Linn/MultiRoom etc was Re: SonicBlue now have Rios o n sale in the UK

["bensbarn2001" <ben_wilkinson@xxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the replies I've received on this.

My situation is that I'm gradually converting a barn which I'm living
in, so I am ready to use the system, but also want to put the wiring
in for the bits I haven't finished.

The issues with wiring now without knowing the final solution aren't
unsolvable, but are a bit messy...

- the RCU box needs to be fixed before plastering and plastering is
next on the agenda for some rooms.
- the CAT5 wiring for the Knekt is to take it from the controller to
the room receiver/amp and then to the RCU, so if you take CAT5 to the
RCUs direct, you also need the other wires.

It seems that PCs are so close to providing the correct
functionality, yet not quite (I'd be delighted if I'm wrong). 
Ideally I'd put a small wall mounted PC (all it needs is a
touchscreen or mouse or something) into every room, connected to a
LAN and with a digital output which can then be fed up to a ceiling
amp - or elsewhere in the room.  This would need sw to control the streamed data into the local PC and also show tracks or tuner details
etc.  Then I could have a dedicated music/tuner server on the same LAN.  Seems like the hardware for all this is now available, but
software is a problem.  Has anyone done/seen anything like this? =

If the KAT5 switcher is going to have all the functionality that you
need to access multiple devices, seems Keith has a heck of a job on
his hands.  Ideally it would allow you to control and display tracks <= BR> (names), handle presets on tuners etc, turn things on and off - all
seems pretty tricky to me (though I'm in the mortal category unlike
Keith).

Tony, the Imerge is integrated into the Linn (in fact they seemed to
come up with the XIVA database on the net which has all the CD
titles, track names etc which is downloaded to the RCU).  It's
cheaper for a 4 output version, but 8 outputs is as much as the Linn
Arkiv.  Extra disc space for these things is a rip-off. 

If I do get the Linn system, I'll attempt to get a copy of the CD for
both of us.

