quiet clear mids build quality warm natural sound

could use more inputs

Upgraded my majik to the wakonda. This preamp sounds warmer and more defined. The mids are clearer as well. A nice improvement. The wakonda has the latest power supply which may explain the sonic improvments.

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majik

Full featured preamp, neutral sound

NONE at the price

A highly neutral full-function preamp that performs to it's fullest potential in conjunction with other Linn components, as well as with the Slimline Brilliant power supply. Allows you to hear the characteristics of the source, rather than the coloration of the preamp (as it should be). High quality phono stage is the icing on the cake. As with all components, audition in your system before commiting to purchase.

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Linn LP-12, LK-85, Genki. Meadowlark Kestrel Hot Rod, Tara Master G2

Excellent sound quality - low noise floor, natural timbres, neutral reproduction; excellent headphone amplifcation; highly flexible - 4 line inputs, phono input, 2 tape loops, 2 line outputs, muting and mono switches, full remote control, accepts add-on tuner module; compact size; excellent build quality.

None

This is an excellent preamp - fine, neutral sound; great flexibility and features; top-notch build quality. I had been running a CD player directly into my Pass Labs Aleph 3 amp - an extremely revealing, top-quality component. Adding the Linn Wakonda detracted nothing from the sound of the Aleph 3. Very highly recommended. Needs some break-in before sounding its best.

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Linn Majik; Creek OBH-12 passive preamp.

Trnsparent, allows subtle detail to be recognized, fast

None with this pre-amp, although I have had difficulty with Linn customer service

First I would like to state that I use this pre with all Linn electronics. It is an excellent product. It seems to pass the signal from my source to my amps with no audible change. It allows for excellent detail, yet never becomes fatiguing. I did purchase some defective Linn speakers from a Linn dealer & was met with rude & crude treatment, by the dealer, while trying to resolve the problem. I've contacted Linn and they have not helped. I've purchased Linn from 3 other dealers & have found them all to be nice, but when a company will not stand behind its product, I would, at least audition the unit I was purchasing before leaving the store.

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Adcom 750, Cambridge 500, Onkyo P-304

I USE A WAKONDA AS PART OF AN ALL-LINN SYSTEM (MIMIK CD, LK100 POWER AMP, KEILIDH SPEAKERS). I LIKE IT; AS A PREDOMINANTLY "CLASSICAL", PARTICULARLY BAROQUE, LISTENER, I LIKE THE TYPICALLY "BRITISH" SOUND - VERY CLEAN, VERY CLEAR, VERY DETAILED. IT WAS INTERESTING COMPARING IT TO THE LATEST OFFERINGS FROM ARCAM AND QUAD WHEN I PURCHASED. HOW DIFFERENT THEY SOUNDED! THE ARCAM WITH ITS WARM "IN YOUR FACE" SOUND, THE LINN WITH ITS COOLER, DETACHED SOUND AND THE QUAD SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN. IN THE END THE LINN WON, AND I'M HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS - BUT HAD I HEARD EITHER OF THE OTHER TWO IN ISOLATION, I'D HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH THEM TOO! IT PAYS TO AUDITION. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN I CAN AFFORD ANOTHER COUPLE OF LK100S TO MAKE THE KEILIDHS ACTIVE

The Wakonda is derived from the preamp section of the Majik and is a clear step down from the Kairn. It is basically intended for people who wish to integrate convenience into their systems by adding the Kudos tuner module. This will give better fidelity than the stand alone Kudos tuner since the Wakonda has the slim-line brilliant power supply, and the stand-alone Kudos tuner does not. I would recommend it be used only with Linn electronics and cabling, otherwise the sound could take on an electronicized etched quality similar to that of the Majik used in some other non-Linn systems, hence the quote in HiFi choice about the Majik - "sounds vague and confused". Stacking the Wakonda between two components has a beneficial effect on the sound, making it smoother, however it ultimately lacks the clarity and musicality of the Kairn. If you are looking for a used one, be sure it is fitted with the most recent version of the brilliant power supply, or alter your offer accordingly to account for the cost of upgrading it.

Auditioned Wakonda for 2 weeks and can only give it a 3.5 for sound. Compared to the Exposure pre it sounded kind of dead and could not lay the claim to musicality that the Exposure could. The claim to Linn being better than pres 3 to 4 times it's price may be correct but should be put into context by naming the entire supporting cast that made up the systems you auditioned.Don't get me wrong, the Linn is OK and has all the bells and whistles that one could desire but it simply cannot compare to the 1995 manual Exposure pre or the new remote controlled Exposure pre for sound stage height, depth, detail or pure enjoyment of the tone of instrument and voice. (If I could afford either it would be the new Exposure pre with motorized ALPS potentiometers volume controls)
Supporting cast during auditions were Linn amp/Exposure amp/Bryston amp/Classe' amp; Thiel 2.6 speakers, Royd Prior speakers; Arcam Alpha 8 CD Player, Cardus interconnects and Van den Hul cable.

Cordially
JCB

Featuring the Linn-developed "Brilliant" Switch Mode power supply which operateson any voltage in any country, and which assures an extremely low noise threshhold, the Wakonda remote-controlled preamp
is a sophisticated state-of-the-art control unit. Utilizing Linn's "sneaky module" concept, the
Wakonda can be fitted with an internal tuner, extra amplifier or "Knekt" line driver for whole-house systems.

Linn dealer's will gladly allow prospective buyers to try the Wakond in their own system.

The Wakonda provides performance, flexibility and value. In my experience, it outperforms preamps costing 2, 3, and 4-times
its price.

Neutral Sound, excellent material flexibility

None

I recently purchased this unit to replace my Sonic Frontiers Line 1 pre-amp (great built quality but too damn mellow…needs a pulse!!!!).

The Wakonda has significantly transformed my system from a mellow and basically boring playback device to a sonically flexible (I listen to almost anything therefore this is a plus…) and generally high quality analog 2 channel system.

Better yet, Linn has produced this excellent product at a very un-audiophile price. For the money, nothing touches its' performance while sonically challenging other substantially more expensive pre-amps.

Well-done Linn!

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Sonic Frontiers Line 1