

1. Upgrade the Artikulat 350 to Klimax 350
2. Add a Klimax tunebox for Klimax 350
3. Upgrade the power amps to Klimax Twins, (or better still Solos)
   

It should be noted that using a Klimax Tunebox for Klimax 350 with a pair of out of the box spec Artikulat 350s will not give a performance increase. Infact it is more likely to degrade the performance, as it was designed for use with the other changes in the system. (new servo control boards and 3K array)

As stated by Flatcoat, the Klimax tuneboxes are "...specific crossovers housed in Klimax boxes so they match Twins/Solos/KK etc. You can not swap the crossovers i.e. you buy a set for your specific speaker."

There is an upgrade kit for customers who already have the Artikulat 350 tunebox, and the Recommended Retail Price is £2k to upgrade a pair of Tuneboxes.

Regards

Dan.

[quote=MattC]

...I've been reading the views of the KK with interest and some envy - but am struggling to get my head around the complications that removing the multichannel Kisto from my system would bring, and the need to use external processors etc....

You would not need to remove the Kisto, the kk can be integrated into the system, where by using the unity gain facility, the kk will be responsible for front left and right channels, and the Kisto will still operate the centre and rear channels in surround mode.

Thanks - i did suspect i could perhaps do that, but as the kisto would form a significant portion of the funding to get to the KK - and especially as i am 90% music to 10% movies/tv - then i'd probably be looking at an integrated AV amp with HDMI switching and the high res format processing; like the one Arcam have just brought out...and use unity gain with the KK for that...

Thanks - thats a really useful summary.

The upgrade of my Artikulats to Klimax spec would form a part of the program - although i have to say that at £8k a pair for the Tuneboxes (Glad you still use that name, much better than "Klimax Active Crossover" [KAC]...!!) i will probably look to run them passive for a while....and that way i have something to aspire to and save for!!

...i'd expect the price to be more for the better crossovers, but the difference between the Chakra crossovers (£800...or free during the summer promotion) and the Klimax crossovers (£8000) is big by any standards...

I use a KK with a 5103 which works extremely well with Sky HD and my PS3. A good 5103 would only cost you around £500 these days and I consider it to be one of the most versatile products Linn have ever made. However, it does not have HDMI switching.

One other thought about Klimax Filters/crossovers is that the value of them rocket downwards if Linn stop making the speakers for them eg Kelteks.