Linn power supplies have evolved over the years, sometimes quietly, sometimes with much fanfare.
Its a bit tricky to say precisely when Linn started to adopt Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) - but it was during the LK era and they appeared in products such as the Kairn pre-amp and Tunebox active crossover. Initially (and, of course modestly) they were branded as Brilliant, then Slimline, then they were just a PS in a product, gradually adopted across pretty much the full range of Majik, Akurate and Klimax units - pre-amps, streamers, turntable power supplies and power amps. Until around 2009 these PSUs were pretty much anonymous, but then Linn made a big fuss about a new generation of SMPS - the Dynamik.
This was gradually rolled out across the then current range of products but, crucially, it was also available as a replacement unit across that same product range. Mostly as a drop-in replacement in Majik and Akurate products, sometimes as a drop-in, sometimes as a return-to-base-for-machining process within the Klimax range. There was much fanfare about this product but, more tellingly, almost everyone who heard the difference opted for the upgrade. Linn provided a sticker for the bottom panel of your kit and a new 5 year warranty for the power supply. It was a big success and probably made a nice contribution to Linn's bottom line.
But hey, a manufacturer offering to make an upgrade available to existing customers is definitely something to be praised. So many other manufacturers expect you to ditch your existing, perfectly good, equipment and buy a whole brand new box. I hope Linn continue this service for many years to come.
Which bring us to the (u)topic of this post. Linn's latest power supply upgrade - the Utopik - was introduced in late 2022, starting with the Selekt (now Selekt Classic) modular streamer / pre-amp / DAC / processor / power amp unit. Soon it was available for the "next generation" top of the range Klimax DSM/3 then gradually rolled out across the rest of the non-power amplifier products, including integrated loudspeakers, streamers, pre-amps and Akurate level Exaktbox processor / DAC units. I added Utopik to my Klimax System Hub streamer / pre-amp a couple of years ago and thought the improvement worthwhile rather than revolutionary. That unit is, of course, digital only, do it was almost a surprise to hear any improvement, but there it was for all (who have heard it) to hear. There are some customers who say they think that it is a bigger upgrade than the Organik DAC, but that's not my perception having heard the 2 separate upgrades in the Klimax DSM which is a streamer, pre-amp and DAC.
So what have Linn got to say for themselves about the Utopik power supply?
Well, here's the blurb, sourced from Ripcaster.co.uk - a Linn Dealer:
"Utopik - the all-new generation of exceptionally efficient and highly responsive Linn switch-mode power supplies. This exceptionally efficient, highly responsive, and precision-regulated power supply design is Linn's first entirely new topology since 2009. Multiple feedback loops measure output versus input at each stage of the power supply, and persistently filter out mains-borne noise and eliminate 50Hz hum, even at extreme volumes. Featuring intelligent Valley Switching, Power Factor Correction, and with precision-regulated and isolated power rails – these power supplies are Linn's cleanest and best yet.
Power is nothing without control: Multiple feedback loops measure output versus input in each stage of the power supply, and persistently filter out mains-borne noise and 50Hz hum, even at extreme volumes. The sophisticated control mechanism at Utopik’s heart is optimised for handling between 90-250Hz mains supply, ensuring that it performs perfectly anywhere in the world without compromise. Utopik is electrically cleaner, and more efficient at higher power than any power supply we’ve ever made. Of course, this is better for the environment and saves on your electricity bill, but efficiency is also a reliable measure of how well a power supply is performing – as energy isn’t being lost as heat or noise. If you improve efficiency, you improve electrical cleanliness.
Intelligent Valley Switching: Utopik is an extremely sophisticated switch-mode power supply. In a sub-optimal switch mode power supply, you have no control over where in the input voltage waveform the switch turns off or on. It would switch anywhere, and randomised noise is generated. With Utopik however, we monitor oscillation at the transformer’s input, and look out for the lowest troughs in the voltage – a technique named Valley Switching. Utopik only throws the switch when at the floor of one of these valleys. With intelligent monitoring and control, we’re therefore keeping voltage as close to the ideal 0V when switching, resulting in dramatically reduced switching noise.
Precision-regulated Rails: Utopik has separate layers of precise regulation on its four power rails. Each has its own feedback loop, so that it is separately controlled, managed and isolated. This improves isolation between the relatively noisy digital power rail – with processors sporadically computing packets of data – and the analogue rails which feed components more sensitive to power fluctuations. Whatever the current demand of any aspect of the whole product, the remaining rails are unflinching.
