System edited: SRA VR platform added. Wow, the platform is amazing! providing way more calm and resolution than my previous setting. It simply makes music sound right and alive.
Thanks for your comments. Judging from our systems, we must share similar taste.
Unfortunately, I have never used a none-Chakra version of Twin, I have no first hand experience to tell you as to how it compares. However, from what I read in one magazine, the Charkra upgrade made a dramatic improvement, in some areas it even surpassed Solos. I would certainly encorage you to do the upgrade.
My Twin was a late version original Twin that received a Chakra upgrade for free when purchased new by the original owner. I am the second owner.
I am very happy with the sound of my system, but I suspect the C1s have not reached their full potential, so I would like to try a pair of Solos on C1s in the future, if just out of curiousity. From price point of view, it certainly does not justify the amplifier/speaker cost ratio.
Fantastic system - simple and beautiful. I too have Dynaudio C1's driven by a Klimax Twin(original, non Chakra version) with Linn Unidisk 1.1 and Kinos pre/processor.
Agree with your observations re the Kilmax vs. ostensibly more powerful amps. I have auditioned various 200W options that have no where near the presence and authority of the Klimax. Also, once you have owned the jewel like Klimax it is hard to go back to any other product with lesser aesthetic virtues!
My question was in reference to the "Chakra" version. Have you ever been able to compare the Chakra with the earlier Klimax Twin? I am thinking of getting my one factory upgraded and trying to determine if there will be much difference. I would love to upgrade to a pair of Klimax Solo's but I don't think I can quite justify them with the C1's.
Wenrhuang, Thank you for posting the picture of your house, I am very impressed! Is that a picture from you back yard? I routed all the cables behind the baseboard, by getting a thick basevoard and cutting a channel in the back. Not very audiophile, but very visually appealing, Jeff
What did you paid for the Andromeda IC 1m? I'm on holiday in Hongkong now and they sell here for 14000HKDollars for the balanced version. The dealer here also sells XLO, Harmonix, Silltech a.o., but they say the Vitus cables are very good.
I just checked out your system, it and your room looks very classy, you have quite some collections. By the way, looking at your system's photos, it seems that you hide your cables well, I can not even see your speaker cables, how did you route them?
I added a picture of our house, giving you a context of our living/audio room.
I agree with you that Linn's components are generall high in WAF and quality, a good combination. I was also surprised that the Klimax 500 Charkra twin, a slim box rated at 100w into 8ohm, sounds more powerful and has better control of my Dynaudio speakers than my previous 200w rated amplifier did.
System edited: A custom ordered Sound Mechanics Performance Platform was used under components. Also added were Acoustic System's Reference Feet under the CD transport, and its Interlaces under the speakers' spikes.
System edited: Just replaced the Siltech G5 speaker cables with the new Crystal cable's Ultra, the improvement was very obvious. The Ultra has so much more resolution, yet it is more neutral with very balanced presentation from top to bottom. I noticed the texture and tone of, for instance, violin sounded so much more real through my system with the Ultra in place.
It was quite a change at first. Linn sounded lean at first compared to the Gryphon, but offered a more precise and more detailed presentation. Now, with some tuning by cables and power cords, and also, probably because I am getting used to the Linn's sound, I do not notice any leanness any more. I consider it is definitely an improvement, not in the more treble or bass type of way, but mostly in refinement.
The CD rack is made by Ligne Roset, Link: http://www.ligne-roset-usa.com/products/accessories/cd_shelves.htm . I think you can only purchase from its stores.