Linn Sekrit DS

Linn makes very good source components like the LP12 and their DS streamers. Both have been fixtures in my 2 channel setup for years. One of their lesser known and advertised products is the Sekrit DS. It is a Roon ready streamer with a very good DAC. It has digital outputs, analog outputs, and even speaker outputs. It is much smaller than their other streamers and even offers the option to stand it up vertically. This makes it a great option in a headphone setup. I just picked up one of these used for $600 for my desktop headphone setup and have been very impressed with its sound and functionality so far. I am currently comparing the DAC to the Bifrost 2. I previously had the Chord Qutest and Ayre Codex.

Here are some pics and info on the Sneaky DS which is the previous model. They are basically the same. I think the Sekrit has a newer DAC in it.

 

I bought it on US Audiomart. I think retail is $1500 but most sell used under $1k. It is a really good value imo.

 

Linn tries to hide it, for sure... Not on their main site, just in their docs. Can't find detailed specs (not that I deployed all my Web search mojo, though). However, I don't think any of their DS(M) sources are Roon Ready in the official sense, They are "Roon Tested" which in the case of the Linn systems I own means that Roon uses Songcast to talk to Linn gear. Works well 98% of the time; the other 2% are a different matter...

 

Ha! I think you are right. I think they view it as a custom installer product and not a consumer product. That and they don't want it cannibalizing sales of their more expensive products.

Not sure about the distinction between Roon Tested and Roon Ready but Roon immediately detects the device by name and I have had no issues with my Majik or Sekrit. Also, if you click on the signal path it doesn't say Songcast anymore. It now says the device name and "Linn Streaming" as the streaming technology. I've heard some buzz in the past though that sound quality on Roon is not as good as using the native Linn app. I have not noticed this and am not sure if it is true. Maybe it is now fixed with the streaming technology change?

 

Right now I am trying to figure out whether it is worth keeping the Bifrost2 and running the Sekrit as just a transport or getting rid of the Bifrost2 and using the Sekrit as both a transport and DAC.

This device even has an amp in it so you can add a pair of speakers to it and use it as an all in one. Here is a pic of the back of the unit.

 

I think "Linn Streaming" is just Roon branding for Songcast. I know from personal experience and the Roon forums that there are some outstanding issues in Roon-Linn integration that the two companies are working on, supposedly. As for sound differences between the Linn app (Kazoo) and Roon, I don't hear any.

 

I see you have an Yggdrasil and two Linn DACs. Are both Katalyst? Any thoughts on Linn vs Schiit DACs?

 

Both Linn systems have Katalyst DACs in active speakers, there's no way to get them out of the chain to try a different DAC. I got these Linn systems when I moved to some acoustically difficult spaces where Linn's space optimization really changes things. Before that, I had the Yggdrasil with a Hegel H360 amp, KEF Reference 1 speakers and REL T7i subs, in a different, less reverb-y space. From memory, it was more vivid but more cramped in the sound stage than at least the Linn Klimax system, but there are so many other differences that I don't know what to attribute to the DACs. I'll say though that although the Katalyst DACs use AKM chips, they sound nothing like other AKM-based DACs I've heard. Unlike those others, there's no "velvet" or smoothed-out edges.

 

I am loving the Sekrit DS. I decided to return the Bifrost2 and use the Sekrit as both my source and DAC. It is hooked up to my Quicksilver tube amp and my ZMF Aelous. It works seamlessly with Roon or the Linn App.