So I think we all know that vinyl has had a pretty successful resurgence, but there are also those out there who are firmly set in their streaming ways. Well, who said the two are mutually exclusive? Why not combine the two?

Join me now as I take a look at the superb combination of the Linn Majik 140 amp/streamer and the Majik LP12 record deck. Could this be a marriage made in heaven? Let’s take a peak…

Linn Majik 140 DSM Streaming Amplifier

Like a proverbial Swiss Army knife, the Linn Majik 140 DSM Streamer Amplifier is a one-stop box of tricks. From here you can stream all your online music, plug in your turntable, listen to Internet radio or even connect your TV to make it the center of your home entertainment system. Whatever you're listening to, Majik DSM gives you access to it all in one place, and all with a premium sound quality.

As previously mentioned, you can stream and connect from a wide variety of sources, wired or wirelessly, via WiFi, Apple’s Airplay 2, Bluetooth and so forth.

Linn’s dedicated app allows you to stream hi-res services such TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music as well as the standard Spotify, Apple Music or even your own music collection stored on an external hard drive via USB. You’ll also find several HDMI inputs to plug in your TV, Sky, Virgin or BT topset box, Apple TV, games consoles etc.

With the built-in MM configurable phono stage, the Majik DSM also allows you to add a turntable, making it the hub and beating heart of all your home entertainment.

The back of the Majik 140 showing multiple inputs

As an all-in-one network music player, it has built in preamp and power amps. Like all Linn's network music players, it has a built-in feature called Space Optimisation which allows you to tailor the performance to your room's unique characteristics. Linn has already dialled-in a whole host of presets for some of the most popular high-quality speakers. You may want your local store to help you set this up to ensure you’re getting the most out of Space Optimisation.

If like us, you are planning on pairing the Majik DSM with a Majik LP12 turntable, you will need to configure the phono stage from the Linn app, which is easy enough to do. this clever system will digitise the signal through the analogue to digital converter, and then you will then be introduced to the world of high-performance vinyl replay.

Linn Majik LP12

So, let’s take a look at the LP12 itself.

The Majik LP12 is a fantastic turntable to leap in to the world of Linn and high performance vinyl playback. Using carefully selected Linn-engineered components to let you experience the iconic and timeless aesthetic of the LP12, with all the advantages of modern manufacturing and engineering under the lid. This is a high-quality way to rediscover your vinyl or hear what high performance vinyl playback can do for you. In itself it can be upgraded by your local store, but that is another story…

You can have a read of what goes in to the maintenance and upgrade of an LP12 over at Audio T Brighton’s blog Here.

But for now we will concentrate on the gateway turntable, the Majik LP12. It includes the latest sandwich-construction aluminium sub-chassis, patented single point Karousel bearing, and internal low noise power supply and Linn’s Krane tonearm and Adikt moving magnet cartridge complete the deck. All you need to do is to plug it into the built-in phono stage at the back of the Majik 140 DSM, or it works equally well if you introduce it to any high-performance phono stage as a bridge to your existing hi-fi or an alternative amp. It is a fantastic addition to any set up to bring that musical, dynamic and rich trademark Linn sound.

How does the combo sound?

Firstly, I set up the system with a pair of Spendor A2’s to provide a compact high-quality system. Streaming from Tidal and Qobuz it provided a rich, detailed, and dynamic soundscape. Listening to the Orb (Orbus Terrarum) all the atmospherics and deep dub bass came across in startlingly good fashion. So good that I thought it time to try a larger set of speakers for a bigger room scenario, so I wheeled in the Spendor A4’s to see how the Majik 140 would cope. The Majik DSM gripped and controlled these speakers providing a large, deep, and insightful soundstage. Of course, other speakers than Spendor are available to suit a variety of tastes.

Our vinyl and streaming choices - The Orb (Orbus Terrarum) and Eno/Wobble (Spinner)

Next up I plugged in the LP12 and configured the phono stage from the Linn app (easy from an iPhone or Android phone or tablet). I then listened to the excellent Brian Eno/Jah Wobble album “Spinner,” chosen for its exceptional sonics. Through the Linn Majik LP12 the result was wonderful. The iconic reputation of the LP12 is well deserved, and it sounds surprisingly modern, not at all soft and rounded but full of charm. It sounded big, confident, and enjoyable, slightly on the warm side of neutral with natural spatial placement, which gets to the emotional heart of the music and enhances the mood.

In conclusion

What a great way to have the best of both worlds from vinyl and streaming in a compact system! Just add the speakers of your choice to explore and refresh your musical heritage and memories in high quality sound, as well as discovering new treasures.

But why just take our word for it? Come and experience it for yourself in a well curated system built around your needs. Contact us to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Rob & Gareth – Audio T Reading

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