Build, looks, design

Very neutral sound.

I was expecting a lot from this CD player after reading reviews here and elsewhere. Unfortunately, I was very dissappointed. Although everything was 'there', it was presented in such a dull and lifeless way for a £1000 CD player.

I also listened to the Ikemi - different kettle of fish. A lot warmer and more involving (my feet tapped !. Unfortunatley, can't afford an Ikemi.

Similar Products Used:

With Linn Majik amp, Linn Keilidh speakers

None really for the price.

This player is absolutely gorgeous. The sound is something that is laid-back to a point, but has the ability to really thump without fatiguing. There was a guy that has a post here that said "the sound was dull and lifeless". I initially had the Majik amp and it really doesn't do justice to the speakers.

The sound was indeed dull and lifeless. I then upgraded to a Kairn and a Klout poweramp and the sound just came alive. I would be more than happy for this CD player to be a "Final" one. The sound even at low levels has a lot of welly. Bass lines are tuneful and the mid-range sparkles. Something that was obviously there before but which the Keilidhs refused to produce because the amplification wan't good enough.

On the basis that I would be happy for this to be a final player, I'd give it 5 stars. I'm upgrading however to the Ikemi tomorrow which I'm thinking is going to be SUCH a treat.

Similar Products Used:

Naim CD players, Arcam, Keilidh speakers, Kairn preamp, Klout poweramp

This player is absolutely gorgeous. The sound is something that is laid-back to a point, but has the ability to really thump without fatiguing. There was a guy that has a post here that said "the sound was dull and lifeless". I initially had the Majik amp and it really doesn't do justice to the speakers.

The sound was indeed dull and lifeless. I then upgraded to a Kairn and a Klout poweramp and the sound just came alive. I would be more than happy for this CD player to be a "Final" one. The sound even at low levels has a lot of welly. Bass lines are tuneful and the mid-range sparkles. Something that was obviously there before but which the Keilidhs refused to produce because the amplification wan't good enough.

On the basis that I would be happy for this to be a final player, I'd give it 5 stars. I'm upgrading however to the Ikemi tomorrow which I'm thinking is going to be SUCH a treat.

Very MUSICAL one box solution. For a fraction of the price, though, you could get a MSB link DAC that is simply superior in every way and addresses DVD audio upgrade potential. I question the rationale of companies such as Linn in producing pricy CD players such as this with the trend toward DVD. Compare with the Link DAC before you buy.

Dynamic, detailed, musical player; slightly laid-back presentation similar in overall character to my LP-12

Absolutely NONE at the price point

This is just a GREAT player, period. And this is from a vinyl diehard. This player makes you want to get more music on CD, it has such a musical and enjoyable character. I can't accout for the less than positive comments made by others, but when paired with quality components and interconnects, and given sufficient time to break in, this player is the hands down favorite in it's price range.

Similar Products Used:

Linn Wakonda with slimline brilliant, Linn LK-85, Meadowlark Kestrel Hot Rod

Terrific detailed sound. Wide soundstage.

Requires good other eqipment to bring a 3D feeling.

I can say that I have never heard such good performance for such low price. After comparing with other players in the same pricerange, this one beats them all.

This statement comes with one exception however. If the other equipment used is of not-so-good-quality, it shows tendencies to bring you a 2D-like soundstage. The picture of the sound will not be around you. But I can definitely tell you that this is due other reasons such as:
badly placed speakers, bad interconnects, amplifications, speakercables, interference problems, etc.

I plugged in my new Genki into a very old Rotel 930AX amplifier. The speakers were wrongly placed and there were severe problems with echoes in the room. The sound was terrible! My girlfriend went mad and I got not so happy...

After putting up stuff on the walls, carpet on the walls and plugged it into my Linn Kolektor preamp combined with the Linn LK140 poweramp, things changed. Dramatically.

The brand new amplifiers tweaked by my retailer played it all right. The sound got so clear and CD's played in a way I have never heard before. A way I thought was not possible at my home, with my tiny wallet.

Now friends are calling me again, and the neighbours are complaining. Everything is as it should be!
I have to tell you that this system is played through a very old pair of Linn INDEX speakers passively without bi-wiring.

Go get one you too, if you cannot afford an Ikemi (or CD12). My opinion is that the Genki is the best player for its price ever made on Earth.

Similar Products Used:

Arcam Alpha one yikes*

Nicely balanced sound; small size

Among the worst ergonomics I've ever encountered. No 24-bit/96k processing. Sensitive to cables and AC conditions.

