Hello
This is my first posting here! After buying a new pair of Sennheiser HD485 headphones and listening through my receiver, it was apparent just how 'creaky' my Hi-Fi(?) really is now - 1970's cassette player, turntable and receiver! After scanning the Net, the Linn Classik seemed a good replacement for the 'old' receiver but, the general opinion is that the Arcam Solo beats it - true? [AVReview Forum: fatsculler, 19th April 05, et al]. However, I would still like to hang-on to the turntable (Rega Planar 3) and the cassette player (Rotel RD-865), but what about 'inter-connectivity'? Will I,in fact, be able to keep them - any advice please?

Also, I've started downloading music (MP3) to my p.c (legally!). Would the Arcam enable/allow me to play my own CD compilations.

All advice gratefully received.
Thank you.

Hi Stephen,
I ran a Linn classic for a year and loved it.The Arcam is reviewed as better but will cost you more.You need to check though that they both have Headphone sockets for listening as many units these days do not.Should be able to get an as new Classik off ebay for around £500 but make sure it is a Classik K and as late as possible.Adding an LK power amp makes for an excellent upgrade.I prefer FM to DAB so the lack of it on the Classik was not an issue.If cost is not an issue check out the new Primare all in one(reviewed on here).Russandrews.com have developed a unit that allows you to send MP3 wirelessly from your computer to your Hi-fi which may help.

Hello David
Thank you for replying. Yes, the Arcam is a big jump, and I'm still hesitating about shelling-out so much - I'll have another look at e-Bay. I think that 'raising the bar' to the Primare range is beginning to enter into the 'separates' area of better quality and...cost - I can't stretch to that at the moment. Incidentally, I happened upon a specialist Hi-Fi shop in London today: the assistant said they had chosen to stock the Solo, and rejected having the Classik due to its 'inferior' sound quality! Well, maybe you wouldn't agree with that?

Would you mind posting back, and describe/name the unit you saw on Russandrews.com for MP3?

Thanks again:)

Hi Stephen,
Shops that are Linn stockists tend to be passionate about the sound,others and reviewers tend not to be.I can only say that I changed my Classik to a Wakonda pre,Genki Cd and 2 LK140 power amps and am running my Katans in active mode.It's awesome but the Classik sounded excellent with the same speakers and took up a lot less room.
Sorry duff gen about Russandrews,they make an external soundcard to give you improved sound from your pc and it is connected by supplied leads.I will try and find the wireless option(i have seen it somewhere!)and let you know.Regards

I'm afraid neither product can support MP3 files on CD-R... the Solo can't even support CD-R, and the Classik is a bit long in the tooth for MP3 support (2002 is a long time in politics, it's an eon or two in hi-fi).

Of the two, I prefer the sound of the Solo. It's more approachable across a wider variety of music types.

As to record players, you will need a phono stage to go between record deck and amplifier. If you are in a Rega mood, why not go for the Rega Fono?

I send music from computer to hifi via a wireless network. The wireless receiver in the listening room simply plugs into the aux on the hifi. I use apple mac products which work very well for this, but I am sure that you can get a similar setup via windows.