Price Paid:  $700.00 from 2nd hand

Summary:
Great Player!! Use in an active system, 2x LK140, Keilidhs. Very much detail, heard things on my CD's I never heard before. Haven't compared it with an Ikemi though.

Strengths:
Solid build and it plays MUSIC.

Weaknesses:
Linn has no more spares for this player, hope it doesn't break down ........

Similar Products Used:
Marantz CD72 MKII

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from 2nd Hand

Summary:
This is a bargin like no other at the moment. £1000 buys you a £3000 player now, and this combo produces a sound better than anything i've heard so far especially for the small outlay. It's buils quality reeks of class, a solid all metal transport, not flimsy plastic, a solid remote, and don't believe all you read, this player can actually sound better in other systems, all Linn sounds cold and thin at times, if this player is used with a smooth solid state or class a or tubes it will produce a seductive sound like the sweetest siren, hollographic imaging, depth and detail, ok bass not so heavy handed a some but what is there is utterly 100%, I noticed one hell of a difference when i purchased a real pair of speakers, the Zingali Overtures 3s must bring out the Branston.

Strengths:
everything except last octave of bass

Weaknesses:
nothing i ve found, for the money comes close

Similar Products Used:
Linn, Naim, Marantz, John Shearne, Cyrus, proac, zingali, nordost red dawn.

Price Paid:  $1670.00 from Scala Hifi, Aarhus Denmark

Summary:
My review is for the Karik III/Numerik II combo.

In my oppinion this is the best player on the market, it plays A LOT more music than the Ikemi (which has way too lean bass and is way to up front if you ask me), but it sounds less hifi'ish and impressive, so no wonder some people prefer the Ikemi, at least until they come to their senses! :-)

Now the Ikemi has been introduced the Karik/Numerik can be found cheap 2nd hand and it makes it a great bargain.

I have discovered that all new Linn products sound best together - one should not mix i.e. Ikemi with Kaber speakers and Karik/Numerik with Ninka - the overall sound just doesn't have timing.

I believe the "new" Linn products are not as good as the "old" ones - I personally do not like the new sound, which i too lean and upfront.

I love the Karik/Numerik player and the Klout amp and recommend them to all music lovers!

Best Regards
David

Strengths:
I could write pages, but I'll sum it up - The Karik III/Numerik II just plays music - HIGH FIDELITY!

Weaknesses:
If you love Levinson, Krell and Classé, you could find some, but if you love music, you can't wish for more!

Similar Products Used:
All Linn, All Classé, All Sony ES, All Holfi, All S-series from Denon, All Thule, Advantage T1/DAC1, SAT CDFIX, Vincent's biggest, Some big Marantz models, Rotel 965BXLE/971990/991AE, Mission DAD3, Wadia 830 and 21, Copland 288.

Price Paid:  $1100.00 from stereotype

Summary:
to all of you that want to buy this cd.
it sound good only with other linn product (majik for example) so you have to spend more money for this pleasure.
its agood product if you have money.

Strengths:
gentle audible sound

Weaknesses:
good only with high class linn amplifier or numeric d/a

Price Paid:  $2500.00 from Audio Synthese

Summary:
I've got Numerik+Karik III great music I had the two piece for 2.5K and it does a real great job but it is not as good as the Ikemi. The Ikemi was a little bit more precision.
The YBA CD3 sounded good, but it was less precise.

Strengths:
No color, great precision, and good price

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
3D Labs, Teac P30, YBA CD3