I have been unable to find much written about the Linn Kinos, I have a Linn Unidisk SC and am planning to upgrade to a unit which can handle the new hd formats. I expect Linn will be some time in coming out with HDMI so the best solution seems to opt for one of their higher end processors which have the 5.1 analog inputs and let the bluray player decode the hd audio. Can anyone comment on their experiences with the kinos or kisto in this type role? I have considered just using the unidisk sc with the downmix(?) from the bluray but I have had some issues with the drive and there is a Linn promotion pushing me in the upgrade direction.
Thanks.

I would recommend treading lightly and slowly as I don't think it makes sense for anyone to buy any preamp that doesn't handle HDMI 1.3 for any reason (except maybe used). if you must have a Linn, I'd definitely get it used, hang out, see what develops. What Linn promotion? To get what? What do you mean by using the unidisk with blu ray?

Linn has a trade-in promotion going right now where you can trade-in and then get an additional 10% off any new product. I would agree that you should step back and really consider what your goals are. I have talked with Linn and I do not see them doing any HDMI audio processing, much less the new formats, any time in the near future. Both the Kinos and the Kistos are both great choices and will still offer great results. They will be a huge step up from the unidisk SC.

I would not discourage you from considering the Linn promotion, but I would make sure that you are upgrading with realistic expectations and not thinking that Linn is going to magically release HDMI HD audio.

-Matt

10% seems like a pretty mediocre trade up special. 'Course, I'm not a Linn fan (to be kind), much prefer Meridian for quirky British stuff (or Cambridge or Arcam), if you have to have quirky British stuff. Set up a Linn system for a customer, even tore a few pieces open. Lots of pixie dust, not much at all in the way of parts quality or capability. That's why I say be really, REALLY cautious.

Well sometimes dealers can be a little picky where its either one or the other. They can either trade-in the piece and then pay retail or take a discount on the new piece and then not give them a trade-in option. The promo definitely eliminates that worry. In a way, you can double dip by getting a discount as well as getting trade-in value for your old piece of equipment. It is no tremendous blow-out sale, but it is a nice way to upgrade and save some money on new equipment.

A Linn guy is a Linn guy. Plain and simple. Those who aren't, clearly aren't.

-Matt

The Church of Linntology? :)

Lots of pixie dust, not much at all in the way of parts quality or capability. That's why I say be really, REALLY cautious.

None actually, its all based on sound engineering principles, they employ some of the smartest a/v engineers in the industry. Talk to em, meet some of them, you'll quickly come to realize there's no trickery afoot.

As far as internal build quality, as someone who's seen plenty of Linn gear with the top off (going all the way back to the LK1 and Isobariks, I don't even know how one could make such an statement.

Capability? if by that you mean a lack of things like jazz and stadium DPS settings, your right and thankfully so.

The Church of Linntology? :)

Or perhaps Meridiantology, Cambridgetology or Arcamtology? :D

I love Linn speakers and am a long time user but for receivers and processors i have always found Arcam to have the upper hand in terms of SQ. I use 2 AVR350s, which is still unsurpassed for SQ by any receiver, and an AV9.

None actually, its all based on sound engineering principles, they employ some of the smartest a/v engineers in the industry. Talk to em, meet some of them, you'll quickly come to realize there's no trickery afoot.

Well, I am only an OT Level 3, so I don't know anything about Thetans.......

As far as internal build quality, as someone who's seen plenty of Linn gear with the top off (going all the way back to the LK1 and Isobariks, I don't even know how one could make such an statement.

Another glass of Kool-Aid, you finished that one pretty fast ;)

Capability? if by that you mean a lack of things like jazz and stadium DPS settings, your right and thankfully so.

Nah, thinking more like HDMI 1.3a, high rez audio, room correction, good power supplies, good remotes, real power output, stuff like that.

I love Linn speakers and am a long time user

Huh, never would have figured. Speakers are okay, one other possibility in a sea of them, though, as most European speakers here, not a terribly great value and requiring a whole lot of expensive multi-amping to get the performance from them.

Huh, never would have figured. Speakers are okay, one other possibility in a sea of them, though, as most European speakers here, not a terribly great value and requiring a whole lot of expensive multi-amping to get the performance from them.

Only for the small systems. I think they are way outclassed at the bigger end.

I was lucky enough to have a friend bring me a full 7.1 set of Komponent (minus the sub, which is utter crap) from Europe for only $4k. MSRP here was way over that. Its a cool set for my apartment and marries up well with an AVR350. All solid metal construction which is amazing for the price.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/completesystems/306linn/index1.html

If you want European, I feel Arcam are better but dont do speakers

Ah, kinda like when I go to church for a free dinner ;)

Actually, for the OP, no BS? If you really want to stay all Linn and see a trade in opporunity, trade in your current units towards stuff that is reasonably future proof, like amps or speakers, get something like an NAD T175, a Panasonic 50 BD player and "slum it" for awhile until Linn catches up. They will eventually. In the meantime, you won't be behind.

Coldmachine, I would agree that it definitely has an accuracy in which is very good at their lower-end, (komponent, katan, ninka, espek.) Pairing their speakers with their components is essential and cannot be done any other way. When done correctly, they are very accurate and provide a pretty good soundstage.

Their engineers are really, really smart and do practice a lot of audio/acoustics theory. How nice everything would be if all went according to theory!

