Linn DS general impressions from this forum.

[Loke]

This "Dealer Point of View" does not work everywhere...where I live I can`t get a dealer to install for me, as he has to travel at least 600km in order to help me out.

Speaking in general...after working for two decades with tech stuff and software:

When you buy a new component...in my opinion it should not be dependant on support or dealers at all. This has become a major irritation factor at work...I can`t do anything without calling someone. When that happens in a stormy north sea where one often loose communications, you`re had!

Same thing buying a stereo component and living 600km from the dealer. Things not working out of the box should not be sold to anyone anywhere, this approach is a total failure...but is unfortunately the facts.

I think the whole electronics industry in general needs to re-think the way they do things. Seriously.

(I accept having to upgrade S/W and such later on of course).

A positive thingie (not in general but regarding the DS):

Right now I can easily access the Qnap server from a XP computer, and make fast file transfers with Filezilla. That does not work from my Vista PC.

Here come the fun stuff: LinnGUI works perfect from my Vista PC which suits me perfectly. It works even if I have no sharing enabled. Guess LinnGUI is working on a quite low layer in the communication stack. Allowing it to pass through my firewall also helps of course

[manicm]

Occam, I absolutely disagree with you here. By releasing a product DS, Linn is now ABSOLUTELY (no pun intended) in the software business, whether they like it or not, they are now playing in this space Open-source or not, why release a half-baked solution like LinnGUI and it's associated configuration tools? As a premium hi-fi manufacturer Linn should know better than making half-hearted attempts like this.

Linn deliberately decided to go open-source, and there's nothing wrong with that per se, but I think dogma has crept into their decision.

From what I've read and heard the Sonos is improved in everyway, especially their wireless performance. Don't get me wrong it will never be as good as a wired solution, but it seems they have delivered an excellent new version, for what the product is and its target market. And I will gracefully disagree with you on their operational model, I still think it's light years ahead of Linn.

By playing in the digital domain Linn has to grasp the concept of delivering a complete solution, which I don't think they're doing with their DS products yet.

But I will never doubt that the second-generation DS products will be a true revelation. We all learn from our mistakes.

[occam]

manicm Wrote:Occam, I absolutely disagree with you here.

Dear Manicm: FYI, you do not quote me, and I'm not sure you're replying to a specific post I wrote. For instance, I don't discuss Sonos. Please doublecheck. (Thanks.)

[majik]

As I have stated already I feel like my Klimax DS is like a Ferrari with a broken steering wheel. It sounds great but the control is currently very poor.

I also use Sonos alongside that is very very usable, both the GUI and hand held controllers which all the family are happy to use. In addition I have had real problems with networking for the DS which is now improved but about half the time it seems to lose sight of the DS/my music library - I will get my (Elite) dealer back to try and fix but this does not seem to be their core skill.

When the system works it sounds fantastic, but is severely compromised by the GUI/being somewhat unreliable. No doubt we will all be delighted when this stuff gets fixed, in the meantime I think the hardware has been released prematurely without the appropriate software which is essential for this kit to be useable. I am a big fan of Linn gear and have it Knekted throughout many rooms, but feel they need to listen to some of the criticism if they want the DS range to be more widely successful, appeal to more than a narrow group of technically savvy people who don't mind tinkering a lot.

[Highlander]

I've said this before. I bought my Akurate DS back in March. I also bought the Linn recommended NAS (Ready NAS NV+), a second hand Samsung Q1, & the linn recommended switch & wireless gizmo.
I am not an IT professional. I know little or nothing about networks. I installed the whole lot by following the Linn installation instructions to the letter. It took me 2 hrs.

The ADS has worked flawlessly & 100% (and I do mean 100%) reliably ever since.

Draw your own conclusions.

Chris

[Spencer The Rover]

Highlander Wrote:I've said this before. I bought my Akurate DS back in March. I also bought the Linn recommended NAS (Ready NAS NV+), a second hand Samsung Q1, & the linn recommended switch & wireless gizmo.
I am not an IT professional. I know little or nothing about networks. I installed the whole lot by following the Linn installation instructions to the letter. It took me 2 hrs.

The ADS has worked flawlessly & 100% (and I do mean 100%) reliably ever since.

Draw your own conclusions.

Chris

Maybe I'm just easily pleased.

I bought a QNAP NAS with Twonky pre loaded before my DS and then converted my WAVs used by my previous streamer (a Roku) to FLACs in readiness.

When the DS was plugged into my network it just worked. I use EAC configured from the Linn supplied config file. It rips CDs fine. The DS sounds great. I use Cidero to control it from a linux eeePC. Not that I do much controlling, I just set a playlist going at the start of an evening and switch off at bedtime.

I am not interested in what it doesn't work with or what it will not play or what it has not got or what it will not do.

I can switch it on, make it play my music better than ever before and switch it off.

I draw the same conclusion as Highlander