The Linn Genki has a well-balanced sound that is quite self-effacing. This is what you want. If you took the usual laundry list of sonic traits, the Genki would score good to above average in all parameters. It doesn't do any one thing extremely well, but it has no faults, either. Sonically, instead of bowling you over with spectaculars, it just plays what's on the CD.

This unit's ergonomics are absolutely terrible. The flat plastic buttons don't feel right. The display is uninformative. The remote, while it does have a strong beam, has the buttons laid out illogically. You will not be able to use it in the dark.

The unit is sensitive to vibration. Putting cones, pucks, or vibrapods under the unit changes the sound slightly, each one elliciting a different shading. Not a major change, mind you, but one which can tip the balance in or out of favor.

The unit, for better or worse, reflects the cleanliness and consistency of your powerline. I got the Genki to open up (sonically), by using it with a Vans Evers Refernce 85 and Kimber's new PowerKord Gold, the one with Watt-A-Gate 330 and 350 plugs at the ends.

The Genki is also revealing of interconnects. Ultimately, I found the XLO Signature 1.1 to be the best match. I read the other posts, and noticed that some of them complained about the Genki not being as fast-paced or slamming as the Ikemi. I think some of this is due to the interconnects. Other than the XLO Signature, the Kimber KCAG was the only other affordable cable that didn't slow down the sound of the Genki.

Finally, I got cleaner sound by placing a Polycrystal Dissiblock on top of the unit. The Dissiblock didn't roll off the very tippy top as did a Bright Star Little Rock 3.

After re-reading the other reviews, I think that the others didn't take the time to experiment with accessories. I don't think the other Genki owners/users know what it is capable of. If you do audition the Genki, be sure to play around with it. You maybe surprised at how its sound changes, as you mess around with anti-vibration devices, cables, and powerline conditioners.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 5000, various Sony ES players, Rotel RCD-971; CAL Delta, Theta Data Basic II and Jade; Theta DS Pro Basic IIIA

Sonic Nirvana in this price range!

Flimsy CD tray

Let it burn in for a few days. What is the "correct" sound of the recording that you are listening to? You can get a cdp that has more punch in the lower end or more brightness. Even with the dcs Elgar, is that "exactly" the way the music was meant to be heard? My point is, every cdp will have its own 'sound'. The Genki has a presentation that is ultra smoothe and makes me want to keep listening to more music. It isn't harsh but has outstanding detail. The bass is tight without what I feel would be coloration. Ya want more bass, get a subwoofer! We all have our own taste in music as well as how it should sound. This player does it for me 100%! There is something about the sound that keeps me wanting more. I have not enjoyed sitting in the stereo "sweet spot" like this for quite a few years.

Similar Products Used:

Rega Planet, Arcam 9, Rega Planet 2000,

Very tuneful player, parameters such as rhythm and musicality are absolutely excellent.

Ultra-cheap CD tray (mimik style), lacks the control and refinement of its big brother Linn Ikemi, some may find the musical presentation a bit forward.

The Genki really excels in tune, melody and rhythm. At this price point, there are very few (if any) competitors matching the sheer musical pleasure flowing from this entry-level player from Linn. The musical presentation is colorful, extremely tuneful and loads of fun, not at all as "laid-back" as the Linn Karik. The HDCD chip works very well and adds yet another layer of detail to HDCD-encoded discs.

If you can live with the flimsy CD tray (quite embarrasing for a player costing over $1000) and the everything-but-flashy design, You really ought to audition this player. It is IMHO clearly superior to everything I've heard in this price range (including Arcam Alpha 9, Top-flight Rotels, NAD, Teac) including the Linn Karik III.

If You want more control, detail and warmth in addition to the good qualities of the Genki, save some more money and buy the Linn Ikemi (a truly great player). But at this price level, the Genki is a true bargain.

Similar Products Used:

Linn Karik III, Linn Ikemi, Arcam Alpha 9, Rotel 971, Teac

Detailed sound

In your face, 2-dimensional presentation

While the Genki has been receiving raves in this outlet, I have to disagree with the majority. I was a bit disappointed with the player. True, the souns is VERY detailed, but almost too detailed to the point of being unmusical. After extended listening with a variety of interconnects, I found the presentation to be utterly 2-dimensional and etched sounding. While the hyper vivid resolution might sound pretty cool at first, after extended listening the sound becomed fatiguing. AND it sure as heck doesn't sound like an LP12--- one that's working anyway!

Similar Products Used:

Wadia 860, CAL ALpha/Delta