Organik for Akubarik

[Scooter]

I have been wondering what Akubariks look like without the electronics pack. Thank you for uploading the photo.

I took a photo of mine when the backs were off to be upgraded to Katalyst 6 years back, not the best photo but…

[The Snug]

When the updated electronics pack are returned, would it be possible to see some photos of the units and the reinstall?

[Scooter]

When the updated electronics pack are returned, would it be possible to see some photos of the units and the reinstall?

Yes, if I get chance.

[vincent]

Yeah, interesting indeed! Also, is that a post-it on the left speaker?

Yes (memo to self about relocating spikes)!

[vincent]

When the updated electronics pack are returned, would it be possible to see some photos of the units and the reinstall?

Yes, if I get chance.

Yes I will do this tomorrow, if I remember (I took photos of the Katalyst layout, so will post both).

[The Snug]

Thank you both, I bet you are just a little bit excited.

[dikki]

Yeah, interesting indeed! Also, is that a post-it on the left speaker?

Yes (memo to self about relocating spikes)!

[Scooter]

When the updated electronics pack are returned, would it be possible to see some photos of the units and the reinstall?

My backs have arrived late this afternoon at my dealers and will be replaced tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately I have the school run so may miss part of the installation. I will take what I can, if I can.

[akamatsu]

When the updated electronics pack are returned, would it be possible to see some photos of the units and the reinstall?

My backs have arrived late this afternoon at my dealers and will be replaced tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately I have the school run so may miss part of the installation. I will take what I can, if I can.

I'm thinking the dealer may want to snap a few photos themselves. I assume this is their first Akubarik/Organik upgrade. Looking forward to your impressions, really soon!

[The Snug]

Thank you Scooter.

[vincent]

Well, I've been done! All went smoothly, after a certain amount of fiddling with Linn Account settings for the speakers to be recognised and allocated left and right etc.

I'll report my findings in greater detail after I've had the chance to listen properly, to a wider range of music/souces. But I'm already in no doubt that the improvement is bigger than the step from the original DAC to Katalyst. In a few words, music is presented in a way that is more effortless, refined, natural, nuanced, subtle, emotionally engaging, and I'm tempted to say organic! Caveats apply at this stage (judgment clouded by having been without system for a month, etc)

Of course with all the excitement I didn't get the best photos, but these show the differences in layout. Top to bottom: original Katalyst board; three pics of Organik from different angles; finally a rather nice metal badge on the back of the module

[entdgc]

I am a bit of pedant who sees a new car and thinks why didn't they put the number plate on straight! So...nice Organic badge - shame it isn't straight . At least it's on the back so you won't have to look at it!

I'll get my coat....

[The Snug]

Thank you for the photos. All other photos I have seen of an electronics pack have been without the speaker leads and I was curious about how the signal got to the drive units. Now I understand. I wish you joy for the listening sessions to come, and I look forward to reading your impressions.

[vincent]

I am a bit of pedant who sees a new car and thinks why didn't they put the number plate on straight! So...nice Organic badge - shame it isn't straight . At least it's on the back so you won't have to look at it!

I'll get my coat....

Hadn't noticed tbh. The pic doesn't do justice to the beauty of the badge, machined from a billet of aluminium and protected by a plastic film which the dealer insisted on removing for maximum sound quality. Back to the music.

[Scooter]

Quick update, organik in and I've only chance to play 5 tracks and I'm very impressed. When I switched to katalyst the change wasn't that big imho but this is really good. This and utopik have been game changers. Initial thoughts more separation, definition just more presence of everything, easy to listen to. I've played some Peter Gabriel, Wilco, Miles Davis and Beatles. I'm off to church tonight for some old style blues from Jerron Paxton. So tomorrow will be spent giving a thorough run through.

[vincent]

Quick update, organik in and I've only chance to play 5 tracks and I'm very impressed. When I switched to katalyst the change wasn't that big imho but this is really good. This and utopik have been game changers. Initial thoughts more separation, definition just more presence of everything, easy to listen to. I've played some Peter Gabriel, Wilco, Miles Davis and Beatles. I'm off to church tonight for some old style blues from Jerron Paxton. So tomorrow will be spent giving a thorough run through.

