JohnNick72

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $500.00 from e-Bay

Summary:
I love the sound of the Mimik. It provides a very relaxed (analog like) sound that you can listen to for hours without tiring. I have tried every type of music in my collection and I have loved the reproduction from all of them. I am running the player as the primary source for an Aktiv all Linn system (which is the way to go, if you can swing it), and don't feel myself wanting for anything more!

Strengths:
Clear, smooth, & thoroughly relaxing reproduction of everything you can throw at it!

Weaknesses:
I haven't noticed any

Similar Products Used:
This is my first high-end CD player. I had a Sony ES changer, but that hardly counts...

Price Paid:  $500.00 from 2nd hand

Summary:
I've had the Linn in my system for many years now and the number of partnering amps and speakers that I have used is testament to the players ability. Originally used in a system with an Audiolab 8000A and Royd Abbotts, the sound was brittle and quickly became wearing. I almost upgraded the CD at this point but fortunately changed amplification instead to an LFD LS2/PA2. The sonic change was incredible with the same speed and dynamics presented in a slightly laid-back manner. Whereas with the 8000A the details were very bright and pushed forward, the amp swap allowed this detail to flourish musically. Changing from the Royds to ProAc response 2s enabled greater dimension to the music with more sturdy positioning of instruments within the soundstage. In this system the Mimik compared favourably to an LP12-Zeta-Koetsu with differences in presentation as opposed to obvious vinyl superiority. Only upon going to a VTL 5.5/MB125 did the limits of the Linn become truly evident. Interestingly delta-sigma dacs are back in vogue thanks to DSD/SACD technology though the first generation of these players (Mimik, Quad 67, Meridian 506) were quite often criticised in the press. I was fortunate enough to hear the three aforementioned players with Trichord clock mods (clock II) with each player benefitting significantly. A convergence in sound quality could be identified with each player gaining the best of the others. I would consider this upgrade a must for owners of any of these machines. Conclusion: An excellent player that perhaps demands ancillary equipment beyond the price point of the player itself. Bright amplification should be avoided (I can't believe that the Mimik would sound good with Linn amps) and the Naim CD3 (and successors) should be tried if your system requires a more organic feel.

Strengths:
Outstanding information retrieval for a player in this price range. Excellent build quality.

Weaknesses:
Fussy with respect to partnering equipment and poorly produced CDs. Perhaps not as good a general buy as a Naim CD (hence 3stars for value)

Similar Products Used:
Arcam CD(something) - Yuk Marantz CD10 Meridian 506 Naim CD3 Quad 67

Summary:
mimik is upgraded to the new powersupply great suonding piece right now who ever is out there who has the mimik upgrade your mimik

Strengths:
very clean,very musical

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
cap151,speakers audes,cables mit,powercords mit

Summary:
My dealer tried to demonstrate this only in an all-inn setup - where it seemed punchy if a little bright and lacking in fine detail. However, switch to other makes of amp and speaker and it starts to sound a little thin - and, well, average. In the end I bought a second-hand Meridian 203 instead, which I've now had for a year and like a lot.

Summary:
I managed to get hold of one of these as a secondhand buy (500 pounds versus 875 pounds new), and frankly, there is little to touch it at either price range. It's construction and finish is exemplary, it's intuitive ease of use a dream. As far as reproduction of music is concerned, it's neutrality revealed hidden depths to CDs I had not heard before. On the downside it does seem very sensitive to the subtleties of interconnects, amplifiers and speaker cable to reveal it's best but it is worth persevering to find the best blend. Although I am not a supporter of the "one make series" advocated in earlier reviews on this page, Linn interconnects seem the best match. Amplification however is best taken to something that will colour it's output more than Linn will; either warmth through valves or crispness of a more upfront integrated (depending on you musical tastes). As far as keeping up with the competition, we all now that Linn is infinitately upgradable (cards and so), and at the very least it has a digital output!