Power Factor Correction: Switch-mode power supplies are common in modern technology. When in operation, each one of these is intermittently taking short gulps of current from the mains – acute spikes in current draw – which introduces mains-borne noise that affects other products on the grid by producing harmonics in the supply. Utopik modifies its current draw to be proportional to the voltage, and spreads it out over the length of the AC waveform. Instead of taking short gulps, the current draw is spread out to be more consistent over the length of the waveform. This is called Power Factor Correction – and by implementing it in Utopik, we can ensure that the product it’s powering isn’t introducing any distortion to the mains supply in the room, the building, and beyond.
Power Factor Correction is yet another technology in the power supply chain that regulates voltage and ensures that no ripples get through to the output stage of the product as a whole.
Delivering the cleanest possible power to the rest of the chain. Utopik presents a consistent 400V output – anywhere in the world – regardless of mains supply quality."
So there you go. A lot of claims, although to look at, it's physically very similar to Dynamik. Some comment on its switching frequency being much lower on Utopik to explain its performance, but I'm not sufficiently knowledgable to confirm or deny this speculation.
At the time of writing, Utopik can be added to the following Linn products:
Klimax DS (all models)
Klimax DSM (all models)
Klimax Renew DS
Klimax System Hub (all models)
Machined Radikal (original, /1, /2)
Klimax Exaktbox
Selekt DSM (all models)
Akurate DS (all models)
Akurate DSM (all models)
Akurate Exaktbox-6 and -10
Akurate Kontrol (all models)
Akurate CD
Kustom DSM Z4 and Z8
Majik DS (all models)
Unidisk (all models)
Two Versions
There is a physically larger version of Utopik that was released first, then there is the Utopik Miniline (the marketing term, as can be seen above, slimline seems to have made it onto the circuit board labelling). The standard product is available in versions of Selekt and Akurate products and for the Klimax DSM/3. The older, and physically much slimmer, Klimax products seem to have to make do with the Miniline version. As there is only one choice to fit the product you might own, there's no way to directly compare the performance of each version against each other. Most new products have Utopik onboard from their release date - examples being Selekt Edition, Klimax Exaktbox/3 and Klimax Solo 500 and Solo 800. Although the integrated top of the pile 360 loudspeaker is a very recent product, Linn are a little cagey about if it has Utopik or not - there's a fair chance that it is a hybrid product from a PSU point of view, perhaps having Utopik for the lower current areas such as the DACs, and Dynamik for the power amps. But this is purely me speculating.
Klimax Exaktbox
As mentioned previously, Utopik for the streamer / pre-amp Klimax products, such as Klimax DSM, were released early in the Utopik product life. Those with Klimax Exaktboxes have had to wait just over 3 years to see the retro-fit become an option. Even though it is the Miniline version of the PSU that comes to Exaktbox, its still necessary for a Linn dealer to send the unit back to the factory for some internal machining and the installation of the Utopik. My UK domiciled unit was away for about 10 days, which is a very decent turnaround. The PSU upgrade comes with a new 5 year warranty.
Just briefly - Exaktbox is Linn's proprietary multi-channel processor / DAC. It takes an Exaktlink feed from a Linn digital streamer / pre-amp and does lots of stuff to do with phase correction, time alignment and loudspeaker crossover requirements. Its a 6-channel box so is good for up to 6 loudspeaker drivers in mono or 3 loudspeaker drivers in stereo. Its output is fed to multiple power amplifier channels (one channel per speaker driver) and on to speakers which have had their internal passive crossovers by-passed or removed. Of course nearly all Linn speakers are supported with this digital approach to active crossovers, as are many others from third party provider
speakerfilters.
For your investment, unlike with the Utopik upgrade to the Klimax System Hub, Linn provide you with a sticker for the underside of the Exaktbox to show the upgrade has been installed. When the unit comes back from the factory (it has to go back there as the internals need to be machined to accommodate the new PSU) a "Utopik" sticker is provided in the box - it also includes the serial number of the Exaktbox. Its good that this is provided, but its not an ideal solution - the sticker is too shallow and too long to go over the existing "Powered by Linn Dynamik" logo on the base panel, and a bit clumsy looking to sit underneath the existing serial number information. I guess its generic and not specific to the Exaktbox, but that's a bit disappointing at this price. I opted to squeeze it in under the serial number.
