Linn Akurate DSM

[GuillaumeB]

@guilluame

Sorry to ask prosaic questions again but I noticed that the Akurate DS is £1100 cheaper than the Akurate Exakt DSM which includes a redundant (for Devialet users) pre-amp.  Do you know whether the technology used in the DS is the same as the DSM and hence whether they should sound the same?

From what I've read it would seem to be possible to use Kazoo on an iPad to control an Akurate DS - do you know if that's correct? If they're really going to support Qobuz that would be fantastic for me

Again I struggle to see why the DS is worth £4500 - nice package but fairly simple technology and it makes the Aurenders seem cheap

Hi Philip

It was my original intention to try out the Akurate DS however my dealer offered me an Akurate Exakt DSM instead. The main difference between the two being the addition of a pre-amp and the Exakt connections. In theory they should sound the same however I believe Linn is just about to release an update to all its DS models, namely improved clocks and circuitry. I'm not sure if the model I am trying already has these enhancements or not, I will need to check. I seem to recall reading somewhere that it already does.

But yes Kazoo will work with all Linn streamers. And yes Qobuz is coming next as are some other enhancements to the Tidal experience.

Re values... the Akurate DS is a fully fledged streamer with DAC that also happens to have a very good digital out. I imagine there aren't that many people using it as a pure transport to feed another DAC.

I suppose I wanted to see what the Linn online streaming integration/experience was like and I'm impressed. It works seamlessly. Whether Aurender et al implement something comparable remains to be seen, as a few have already said on this forum it's a rapidly developing market.

Guillaume