Regards,

Ben
--- In ukha_d@y..., "BUTLER, Tony, FM" <tony.butler@r...> w= rote:
> > I'm glad this subject has come up as I'm at the point of shelling=
out
> > =A320k for a Linn System!!  I do have some reservations abou= t it
though>
>   and would dearly like a solution such as the KAT5 switcher= . 
However
> > that doesn't exist yet and I need to put wires in now! 
>
> Ben - put the wires in by all means - it's the same cable
regardless.
> I have all my Knekt _wires_ in place, + some actual zones set up.
>
> I discussed controlling the KAT 5 switcher from an RCU with keith, but it
> came to a dead end really, for a variety of reasons:
> - Keith hasn't got Knekt so would be unable to test (if he did have it, he
> probably wouldn't be developing the switch!)
> - Linn give nothing away, so it's pure guesswork about protocols
etc etc
> - The demand for this would be very low - especially in comparison to demand
> for KAT5 IR, switcher, VGA units etc
> - Linn might not take kindly to someone trying to reverse engineer bits of
> their system.....
>
> > I agree with all the negative points on the Linn Knekt although <= BR> the
> > way I've seen costs, it doesn't add up to as much as I've heard <= BR> > > quoted here.  Basically, it's about =A31200 per room + =A350= 00 for
the
> > controller + whatever sources you want.  This is probably ab= out
=A3800
>
> Ah, my memory is fading somewhat - I thought I paid 2.5k for the
intersekt
> (an 8x8) maybe it is more - or is it coz you're (presumably) going for one
> you can upgrade to 8 x 16?
>
> The RCU's were definitely 399.  I thought the Line receivers were=
about the
> same - though I only bought one from the dealer - the rest I
sourced from
> eBay in the states!)
> The amps I use are parasound Zamps, which I think were about 250
each.  In
> my example eariler, I just stuck with 400 as an easy number.....
> Ditto the speakers - mine ranged from 150 a pair in the kitchen to just over
> a grand for a bose surround system in the lounge, so again, 400 was a ball
> park average.
> Certainly you can do it for less, but as a minimum you need an RCU and line
> receiver + _some_ kind of amp & speakers......
>
> > actually more expensive if you go this route.  I'm worried a= bout
> > obsolescence of the Linn, although I think this is unlikely as it=
> > hasn't changed much in the past 5 years.  The other plus for= the
Linn
> > system is that you can have one room with outstanding quality just by
> > uprating the amp and speakers and don't have to double up on all =
the
> > sources.
>
> One of the big reasons I went with it - shell out on the
infrastructure now
> & upgrade the amps & speakers when wallet has recovered.... > In terms of obsolescence, I think the major let downs are:
> - No video switching
> - RCU can only count to 255 (a bugger when you have a 300 disc
jukebox)
> - The only streaming media system that will realistically work
(from a
> control perspective) is their own bloody expensive system.
>
> They move quite slowly & seem rather cautious about what they brin= g
out -
> but when they do bring out something, it's usually the nuts.
> (I'm still waiting for a DAB tuner from them to replace my yamaha
analogue
> one!!!!).
>
> > The Imerge CD server provides 4 concurrent CD (stored on hard disc)
> > signals which allows 4 different CDs at once and costs about
=A34k. 
> > I'll probably put this in eventually.
>
> Unless this integrates fully with knekt, you could probably do a PC based
> solution for a lot less.
> Multiple Audiotrons can be supported by a single server apparently (only
> have the one ATM) and they are quite small units, so you could have one in
> each room as a local source if you wished, plus one or more central sources
> (they have IR control so you could beam thru the RCU to control
them).
>
> > So I'd love to be persuaded out of the Linn system as it does have
> > big flaws, but haven't seen anything with quality and flexibility=
> > which is as good.
>
> I can't do that I'm afraid - I h8 the price of the kit, but I love the
> system I have got & would love to expand it further.
> I _wish_ it did video switching, but it doesn't.
> I _will_ be getting a KAT 5 switcher and will probably end up using that for
> upstairs and/or using a combination of the two both upstairs and
down.
> Obviously without knowing the full capabilities of the switch, it's a little
> difficult to know exactly how it will be used......
>
> If you've got the dosh though, what the hell - go for it!
>
> > By the way, I'm sure Linn outlets will negotiate (at least the reps
> > I've been speaking to imply they will) - anybody got any ideas on=
> > where to go for a better price than standard!
>
> Maybe if you're having it all done at once they will move a bit on price.  I
> was 'only' spending 12k with Musical Images in Beckenham and I
think they
> looked down on it a bit because I was doing all my own cabling and was only
> doing a few zones and already had all my sources, so it was a 'low end'
> install really.....
> No chance of a discount, though they 'generously' gave me a Linn
remote
> control for 'free'.
>
> Anyway, I've looked around a bit and I don't think there's much
movement on
> knekt prices anywhere - you have to be an authorised knekt reseller to flog
> the stuff & you have to go on an installer course for a week @ great expense
> (though I had figured out the software in minutes and ended up
showing the
> installer how to use it!!!) and you _have_ to install the kit for
the client
> (at great expense to the client of course) so the usual box
shifters aren't
> gonna have the stuff to sell you.
> If you're pally with your local dealer, I have heard that some
_will_ sell
> you stuff on the sly for you to install - but Linn would get very
shirty if
> they found out.
>
> Just my 2p worth
>
> Tony
>
> PS - if you _do_ go ahead, make sure you get a copy of the disk for > programming the RCU's - otherwise any time you want to make a
change to your
> system, (eg unplugging your On Digital box and replacing it with a SKY
> Digital box - you'd like the RCU to say 'SKY' now wouldn't you?),
you will
> have to pay your installer to come out and do it for you.
> Luckily mine accidentally left one of the disks in my house.
> Sadly, I have since lost the damned thing :(
> And I wouldn't go back to MI again because of the crap service I
had off
> them :<
> So, if you do get it installed AND get to keep the setup software, can I
> have a copy please so I can reconfigure my system?
>
> T.
>
>

Yahoo! Groups Spons= or

ADVERTISEMENT

For more information: http://www=
.automatedhome.co.uk 
Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx 
Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx 
Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx 
List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.