Context
Here's the system context of this review:
Sources: CD rips and 24 bit downloads from Minim Server on Melco N1Z / Qobuz streaming service
The Chord Company Sarum-T ethernet cable
Streamer / pre-amp: Linn Klimax System Hub/0 fitted with Utopik PSU
Meicord Cat 6 Exaktlink
Processor / DACs with analogue outputs: Linn Klimax Exaktbox/2 which has the Organik R2R ladder DAC and a Dynamik PSU - this is the item to which the Utopik power supply has been added. This is has the crossovers from speakerfilters installed for the PMC Fact.12 loudspeakers.
Linn Silver analogue interconnects
3x Lejonklou Tundra Stereo 2.5 power amplifiers
Naim SuperLumina loudspeaker cables
PMC fact.12 loudspeakers on Iso Acoustics Gaia feet
Puritan Audio mains cables
Quadraspire Evo racks with Mission / Cyrus Isoplats
Listening Notes
I ran the system for about 10 hours before I started to do any listening. I've no idea if Utopik is considered as needing to be "burned in" but I thought I'd give it some time anyway. At the time of writing the system has been played for around 30 hours - I can't say I've heard any variation over that time period, but obviously can't say that none will happen in the future. Many, of course, say that there's no such thing as burn-in...
Thoughts here are directly related to how the system sounded when the Exaktbox was powered by Dynamik, they're not intended to be absolutes.
Like Utopik for the Klimax System Hub streamer / pre-amp, the first thing to notice is yet another drop in what's going on in the negative parts of the music and the gaps between the music. Yep, a tiny layer of noise has gone - and its a weird one because (like an extremely well set up subwoofer), you don't notice it until its not there. I'd say this was a bigger change to this aspect than the PSU made inside the streamer.
Secondly, it seems that the music has picked up in pace. Of course it hasn't, because the track still plays for the same length of time, but there is a little more urgency - I would guess this has something to do with the reproduction of transients of each new note - presumably there's a little bit less time lag for them to happen. Thankfully this has been achieved without any sign of aggression nor harshness, which is the danger with systems that "crack along". Its a welcome change, not one that should put you off if you like a more laid back kind of presentation - this isn't like a change between warm valves and analytical digital which can be presented as edginess, its just what feels like a timing improvement.
The main change, for me, is in the way that the music interacts with itself, if that makes any sense.
An example is Submotion Orchestra's "Prism" (from "Kites" on SMO Recordings) starts with Wood's floaty vocals underpinned by strings - after about 1m 30s the bass line kicks in. Now this sudden contrast feels greater, the emotional change has more impact, the contrast between voice and backing is greater. Then as the vocals and bass line work more closely together you get a real feel for a collaborative effort building the crescendo across the rest of the track.
On Tash Sultana's "Kiss the Sky" (from "Return to the Roots" on Lonely Lands Records) the lilting dubby background flows more convincingly, the kick drum effect has more thump, the initial cymbal crash has more impact and startles that bit more than before. Its an interesting contrast between the crispness of the rimshot, the brass and the flowing easy going nature of the under-currents. The shimmering guitar part towards the end of the track really adds more lift to the song and makes me wish for a longer version to continue the experience. Overall the track is more fun to listen to and I get into the groove straight away.
Malia and Boris Blank's "Smoldering Ashes" (from "Convergence" on Universal) starts with a tom tom type drum pattern. Previously this was easy to follow in terms of the pattern and the indivdual drum sounds but now it bounces along which gives a more jaunty feel - the toms that have a bass under pinning them have more punch and drama. This track is full of tension but the short punctuations of minor chords, using various different instruments, really add more impact and shades of intrigue. The drum pattern is easier to follow through the whole track.
Bonobo adds a few clicks and twists to the beginning of the track "Brambro Koyo Ganda (featuring Innov Gnawa)" (from "Migration" on Ninja Tune). They might seem a bit superfluous, but actually they weave in and out of the whole track. This weaving in and out is now more relevant and tends to help tie the intro into the whole track. Then there's that bass line - now more punchy, more purposeful and again there's that new ability to drive the track along with more energy but without more aggression.
To find out how an improvement to the presentation of individuals and instruments improves with this PSU, Michael Kiwanuka's recent track "The Rest of Me" (from "Small Changes" on Polydor) is a good example. The resonance qualities of the opening acoustic guitar are richer, more nuanced and add to the feel good factor right from the off. The cymbals are shimmering, adding to the good feeling, not clashing nor jarring - they're full of subtle complexity. The bass guitar, like the Malia track, bounces along to add feeling and groove.
To summarise, this PSU will give you more of a feel for the rhythm of the music, the contrasts, the emotions and the complexities. If it is value for money, or not, is a personal choice. For me its not far off the improvement that the Organik DAC brought to the musical experience. More believable, more engaging.
Now, just one more track...
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