Linn Majik 140 Owners.

[timster]

That's interesting. I've had the rear ports bunged. I'll try unbunging.

AFAIK Exakt expects ports to be bunged.

Dave

What what what what?

I'm Exakt with ports open, how did I miss that!?

Eh.

Possibly because it isn't mentioned anywhere in LinnDocs? Could be it was in the original Linn forum sometime

[Millennial]

I'll be in emailing Linn to have them clarify!

[Moomintroll]

Of course, you may both be right! Timster is using a sub and I recall much discussion with Philbo on the old forum about how better integration was achieved between sub and ported speakers, if the port was bunged. However, I’ve just read something in Linn docs that says that SO+ caters for port behaviour. So, let’s see what the helpline has to add.

[briardsrock]

Analogue Active isn't so easy either. You still need x channels of amplification. Granted digital active requires filters, but at least they are software and not requiring a physical circuit board. So which is more of a dead end?
I could swap out my exakt box for a saigo but I see no advantage in that.
Just my opinion

Sorry, what is “Saigo”?

[timster]

Analogue Active isn't so easy either. You still need x channels of amplification. Granted digital active requires filters, but at least they are software and not requiring a physical circuit board. So which is more of a dead end?
I could swap out my exakt box for a saigo but I see no advantage in that.
Just my opinion

Sorry, what is “Saigo”?

I meant Sigao, Kudos' crossover box.

[Millennial]

New job, been a busy boy never got around to emailing Linn

[briardsrock]

My M140s include the metal stands with spikes. My music room is carpet with a heavy pad sitting on a concrete slab. I can't figure out how to get them super solid with no rocking when you test them. The past weekend I took of the metal stands to adjust the spikes and stand to sit flat, without the speakers attached.

Step 1: Adjust spikes so that metal stand sits absolutely flat when spikes poke through to the concrete slab beneath
Step 2: Re-attach metal stands to M140s
Step 3: Position the M140s where I want them
Step 4: Work at pressing down on the M140s so that the stand spikes go through the carpet/pad and touch the underlying concrete
Step 5: Work on all 4 corners alternatively to make sure one spike isn't being prevented from going all the way through to the concrete slab
Step 6: Test to see if speaker rocks or is flat and solid
Step 7: Speak rather loudly, "crap, they still rock"

Can anyone lend some advice?

[timster]

The best way is to adjust the spikes in situ rather than taking the stands off. Pick one corner that's lifting when it rocks, loosen the locking nut and unscrew the spike until it stops rocking, tighten the locking nut.

[Moomintroll]

It’s pretty difficult to ensure the floor is perfectly flat just where you want to position a speaker. My method is to level the speaker using three spikes, lock them and then bring down the forth one until snug. The bottom of the stand needs to be clear of any carpet, but no higher than it needs to be. If you want to be really obsessive, then level the speakers with each other, so that tweeters are at the same height.

Dave

[briardsrock]

Since getting my 140’s back (after I blew the tweeters!), I’ve come to appreciate my 140’s all the more.

I was thinking about ‘upgrading’ to Aktiv Akubarik’s or ATC SCM40A’s, but have steered myself back from that.

The problem is, is that once you change the speakers it changes the ‘nature’ of the system, and could lead you into another spiral of ‘ungraditis’. I don’t want that. I just want to enjoy the music!

Interestingly, my dealer maintains that the 140’s are ‘the best’ speakers Linn makes at present (probably excluding the 360’s!?). In fact, Trevor at ‘House of Linn’ uses a pair of 109’s with a couple of REL subwoofers at the end of his Klimax LP12 etc. And he’s more than happy.

So ‘long live the 140’s’, I say!

Martin, how did you blow your tweeters (with hopes I won’t do it)?

[briardsrock]

The best way is to adjust the spikes in situ rather than taking the stands off. Pick one corner that's lifting when it rocks, loosen the locking nut and unscrew the spike until it stops rocking, tighten the locking nut.

I’m wondering if our carpet and pad is just too thick, does someone perhaps make longer spikes?

I am going to try your suggestion and the others here tomorrow!

[briardsrock]

All this love for Majik 140s warms my heart. It's great to see folks getting more and more out of their speakers by upgrading upstream.

Curious, what speakers did you have prior to your Akubariks?