[vincent]

24 hours in, I'm surprised by how much more enjoyable I’m finding streaming - from both NAS and the Internet - and by the way I'm being drawn into the music. So much so that I’ve not yet listened properly to the LP 12 (other than to check the input is working). Classical music (Radio 3, Linn Classical) has been a revelation, even at 320kbps. I think the sound delivered by Organik is somehow more analogue and less ‘digital’ than Katalyst; also more refined and effortless, as though the system is not having to work as hard in producing music. The improvement is not just quantitative (wider and deeper soundstage with more precise location of musical components), but also qualitative: instruments and vocals are more naturally and realistically presented, allowing greater insight into subtle details. Some notoriously tricky tracks/recordings (Doors, Waiting for the Sun; Pixies, Caribou; REM, Radio Song) make it over the enjoyable line. Well-recorded material is better by a significant margin. More to follow

[Scooter]

I've had it on now since about half one. First up I put on the new Pearl Jam album which I downloaded this morning. The difference even on an album I didn't know was amazing, so much presence, detail and separation with a lot more punch especially drums. The experience was like the first time I heard an LP12, that's how impressive I found it.
So five hours later I've played a big variety of old and new and I am so pleased. I've always said that I think digital is more real, a thing I picked after reading an article by Neil Young some years back. This sound imho goes towards vinyl but not too far, it keeps it real. I've also put Peter Gabriel's I/O on my listening list, the recording is excellent. On Jesus etc by Wilco I've picked up a lot clearer a gentle rhythm guitar that now stands out a lot firmer. Aja, another of my test drive albums sounds the best I've heard it as does DSOTM. One track I played was Brandon Flowers I Can Change. When I first heard that track it was on a Klimax DS and 350's when I had gone to test drive the Akubariks, listening to it now on this I think it's as good as that. If I was starting out new I would definitely go this route, that is assuming I had the money.
The biggest upgrades I did before this was buying the LP12. Years later upgrading from Akurate to Klimax DS. These changes I've just done, because I'm including the utopik PS upgrade, have been the the best I've done. It's like renewing my music collection, something like I experienced when I bought the LP12. Got the night ahead tonight so I'm off back to it.

[The Snug]

I am relieved to read that you are finding the upgrade to be worthwhile. Are you finding any differences to vinyl replay?

[Scooter]

I am relieved to read that you are finding the upgrade to be worthwhile. Are you finding any differences to vinyl replay?

I'm digital only. This is superior to my old LP12 but they have come a long way since lingo 2, etc.

[vincent]

I am relieved to read that you are finding the upgrade to be worthwhile. Are you finding any differences to vinyl replay?

Prior to this upgrade I was listening almost exclusively to vinyl, because it was so clearly superior to digital sources. Organik has dramatically improved streaming from NAS and internet, giving the music a more analogue feel, more akin to the LP12/Katalyst sound. So the question for me is whether the LP12 with Organik is (still) better than digital sources with Organik - or has the gap closed? Will report back when I've played more records.

[The Twins]

Today our dealer removed the Akubarik pods and packed them in the special boxes supplied. After leaving us he delivered them direct to the Linn factory. We're lucky just living 20 minutes away from Linn. There they will join the queue and expected to be away for over a week. Our dealer Loud & Clear in Glasgow made sure that we are left with a system so that during the time of the Organik upgrade we still have full music facilities. Not quite the quality of the system we have but still much better than nothing.
It is good to read that the upgrade is getting an excellent review. Thank you for that review. Very encouraging. Ofcourse we are now counting the days for the return of the upgrade. Good times ahead!

[Scooter]

Today our dealer removed the Akubarik pods and packed them in the special boxes supplied. After leaving us he delivered them direct to the Linn factory. We're lucky just living 20 minutes away from Linn. There they will join the queue and expected to be away for over a week. Our dealer Loud & Clear in Glasgow made sure that we are left with a system so that during the time of the Organik upgrade we still have full music facilities. Not quite the quality of the system we have but still much better than nothing.
It is good to read that the upgrade is getting an excellent review. Thank you for that review. Very encouraging. Ofcourse we are now counting the days for the return of the upgrade. Good times ahead!

Mine were away for just over 3 weeks but that included the Easter break. When I upgraded to Katalyst I didn’t think it was such a big upgrade and put it down to having no system for a couple of weeks but this is very different. I upgraded to Utopik earlier and both have been significant upgrades and it’s like having a new system. Yes you will have good times ahead.

[vincent]

Today our dealer removed the Akubarik pods and packed them in the special boxes supplied. After leaving us he delivered them direct to the Linn factory. We're lucky just living 20 minutes away from Linn. There they will join the queue and expected to be away for over a week. Our dealer Loud & Clear in Glasgow made sure that we are left with a system so that during the time of the Organik upgrade we still have full music facilities. Not quite the quality of the system we have but still much better than nothing.
It is good to read that the upgrade is getting an excellent review. Thank you for that review. Very encouraging. Ofcourse we are now counting the days for the return of the upgrade. Good times ahead!

It'll be worth the wait

[The Snug]

I placed my order for the upgrade today and my dealer is going to lift the electonics modules on the 21st. That coincides with me being away for three weeks, so I would be missing the system anyway.

How are things going for you guys who have had the upgrade?