Technology

“It’s like a new species”: Linn launches Next-Gen Klimax DSM, is this the world’s best music streamer?

Hi-Fi specialist Linn is taking streaming audio technology to lofty new heights with the launch of the new Klimax DSM. 

Hailing the launch as a momentous achievement, Gilad Tiefenbrun, Linn’s Managing Director, describes this new Klimax DSM as the ultimate embodiment of Linn’s passion for music and “as close as you can get to streaming audio perfection.​”

The £30,000 component is the first product to feature the brand’s all-new Organik DAC. Designed and manufactured entirely in-house, Linn says the digital to analogue converter delivers significantly lower noise and distortion than anything the company has achieved before, even compared to its lauded Katalyst DAC.

“Organik goes beyond the evolution of the DAC – it’s more like a new species.”

Linn launched the first DSM in 2007, and has been a pioneer in digital audio streaming ever since. Linn currently offers three DSM models:  Klimax DSM, Selekt DSM and Majik DSM.

“We’ve taken a no holds barred approach with the Klimax DSM, inside and out, to create the ultimate streamer.”

The £13,000 music streamer is the first to feature the brand’s all-new Organik DAC, goes beyond evolution

The new flagship Klimax DSM boasts a custom-designed enclosure machined in-house to achieve unprecedented levels of precision and accuracy, from solid high grade aluminium, to combat vibration; bespoke partitions are used to separate analogue, digital and power stages.

Look closely, and you’ll notice the diamond-cut circles on the upper surface of the unit, echo the grooves of a record, an homage to Linn’s legendary Sondek LP12 turntable. The distinctive Linn control dial is a celebration of precision engineering, the turned brass bearing ensuring smooth handling while a photo-etched stainless steel surround showcases 100 status lights.

Every Klimax DSM is hand built by a highly skilled Linn engineer. “We call this process a Single Stage Build, and it ensures that there’s always someone taking responsibility for every product. So much so that they sign their name to every Klimax DSM.” 

The Klimax DSM supports resolutions up to 24-bit 384khz and DSD256 and has Exakt Link ports to enable direct connection of an LP12 turntable. There are three analogue inputs, one XLR and the two RCA phonos, and three digital inputs (one optical digital, and two coaxial). Other connections include a USB input for direct connection to a computer, as well as WiFi or Bluetooth. 

There’s a Klimax DSM AV variant for those that want to route TV audio

The luxury streamer is available in two configurations, one pure music the other AV – Klimax DSM (Audio) and Klimax DSM (AV) – latter includes HDMI inputs with eARC for use with a TV and AV components. 

“There’s no difference in performance, it’s about application,” reassures Gilad Tiefenbrun. “So for customers who have lots of analogue sources, and their Hi-Fi set-up is just for listening to music they should take the audio variant and for those who also have movie sources, projector, screen, Apple TV, those kinds of things that require the HDMI, they should take the AV variant.

Existing Linn customers can trade-in and trade up to the new Klimax DSM. New buyers are being offered a Try at Home audition.  

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Yahoo UK, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Ideal Home, Louder Sounds, Channel News and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK

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