[timster]

The best way is to adjust the spikes in situ rather than taking the stands off. Pick one corner that's lifting when it rocks, loosen the locking nut and unscrew the spike until it stops rocking, tighten the locking nut.

I’m wondering if our carpet and pad is just too thick, does someone perhaps make longer spikes?

I am going to try your suggestion and the others here tomorrow!

The spikes are actually quite long. Most people screw them all the way in before applying the locking nut.
Try unscrewing them all out, then screw them back in onlyba couple of turns.

[Martin Kelly]

Since getting my 140’s back (after I blew the tweeters!), I’ve come to appreciate my 140’s all the more.

I was thinking about ‘upgrading’ to Aktiv Akubarik’s or ATC SCM40A’s, but have steered myself back from that.

The problem is, is that once you change the speakers it changes the ‘nature’ of the system, and could lead you into another spiral of ‘ungraditis’. I don’t want that. I just want to enjoy the music!

Interestingly, my dealer maintains that the 140’s are ‘the best’ speakers Linn makes at present (probably excluding the 360’s!?). In fact, Trevor at ‘House of Linn’ uses a pair of 109’s with a couple of REL subwoofers at the end of his Klimax LP12 etc. And he’s more than happy.

So ‘long live the 140’s’, I say!

Martin, how did you blow your tweeters (with hopes I won’t do it)?

Hahaha!! Too much volume!

I’ve limited the KK to maximum volume of 80 now

[Martin Kelly]

Analogue Active isn't so easy either. You still need x channels of amplification. Granted digital active requires filters, but at least they are software and not requiring a physical circuit board. So which is more of a dead end?
I could swap out my exakt box for a saigo but I see no advantage in that.
Just my opinion

Sorry, what is “Saigo”?

I meant Sigao, Kudos' crossover box.

I heard the Kudos Titan 707 with Saigo, fed by a NGKDSM and Chord power amps at the NW Audio Show with @Newton_John last weekend.

It sounded absolutely superb! I must admit, I’m VERY tempted!

[akamatsu]

All this love for Majik 140s warms my heart. It's great to see folks getting more and more out of their speakers by upgrading upstream.

Curious, what speakers did you have prior to your Akubariks?

I had Linn 530s from April 2018 to August 2020 when I got the Akubariks. Before that it was Aktiv Tukans from 1998, and Linn Kan 2s from about 1992. Started Linn speakers with the Index Plus model in 1987.

[Newton_John]

Analogue Active isn't so easy either. You still need x channels of amplification. Granted digital active requires filters, but at least they are software and not requiring a physical circuit board. So which is more of a dead end?
I could swap out my exakt box for a saigo but I see no advantage in that.
Just my opinion

Sorry, what is “Saigo”?

I meant Sigao, Kudos' crossover box.

I heard the Kudos Titan 707 with Saigo, fed by a NGKDSM and Chord power amps at the NW Audio Show with @Newton_John last weekend.

It sounded absolutely superb! I must admit, I’m VERY tempted!

I can confirm what Martin says. The system with the Sigao Drive was superb.

Unfortunately, we missed the passive/active dem, which I understand is impressive.

It would be interesting to hear how the Sigao Drive compares to an Exaktbox.

[timster]

Analogue Active isn't so easy either. You still need x channels of amplification. Granted digital active requires filters, but at least they are software and not requiring a physical circuit board. So which is more of a dead end?
I could swap out my exakt box for a saigo but I see no advantage in that.
Just my opinion

Sorry, what is “Saigo”?

I meant Sigao, Kudos' crossover box.

I heard the Kudos Titan 707 with Saigo, fed by a NGKDSM and Chord power amps at the NW Audio Show with @Newton_John last weekend.

It sounded absolutely superb! I must admit, I’m VERY tempted!

I can confirm what Martin says. The system with the Sigao Drive was superb.

Unfortunately, we missed the passive/active dem, which I understand is impressive.

It would be interesting to hear how the Sigao Drive compares to an Exaktbox.

Off topic I know but I'm wondering.

When I get my 2 Organik modules for the Selekt I will be Exakting my Super20s. But correct me if I'm wrong - if I removed one of the modules I could reconfigure it to be passive yes?
In which case I would actually have the capacity to change from an Exakt system to passive for the first time, yes? Then I could audition a Sigao...

