Linn Classik Movie System Di

Single box solution for multiple needs

By Michael Jones

March 2004

Linn Classik Movie System Di. $7995

Every few months I look at the motley collection of equipment that makes up my hi-fi and home theatre system and sigh. I'd like it to take up far less room, for there to be fewer boxes and fewer cables. And definitely fewer remote controls!

The Classik Movie System DI is Linn's answer to the complexity of modern systems. Inside one small box is all of the electronics you need for both hi-fi and home theatre. A disk player (Linn call it a CD/DVD engine) handles both CD and DVD. All of the necessary decoding for the various movie formats (Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II) is here, plus the ability to use straight stereo for your music CDs. And amplification, rated at 75 watts into 4 ohms - probably around 45 watts into the usual 8 ohm standard - for five speakers. All of this within a box 320mm wide by 325mm deep and 80mm high.

The front panel has a small selection of buttons for controlling the Classik DI. While it is easy enough to do so, I suspect that most people will be using the remote control. The rear panel is very crowded with audio and video inputs and outputs. Speaker cable connections are via those awful BFA connectors (they're like reveres banana plugs). Linn must be the only company still using these devices. Please stop.

Also on the back are what look like computer Ethernet connectors. That's because they are. Linn have developed a multi-room system called Knect (Linn-speak for "connect") based around cat-5 cable for connections. Cat-5 cabling is the same used to wire up your computer Ethernet system.

One major change from the earlier version of the Classik Movie (which we reviewed in August 2002) is the ability to decode surround sound for external sources. This meant, for example, that you could not decode surround sound from a Sky TV box or from a VCR. The newer version does allow for this basic need. We were not the only ones caught out by this - I know of Linn dealers who were caught unawares until their customers complained.

There are two versions of the Classik Movie DI. One, with a RGB scart socket, is suitable for use with European TVs. The second, with component video outputs, is suited towards modern projectors, plasma screens and component-equipped TVs.

On the whole I found the Classik DI pretty easy to use. The remote control appears to be modelled on those from Loewe televisions - too many buttons at first, but I soon found my way around it.

Germanic battles

The picture quality on the Classik Di is excellent. Plugged into my Loewe Arcada, I saw superb shadow tones (the ability to see into darker areas) and highlights. One of my video test pieces is the Germanic battle scene from Gladiator (via a DTS sampler DVD). There's a lot of visual detail in the dim lighting of this scene, with the Classik DI doing a superb job reproducing it.

The section of Gladiator also exercises the amplifier and speakers in any home theatre system. Many home theatre systems can change character as the sound gets louder, becoming harsher and losing control. Instead of displaying this flaw, the Classik DI retained its composure and simply became louder. This excellent result suggests that the amplifier section of this small box is well designed.

For George

Play something a little less warlike, such as the Concert for George and the qualities of the Classik DI come through. The picture on this tribute to the life and music of George Harrison is superb and the Classik handles the soundtrack very well. For example, many home theatre system have trouble reproducing instruments like bass guitar very well (perhaps because many manufacturers, and home theatre enthusiasts, seem to find loud explosions of more interest). Through the Classik DI it was easy to hear the bass guitarist throughout the DVD, giving some credence to Linn's claims of pitch accurate sound.

On music the Classik DI did a very good job, particularly for a system that also handles multi-channel movie soundtracks.

The Classik Movie DI is an admirable performer. Sure, you're probably paying a little extra to squeeze everything into the one small unit, but the Classik DI does such a good job on both music and movies that you'll quickly forget that and enjoy the performance. The Classic DI is the natural choice for the space conscious music and movie fan.

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