I finally got the time to chime in here to this most important thread. I have been a Linn fan, and 'investor' in several Linn systems over the years. I presently have a Linn Kaber Aktiv tri-amp'd with LK-100s and active crossovers, and a 15 room Linn Sekrit/Intersekt multi-room setup with 15 LK100s, and of course the LP-12 fully loaded. I also have an active Isobarik system set up for my Dad. And I still can go all the way back to my first setup: LK1/LK280/Kan's combo (though the special interconnect XLRs have gone missing!). Now, until recently I thought nothing would or could touch my love for that Linn sound. I've even toured the Linn factory in Glasgow, and met all the creators of these great products, including Ivor, (founder, managing director) whom gave me a personal tour of the grounds, and the reference audio rooms, a very generous and brilliant man. Yes, I did say I was a Linn fan.
To keep a long story short. I spent a fraction of the $, on a pair of 9.02s, a P-8 pre, and wired them to a new pair of Zu Audio's Druid Mk4's. Talk about disruptive audio. This system is absolutely the best sounding system I have heard at any price. I bought my first Linn kit in 1989-1990. So that is roughly 16 years of Linn gear. In about 120 seconds I was completely transformed. The speed, detail, clarity, and soundstage is amazing. Most of all, the quality of the bass is just unreal. I didn't know what transient was until I heard these amps, and this whole system. Big props to Zu as well, these crossoverless Druids are frankly the best speakers I've heard as well near perfected coherence as a result of the design. Even for my room, they seem a bit better than their reference product, the Definitions. Though I may upgrade down the line if I get convinced otherwise.
To that end, I *have* started the upgrade process after just 6 months with my 9.02s, and P-8. I should receive my 9.02SE''s this week, and the new P-9 this month. I have pre-ordered the P-9. What is so unique and great about Nuforce is the simple fact that they really invest in their customers for the long term. They realize if they can keep producing great product, people will stay with it, and upgrade. As such, they give full trade-in value on most all their gear, when trading up, provided its in good shape. Amazing. Why go anywhere else? I think the reference series upgrades will last me more than 6 months, but this service level guarantees I'll be at Ref10 and Ref11 down the road.
I love Linn, and my LP12 stays in the mix, but they don't seem to have innovated as fast as they used to. The new products are less disruptive than these new players joining the fray and breaking conventional wisdom and conventional uber high pricing. I love the young, brilliant newcomers that work hard, and make service top priority, second only to producing the best sounding gear at a great price. I'm glad I am alive and young enough to jam with this level of gear for many years to come.
Go Nuforce, go Zu, you can't go wrong.