Or maybe just by configuring the Selekt without actually having to physically remove a module?

[rmantini]

I've taken a very similar path, albeit on a different continent. I'm on my second full Linn system. My first Linn speakers were the Keilidh's. I now have the M140's in Exakt mode powered by an Exaktbox-i (katalyst upgraded), and a Akurate Exakt DSM (utopik upgraded). This is a great combination. It makes the relatively reasonably priced M140's sound wonderful. I have now invested and maximized in the source first philosophy to the point where the "upgraditis" disease is displaying symtoms of speaker replacement. The Linn path for speaker upgrade has been closed. I missed the Akudoriks which are now discontinued. I have heard a friend's exakt Akubariks - amazing, but not in my price braket.

There are so many speaker choices. I just feel that going away from an active 4-way speaker to a passive 2/3 way is not stepping in the right direction. I've spent so many years on the active path.

I'm intrigued by Kudos. They are configured to work with Linn's exakt system. I've been informed that with the Exaktbox-i one would use amps 1,3,5,7 to drive Kudos speakers. Unfortunately, there is very limited distribution of Kudos in Canada. It seems than in the UK this brand is carried by Linn dealers, so one get the chance to hear them together.

Would there be any experience with comparing the Kudos 606 to the Linn M140's in aktiv mode? Or would it be better to wait and see if / when Linn launches a new generation of speakers. I feel somewhat stuck in an old world of legacy gear.

Thanks

[timster]

I've taken a very similar path, albeit on a different continent. I'm on my second full Linn system. My first Linn speakers were the Keilidh's. I now have the M140's in Exakt mode powered by an Exaktbox-i (katalyst upgraded), and a Akurate Exakt DSM (utopik upgraded). This is a great combination. It makes the relatively reasonably priced M140's sound wonderful. I have now invested and maximized in the source first philosophy to the point where the "upgraditis" disease is displaying symtoms of speaker replacement. The Linn path for speaker upgrade has been closed. I missed the Akudoriks which are now discontinued. I have heard a friend's exakt Akubariks - amazing, but not in my price braket.

There are so many speaker choices. I just feel that going away from an active 4-way speaker to a passive 2/3 way is not stepping in the right direction. I've spent so many years on the active path.

I'm intrigued by Kudos. They are configured to work with Linn's exakt system. I've been informed that with the Exaktbox-i one would use amps 1,3,5,7 to drive Kudos speakers. Unfortunately, there is very limited distribution of Kudos in Canada. It seems than in the UK this brand is carried by Linn dealers, so one get the chance to hear them together.

Would there be any experience with comparing the Kudos 606 to the Linn M140's in aktiv mode? Or would it be better to wait and see if / when Linn launches a new generation of speakers. I feel somewhat stuck in an old world of legacy gear.

Thanks

I fear waiting for Linn may be a long one. And no one really knows what they are planning.
With Kudos not being available to you leaves few choices. But if you can, they will open up more options, being 2-way, and from my experience going from 140s to Super20s, bring a huge improvement. I can only imagine a Titan bringing even more to the party.

[akamatsu]

I've taken a very similar path, albeit on a different continent. I'm on my second full Linn system. My first Linn speakers were the Keilidh's. I now have the M140's in Exakt mode powered by an Exaktbox-i (katalyst upgraded), and a Akurate Exakt DSM (utopik upgraded). This is a great combination. It makes the relatively reasonably priced M140's sound wonderful. I have now invested and maximized in the source first philosophy to the point where the "upgraditis" disease is displaying symtoms of speaker replacement. The Linn path for speaker upgrade has been closed. I missed the Akudoriks which are now discontinued. I have heard a friend's exakt Akubariks - amazing, but not in my price braket.

There are so many speaker choices. I just feel that going away from an active 4-way speaker to a passive 2/3 way is not stepping in the right direction. I've spent so many years on the active path.

I'm intrigued by Kudos. They are configured to work with Linn's exakt system. I've been informed that with the Exaktbox-i one would use amps 1,3,5,7 to drive Kudos speakers. Unfortunately, there is very limited distribution of Kudos in Canada. It seems than in the UK this brand is carried by Linn dealers, so one get the chance to hear them together.

