What to do with my old Linn?
Discussion
Ages ago I bought some Linn hifi stuff. I'm not a multi-millionaire but at the time I felt like I needed to get into decent hifi and it turns out I used to work with the son of the guy that started Linn (he now runs it).
So I got in touch with him and he pointed out we barely knew each other at work but based on a good mutual friend we had in common he gave me Linn staff 'friends and family' discount - rather than proper mate's rates. But obviously I was more than happy with that. I think it was 20-25% off.
Due to life getting in the way (divorce...) I've been without it for 5 yrs. And last time it was used (In the marital home) it was 'piped' into Sonos via the 'connect' thingy.
Today I finally got all my old bits and bobs back. So I now find myself with:
Linn Majik Amp
Linn Ikemi CD player
Linn Katan Speakers - bi-wired - with nice floor stands.
(suspiciously the remotes aren't there, but a quick Google indicates they're not hard to source)
So I am pondering what to do with it.
At home we mostly consume music via various amazon echo thingies. And there is an v. old (first gen I think) Sonos in the house. So no music snob - just want convenience of streaming etc.
So do I:
- get the latest Sonos 'Port' thing and make use of it that way
- sell it - quick search seems to suggest it has some value
- give it on "permanent loan" to a friend who is remotely interested in hifi
- mothball it until I own a home with 'listening room' space
What would you do?
I loved the sound of it (CDs) when it was setup and running - but that's not really how I consume it music anymore.
I realised it all a bit firstworldproblemy - but I don't think it should sit in the garage gathering dust.
(PS I think I got it around 2004/2005. And there's decent lengths of proper linn bi-wired idiot hifi speaker cable with it).
So I got in touch with him and he pointed out we barely knew each other at work but based on a good mutual friend we had in common he gave me Linn staff 'friends and family' discount - rather than proper mate's rates. But obviously I was more than happy with that. I think it was 20-25% off.
Due to life getting in the way (divorce...) I've been without it for 5 yrs. And last time it was used (In the marital home) it was 'piped' into Sonos via the 'connect' thingy.
Today I finally got all my old bits and bobs back. So I now find myself with:
Linn Majik Amp
Linn Ikemi CD player
Linn Katan Speakers - bi-wired - with nice floor stands.
(suspiciously the remotes aren't there, but a quick Google indicates they're not hard to source)
So I am pondering what to do with it.
At home we mostly consume music via various amazon echo thingies. And there is an v. old (first gen I think) Sonos in the house. So no music snob - just want convenience of streaming etc.
So do I:
- get the latest Sonos 'Port' thing and make use of it that way
- sell it - quick search seems to suggest it has some value
- give it on "permanent loan" to a friend who is remotely interested in hifi
- mothball it until I own a home with 'listening room' space
What would you do?
I loved the sound of it (CDs) when it was setup and running - but that's not really how I consume it music anymore.
I realised it all a bit firstworldproblemy - but I don't think it should sit in the garage gathering dust.
(PS I think I got it around 2004/2005. And there's decent lengths of proper linn bi-wired idiot hifi speaker cable with it).
Douglas Quaid said:
Get a network streamer and stream music from something like tidal to it at full bit rate. Spend some time in front of it with a glass of whisky and I’m sure you’ll be back into it again.
Thanks for the response. This is where I think I'm at - that or give it to 'hifi enthusiast' mate. I've got Deezer - does that get me streaming quality at a 'good enough' level?
Unless you need the cash then I would suggest keeping it.
You will probably regret later.
I suppose the flip side is, if you aren’t using it, and if you could get most of the money back that you spent on buying it, and you could afford to replace it in the future if you miss it, then sell it.
I’ve just sold my B&O Beolab 9s as I needed cash to repay some debt plus, realistically, I hardly used them.
Got some cheap 8000s to replace them for the time being and once my debt is cleared will reconsider what to replace them with
You will probably regret later.
I suppose the flip side is, if you aren’t using it, and if you could get most of the money back that you spent on buying it, and you could afford to replace it in the future if you miss it, then sell it.
I’ve just sold my B&O Beolab 9s as I needed cash to repay some debt plus, realistically, I hardly used them.
Got some cheap 8000s to replace them for the time being and once my debt is cleared will reconsider what to replace them with
Edited by Fat hippo on Wednesday 9th June 21:34
Stuff sitting idle is not good for electronics. It needs to be run. Whether that's you running the system at home, or a friend using it on loan, or a new owner makes no difference. What is important is that you get the gear going again, then you'll know for sure if there are any issues that might interrupt further plans.
