Linn Forums

kali89 · 2012-08-06, 18:36

So for those of you who read the other thread already i talked to my dad again and he now is really motivated to realize this whole project on some other level Wink

As i wrote before he meanwhile owns 212's, a 226 and two 2250's (good deal).

Now he needs a source and/or amp. My question is would you rather go for the Akurate Kontrol/DS or the Akurate DSM?
He might want to connect his old tuner and a CD-Player to the amp; thats why i was thinking of better getting the pre and streamer seperately.

Pros and Cons of the two options???

Next thing will be to also deliver music to the kitchen, the dining room and the garden.
Best way to go would be Sneakys in every room i guess! any suggestions?
What about the old Roomamps?

And last but not least:
Should I focus on getting him XLR's or normal cinch cables?

Kind regards and thanks for your answers

Axel

samurai7595 · 2012-08-06, 20:47

I did a comparison of my existing Akurate Kontrol/Akurate DS (latest editions) combo to an Akurate DSM and preferred the overall sound of the seperates.

rumnyc · 2012-08-06, 23:46

DSM will win on simplicity (fewer boxes and cables) and features (HDMI). DS+Kontrol probably will have slightly better sound.

stoneaudio · 2012-08-07, 08:59

Hi Axel,

Agreed the seperates will achieve a slightly better sound, provided your father isn't interested in utilising the HDMI connectivity.

What speakers are you thinking of using in the kitchen, the dining room and the garden? I've just been listening to the IW10's running aktiv with a Majik DSM and M6100. Quite incredible sound considering they're in-wall.

I prefer the sound of unbalanced rca/phono with Linn equipment.

Briain · (This post was last modified: 2012-08-07 12:24 by Briain.)

Hi

I'd say it heavily depends on whether it's for a music only system or whether it's to double up as an AV system. The advantage of the DSM range is not only that of HDMI, but that they has S/PDIF and Toslink inputs as well. In other words, that they can be used to do the D/A for other devices which might not necessarily have a great analogue output.

I've never heard the new ADSM and KDSM products, but in my case I'd probably sacrifice a little ultimate DS sound quality for the capability to plug in a sattelite TV box, WDTV box, etc, etc. If there's no intension to hook up AV devices, I'd probably take a different view. I use a MDS-I in my TV room to drive a 2250/D and 212's (but would have bought an ADSM has they been about at the time I set it all up) but I am delighted with my KDS/KK in my main room (in which there is no TV) and wouldn't dream of sacrificing anything in there, no matter how small it was.

Bri Smile

Sondek · 2012-08-07, 13:30

When I auditioned KDS/KK vs. KDSM I did not find the difference small at all (KDS/KK being much better). From what I've been told by people I trust, ADS/AK is also quite a bit better than ADSM, not just a bit. So if you don't necessarily need the additional digital inputs, ADS/AK would be the better choice.

pdcman · 2012-08-07, 16:59

(2012-08-07 13:30)Sondek Wrote: When I auditioned KDS/KK vs. KDSM I did not find the difference small at all (KDS/KK being much better). From what I've been told by people I trust, ADS/AK is also quite a bit better than ADSM, not just a bit. So if you don't necessarily need the additional digital inputs, ADS/AK would be the better choice.

Having compared all options, I agree 100%. The differences are not subtle. The KDSM does not even sound like a KDS, IMHO.

charlie1 · 2012-08-07, 17:09

(2012-08-07 16:59)pdcman Wrote:
(2012-08-07 13:30)Sondek Wrote: When I auditioned KDS/KK vs. KDSM I did not find the difference small at all (KDS/KK being much better). From what I've been told by people I trust, ADS/AK is also quite a bit better than ADSM, not just a bit. So if you don't necessarily need the additional digital inputs, ADS/AK would be the better choice.

Having compared all options, I agree 100%. The differences are not subtle. The KDSM does not even sound like a KDS, IMHO.

I agree as well - they sound very different. I had a bad day at the Tune Dem office, cos I couldn't get past the different presentation and pick the more musical one, despite going back and forth a few times. Maybe at home it would have been different. The system was well setup, but it surprised me cos I thought I'd find it easy, like most source comparisons. Oh well.

Briain · (This post was last modified: 2012-08-07 20:18 by Briain.)

That's a shame, I wonder if it's all down to the HDMI board generating noise as I'd have expected them to be pretty close. I'd be interested in getting my ears round one to hear that for myself.

kali89 · 2012-08-07, 20:38

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I guess the system should be music only! my dad doesnt even have a TV in his living room. Beside of the sound my dad wants to be able to easily control the whole system with his iPad/iPhone and to have Music in the other rooms.

(Besides of the ADS/Kontrol or ADSM question im still not quite sure what to recommend to him about multirooming. can you build up a multi-room system with Sneakys and see the different rooms on your ipad?)

Kind regards
Axel