Would there be any experience with comparing the Kudos 606 to the Linn M140's in aktiv mode? Or would it be better to wait and see if / when Linn launches a new generation of speakers. I feel somewhat stuck in an old world of legacy gear.

Thanks

Do you have the metal bases for the M140s? You could hold out for Utopik for the Exaktbox-I. These would be inexpensive upgrades that would improve your M140s.

Also, you might consider a Klimax Exakt DSM (System Hub) in the old style. These are going for cheap and can be upgraded with Utopik. But I see you've already upgraded your AEDSM with Utopik.

[JensA]

I've taken a very similar path, albeit on a different continent. I'm on my second full Linn system. My first Linn speakers were the Keilidh's. I now have the M140's in Exakt mode powered by an Exaktbox-i (katalyst upgraded), and a Akurate Exakt DSM (utopik upgraded). This is a great combination. It makes the relatively reasonably priced M140's sound wonderful. I have now invested and maximized in the source first philosophy to the point where the "upgraditis" disease is displaying symtoms of speaker replacement. The Linn path for speaker upgrade has been closed. I missed the Akudoriks which are now discontinued. I have heard a friend's exakt Akubariks - amazing, but not in my price braket.

There are so many speaker choices. I just feel that going away from an active 4-way speaker to a passive 2/3 way is not stepping in the right direction. I've spent so many years on the active path.

I'm intrigued by Kudos. They are configured to work with Linn's exakt system. I've been informed that with the Exaktbox-i one would use amps 1,3,5,7 to drive Kudos speakers. Unfortunately, there is very limited distribution of Kudos in Canada. It seems than in the UK this brand is carried by Linn dealers, so one get the chance to hear them together.

Would there be any experience with comparing the Kudos 606 to the Linn M140's in aktiv mode? Or would it be better to wait and see if / when Linn launches a new generation of speakers. I feel somewhat stuck in an old world of legacy gear.

Thanks

Congrats,
140s with upgraded stands in Exakt mode with AEB-i (K) and AEDSM are in deed a great combo at - at least for a Linn system - a very reasonable price (i.e. well in 4-digit Euro territory here in Germany assuming all components bought 2nd hand in excellent condition).

Unfortunately with the 140s being 4-way speakers makes any further amplification or x-over upgrades quite costly…

My further upgrade path was to replace the AEDSM with a 2018 KEDSM (utopiked) which are being being traded here in Germany for less than 4k.

„Unfortunately“ shortly after having purchased the KESDM my Linn dealer offered me a NGKDSM trade in deal which I couldn‘t refuse….

It‘s a pity that you don‘t have access to the Kudos in Canada as they are really great speakers for Linn Exakt systems.

I eventually went for the Kudos 808 Titans, again 2nd hand.

I really love my 140s - and might even keep them - but Kudos 808 driven Exakt (with 6 of the 8 AEB-i amps „only“) are playing in a total different league, the only problem is that they are really huge „Titans“ having about twice the volume of the 140s.

So, if you can get hold of a pair of Kudos speakers (basically any of the Titan series or the Super 20) in your „neighbourhood“ I would just grab them.

[Andyt916]

@JensA I concur with your view. I recently had the pleasure of listening to my upgraded LP12 through Peter's Naim / kudos 808 system. Phenomenal!

That being said, they are too big and too expensive for me; such is life

[JensA]

That being said, they are too big and too expensive for me; such is life

They are indeed much more expensive than the 140s, actually almost 10 times when comparing the listed prices…
However, this is probably not a fair comparism.
I was seriously considering Akubarik Exakt Katalyst but even by adding the money I have spent for the AEB-i (K) the Kudos 808 were significantly cheaper than the cheapest Akubarik Exakt (K) I have seen sofar.

Another advantage of the Kudos speakers: Unlike the integrated Akubarik Exakt I am not limited to Linn amplification and X-overs and can easily upgrade and even switch between active and passive mode.

[wildwildWes]

Well I have to weigh in here, being a happy M140s owner now (always with the metal bases) for seven years. They really have responded to the upstream upgrades. When I think about what the biggest upgrade was, it was probably going Exakt. I can't really compare them to any other speakers because I've heard very very few. I can say though that compared to the few others I've heard, my 140s have proved to me the truth of source-first.

I am currently suffering from speaker upgraditis however and am weighing my options... but if I end up sticking with these 140s for a few more years that is fine by me.