-Matt

Pairing their speakers with their components is essential and cannot be done any other way.

you don't see this as a huge warning sign, either from a design or marketing standpoint? Properly designed speakers are brand neutral.

When done correctly, they are very accurate and provide a pretty good soundstage.

Eh. We replaced a whole "properly done" $25K Linn triamped Espek system with a $6K Xd system and the guy never looked back.

Don't get me wrong, there are people that genuinely like Linn, but they really hold no unique secrets in the audio industry and seem to promote their brand as religion masquerading as science. If you start to believe you need to have Linn rather than whatever piece of gear gives you the technology and features you actually need, you're falling into their marketing trap, as it would be with *any* company that you might believe holds all the secrets.

One of the best speakers I've heard in the past were the diminutive Linn Sara playing chamber music.

Pairing their speakers with their components is essential and cannot be done any other way.

My Komponenets are driven by an Arcam AVR350 with no problems at all.

Eh. We replaced a whole "properly done" $25K Linn triamped Espek system with a $6K Xd system and the guy never looked back.

Not making any judgement, but I am not surprised with that.

My Komponenets are driven by an Arcam AVR350 with no problems at all.

I have had unique experiences with the Komponents and I feel they are a bit different than the typical Linn product. Again, I am not here to make judgements against anybody, but there is a definitely a following with most Linn owners.

-Matt

Appreciate the input.
I have been pleased with the sound quality of the Linn preamp portion of the unidisk. However as a CD player I always preferred my Naim CDX2 to the sound of a CD through the unidisk SC. Having the player and the preamp in one box initially seemed like an appealing idea for a no fuss HT, now as things have evolved I am encountering limitations that would not exist had I bought a preamp with 5.1 analog inputs. All in all, I have been pleased with the gear from Linn I just questioned whether at the present, their higher end (read: really a good bit more expensive) preamps/processors were a wise move given that they are "behind" with the cutting edge digital processing. I am learning that if you try always buy a cutting edge unit you may never actually buy anything but always be waiting for the latest and greatest.
Seems to me the best move is to buy a unit that performs at an excellent level that suits your taste and your wallet and not look back.

I have had unique experiences with the Komponents and I feel they are a bit different than the typical Linn product.
-Matt

I don't know if you mean good or bad experiences, or in what way they are different, but in my case I've found them to be a really great apartment/small HT set up that deliver fantastic performance for the price.

They marry well with the Arcam AVR350. As a bonus their aesthetics are tailor made for modern minimalist styling too. Ive not come across units at that price have extruded metal cabinets either. No competition for my Genelec 324As but great for their purpose.

I don't know if you mean good or bad experiences, or in what way they are different, but in my case I've found them to be a really great apartment/small HT set up that deliver fantastic performance for the price... As a bonus their aesthetics are tailor made for modern minimalist styling too. Ive not come across units at that price have extruded metal cabinets either.

Just from my listening with them as well as a couple installs I have done with them, I just do not feel like they have the typical "Linn" sound to them. That is neither a good or bad thing. I would agree though that the build of them as well as aesthetics is something that I really like.

-Matt

I have information that the linn will not be able to process the analog 5.1 input from the bluray (e.g. DTS-MA) and create a phantom center (something I was planning as my wilson Maxx 2 s sit on either side of a fireplace). I suppose I can just skip the new format and send the DD optical or coaxial signal to the linn and not have the high rez format... or brick up the fireplace and buy a wilson center channel.

To be honest, I could not justify going with Maxx 2's and (presumably) Wilson surrounds and then just phantom the center. Given the investment that would be needed for either a Kinos or Kistos, I just dont really see the performance purpose of not going that extra mile. Not to be too subjective, but are you doing this or are you DOING THIS? From my perspective, I would evaluate if bricking in a watch channel would be reasonable. It sure seems that would make sense for the system. Now if it fits your lifestyle or living needs... that I do not know.

-Matt

The BD player should be able to create a phantom image and then the Linn piece would work as basically a volume control.

I just wanted to let you know, that you now have until the end of March to decide on the upgrade. The trade-in promotion is going through March 31st now.

Just FYI I upgraded from a Unidisk SC to the Kinos and the difference is *huge*. I'm more of an audiophile than a videophile so the key thing for me was the analog pre-amp section, which is stunning. One of the few controllers with a true audiophile grade pre-amp that can do bass redirect in analog (most do just stereo pass-thru or convert the analog to digital).

Switching the Unidisk SC to fixed output mode and using the Kinos as a pre-amp was one of the biggest single leaps in performance I have experienced in my system.

Additionally the surround processing including Dolby Digital, DTS and Pro Logic II simply outclasses the Unidisk SC. You also have selectable bass redirect frequencies from 40Hz to 120Hz, not to mention 7.1 capability (Dolby EX and DTS ES Discreet etc), fantastic component video switching and a much more flexible UI for setup etc.

One big improvement was the Unidisk SC used to get confused with sources that switch between Dolby Digital and PCM with or without Pro Logic II (cable box, digital tuner etc) - maybe this was fixed in later SC software, not sure. The Kinos copes with anything you throw at it and just remembers your last pref for each stream.

Lack of HDMI is not an issue. I use component switching for most devices and just run HDMI direct to the display for others (ie. Bluray)

In actual fact I'm selling my Kinos. Why may you ask? Only to upgrade to the big brother of the Kinos, the Kisto. Yes my wife is going to have me locked up, but I'll have some fun in the mean time. If anyone is interested let me know via a private message.

Garner.