The idea of anloan out is both generous and useful in keeping the stuff ticking over without taking up space in your own home. Longer-term though there's always the risk of something being damaged or simply failing, at which point the value takes a nose dive; so I would see this only as a short term solution of a few months in the run up to a sale.
This brings us to the question of keep or sell.
Linn is desirable gear, and although new entrants to the music market are likely to start off with streaming gear rather than a CD system as you did, there are still folk who are either looking for their first serious music system upgrade from smart speakers, or older generation buyers who hunkered after Linn but couldn't afford it new at the time.
From your own perspective, it would cost you a lot today to get something as good as the Linn system if you were to buy today. Quality costs, and Linn has quality in spades.
The answer to your dilemma then is either keep or sell. If you ever see yourself having the space again to set this up, then I would keep it but loan it to the friend on the proviso that if anything does go wrong that they sy to get it fixed. That's still a cheap rental deal for them.
The idea of anloan out is both generous and useful in keeping the stuff ticking over without taking up space in your own home. Longer-term though there's always the risk of something being damaged or simply failing, at which point the value takes a nose dive; so I would see this only as a short term solution of a few months in the run up to a sale.
This brings us to the question of keep or sell.
Linn is desirable gear, and although new entrants to the music market are likely to start off with streaming gear rather than a CD system as you did, there are still folk who are either looking for their first serious music system upgrade from smart speakers, or older generation buyers who hunkered after Linn but couldn't afford it new at the time.
From your own perspective, it would cost you a lot today to get something as good as the Linn system if you were to buy today. Quality costs, and Linn has quality in spades.
The answer to your dilemma then is either keep or sell. If you ever see yourself having the space again to set this up, then I would keep it but loan it to the friend on the proviso that if anything does go wrong that they sy to get it fixed. That's still a cheap rental deal for them.
I use one of these to add bluetooth to my amp...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/12034131828 - BluDento BLT-HD
There's many other similar things out there that are cheaper on Amazon etc..so plenty to choose from.
It just plugs into the Aux and then I can connect my Echo Dot or my phone.
I've set Deezer up as my "music provider" on Alexa, so I can either just tell it what to play or just play something off the phone's app.
Works for me.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/12034131828 - BluDento BLT-HD
There's many other similar things out there that are cheaper on Amazon etc..so plenty to choose from.
It just plugs into the Aux and then I can connect my Echo Dot or my phone.
I've set Deezer up as my "music provider" on Alexa, so I can either just tell it what to play or just play something off the phone's app.
Works for me.
I have a marantz na6006 streamer, great bit of kit which will enable you to listen to deezer and a lot more through your current amp. You can also plug the CD into the marantz's more up to date DAC which should improve things again.
Deezers fine, I went from Tidal to Deezer 6 months ago. Tidal sounded lifeless in direct comparison.
Deezers fine, I went from Tidal to Deezer 6 months ago. Tidal sounded lifeless in direct comparison.
Thanks for the replies all.
The good news is it works! Set it up in the garage today. Was struggling to find cds - so ended up working my way through unpacking boxes to Pet shop boys and Behaviour
I think it’s likely I’ll look to get a streaming thingy.
There’s not much space for it in the house tbh but will try and figure it out. If not I’ve a mate who’ll babysit it for a while…
The good news is it works! Set it up in the garage today. Was struggling to find cds - so ended up working my way through unpacking boxes to Pet shop boys and Behaviour
I think it’s likely I’ll look to get a streaming thingy.
There’s not much space for it in the house tbh but will try and figure it out. If not I’ve a mate who’ll babysit it for a while…
Ikemi was always a very good sounding CD player at approx £2k 15 years ago. They still go for £800-900 on ebay. Katans are also very nice sounding bookshelf/standmount speakers. I've still got the active cards for a pair somewhere.
I don't know which Majik amp you have as there have been several over the years - is it the same size/format box as the Ikemi or wider?
If you never intend to listen to CDs again but like the overall Linn sound (if there is such a thing) I would consider selling both the boxes whilst the Ikemi is still in full working order and trade for something like a Majik DSM which is an all-in-one streamer/DAC/pre/power amp. There are several different generations available. Linn's own streaming implementation works with Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify Connect.
I don't know which Majik amp you have as there have been several over the years - is it the same size/format box as the Ikemi or wider?
If you never intend to listen to CDs again but like the overall Linn sound (if there is such a thing) I would consider selling both the boxes whilst the Ikemi is still in full working order and trade for something like a Majik DSM which is an all-in-one streamer/DAC/pre/power amp. There are several different generations available. Linn's own streaming implementation works with Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify Connect.
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