Hi folks, and welcome to this month’s article from us here at Audio T Brighton. We’re in for a bit of modular streaming hi-fi bliss this month because the streaming DAC/pre-amp/amplifier in question is one of the most flexible and upgradeable units on the market today. Throw in fine sound, sleek looks and user-friendliness and you’re as future-proof a design in this field as one can get. Time to look at the Linn Selekt DSM Hub Classic and her options.

Linn Selekt DSM Hub...

The Linn Selekt DSM hub comes in several variants - I will attempt to cover many of them throughout the course of this blog, but as a catalyst (or should I say Katalyst - pun very much intended!), we’ll be referring to a custom build of the Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub with a built-in amplifier/standard DAC module. This version is on one of the starter models on the Linn Ladder of Listenability via modular design, which is both neat and allows customers flexibility as their music system expands with personal requirements. To be fair, this is not just marketing PR, which the industry can be prone to, as Linn has always followed this philosophy with their famous Linn LP12 turntables, allowing upgradability when funds and desires coincide.

Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub with amp/DAC modules... Assembly

I thought a little video insert might be educational for folks to see how well thought out the Linn modular design is. So here goes...

I’m not sure the BBC have much to worry about and before you ask, no I didn’t go to film school! 😅 P.S. I did put the lid back on afterwards!

Linn Selekt DSM Hub hall of fame...

This section will aim to break down the options available on the Linn Ladder of Listenability and provide some insight into the plethora of options available to our customers.

First of all comes the box, so to speak, with a folded aluminium case in the Classic Hub, or a fully-machined case out of a solid block of aluminium with the Edition Hub.

It should be noted that the Edition hub comes with a fully machined chassis for rigidity. The sonic benefits this type of enclosure offers; reduced interference and microphonics, should not be dismissed lightly. The Edition hub version also has a built-in headphone socket and subwoofer output, which may be essential for some users.

Second up comes your choice of DAC performance; Standard, Katalyst, Organik or Dual-Mono Organik. I can personally vouch for the sonic upgrade between the Standard and Organik DAC’s, having fitted and listened to both, the sound improvements are marked and very worthwhile!

Choose your linn selekt dsm dac performance level

Thirdly, comes your application requirement; either as a digital source, a fully-fledged 2-channel stereo system or an AV/TV system.

All Linn Selekt DSM Hubs come with the latest Utopik power supply, which is in itself a significant upgrade, which I experienced when I fitted and heard the before and after on a customer’s Linn Klimax DSM.

It should be mentioned that owing to the modular upgradability of the Linn system, the Linn Utopik power supply upgrade is available as a retrofit upgrade for earlier versions of the Linn Selekt DSM Hubs.

More details about the various system configurations can be found on our website at Audio T in Brighton or by following the links provided in this blog or on Linn’s own website.

A technical tour-de-force...

WiFi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 come as standard but we always recommend a good old ethernet cable whenever possible.

Being a Linn product , one would come to expect a good quality MM/MC Phono Stage and the Selekt DSM Hubs don’t disappoint, as we find out in our listening tests later. Digital playback is as agnostic as you’ll get, with Hi-Res, DSD lossless formats catered for and most compressed file types in the mix as well.

For those who encounter sound problems owing to awkward room dimensions or room layout, reflective surfaces etc, then Space Optimisation is available to counter these deleterious effects. Personally, we feel good speaker placement and system set-up negates the need for DSP but it is still a nice extra to have should you need it.

It’s time to Selekt your music...

linn selekt dsm edition hub with a matching linn selekt LP12 turntable

So, once you’ve chosen your Selekt DSM Hub configuration and had it assembled, delivered and installed by your local Audio T, now is the time to choose some music and enjoy your purchase, knowing full well that your future playback requirements are covered.

Linn Selekt DSM Classic sound...

How does it sound? Quite frankly, stunning!

Linn has built a sonic reputation around their famous Linn LP12 turntables, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023 and currently comprises three performance levels: Linn Majik LP12, Linn Selekt LP12 and Linn Klimax LP12.

I’m pleased to say that the various incarnations of the Linn Majik DSM, Linn Selekt DSM and Linn Klimax DSM hubs perform at a commensurate level to their analogue siblings.

Here at our Audio T shop in Brighton, we paired a Linn Majik LP12 with a Linn Adikt MM cartridge, the aforementioned Linn Selekt DSM Hub Classic amp/dac module and a pair of Linn Majik 140 floor-standing speakers to great effect, sounding neutral, detailed and wholesome at the same time - not an easy feat for a music system, at any price.

I have attached a short video of the system in action for your pleasure!

Be one of the Selekt few...

The Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub offers the user fine sound quality, an excellent user experience and a future-proof modular upgrade path. It comes highly recommended from Audio T.

As always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so get in touch to book a demonstration.

Thanks for reading.

Ade, John and Paul - Audio T Brighton

If you have any questions about any of the equipment featured in this article, or any other Hi-Fi or home cinema enquiries, be sure to Contact Us.

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