About The Linn Selekt DSM Katalyst Music Streamer
The Linn Selekt DSM sits in the middle of the Linn streamer range, between the entry level Majik DSM and the flagship Klimax DSM. As usual with Linn, the Selekt DSM is a fully configurable product with connectivity and performance upgrades available. Here we have the Classic Hub with the upgrade Katalyst DAC and Analogue RCA & XLR outputs for connection to an amplifier.
The Classic Hub features powder-coated, folded aluminium casework mounted atop an 8 mm thick, machined aluminium base. It is available in either a subtly textured black or flat silver finish.
Classic Hub possesses a tactile and eye-catching central control dial, and contains hidden LEDs that shine through with a silken glow to indicate volume. There is an array of six machined stainless-steel 'smart' buttons for one-touch access to favourite playlists, artists, albums, or inputs. With their intuitive operation, these interfaces encourage physical interaction with your system.
A broad range of connectivity ensures that Classic Hub can receive and deliver audio from any source imaginable; with a high-performance, integrated, analogue-to-digital conversion stage accepting anything from turntables to CD players, and a host of digital connections allowing connection to video streaming devices, games consoles, and Blu-ray players – ensuring you get tremendous sound quality from anything you connect to your Selekt DSM.
Classic Hub has outputs dedicated to providing bass reinforcement to a subwoofer. There is also an integrated headphone amp with 1/4" jack output for personal listening sessions at home.
Katalyst DAC: Linn's high-performance Katalyst DAC architecture performs the digital-to-analogue conversion process with a high degree of accuracy and finesse. With Katalyst, Linn have reached the absolute pinnacle of performance attainable while utilising trusted and high-quality 3rd-party chipsets.
Through relentless optimisation of the various critical processes adjacent to the DAC itself, Linn have produced a refined data optimisation stage; a highly accurate master clock; independent power supply wells; a low distortion output driver, and a high stability reference voltage level.
The latter is vitally important. At the point of creation, the delicate analogue audio signal is particularly susceptible to even minuscule variations in the reference level, which would cause irreversible damage to the music — heard as distortion or noise. Katalyst's high-stability input reference level eliminates variations during analogue signal creation, giving you deeper insight into your music.
Powered by Utopik: Utopik describes the all-new generation of exceptionally efficient and highly responsive Linn power supplies. Featuring intelligent Valley Switching, Power Factor Correction, and with precision-regulated power rails – these power supplies are Linn's cleanest and best yet.
Configure Selekt DSM: The breadth of possibility within the Selekt DSM ecosystem is vast. Start with your choice of chassis – either Classic Hub as featured here, or the deluxe and higher-performance Edition Hub. Then select your desired DAC performance level – whether Standard, upgraded to Katalyst, or the peak performance of Organik – before considering how your Selekt DSM will be tailored to your own specific application.
Whether you're working your way towards the separates system of your dreams with Selekt DSM as source-only, the highest-performance all-in-one box product available with on-board amps, the heart of your home entertainment in partnership with your TV, or you seek a fully integrated 5.1 Surround Sound receiver; whether your wish is to bi-amp, tri-amp, or even go Exakt with your loudspeakers from a single, luxurious, silver-anodised or black box – Selekt DSM accomplishes all with alacrity.
Selekt DSM is the most configurable digital music player ever. It's a fully customisable and future-proof product ecosystem for hi-fi enthusiasts; a unique, high-performance offering unlike anything else on the market. Make it your own…
Our Take
The Linn Selekt DSM Classic Hub with Katalyst DAC is a smart bit of kit that sits nicely between the Majik DSM and the Klimax DSM in Linn’s streamer lineup. It’s built with a solid mix of good looks and practical design, with a powder-coated aluminium case and a machined base – available in either textured black or flat silver – that’ll fit in well with most setups.
Up top, you’ve got a chunky control dial and six stainless-steel smart buttons that make it easy to flick through playlists, pick artists or switch between inputs without much fuss. It’s got plenty of connectivity too – whether you’re running a turntable, CD player, gaming console or streaming video, the Classic Hub handles it all while keeping the sound quality sharp and clear.
Inside, Linn’s Katalyst DAC does the heavy lifting on the digital-to-analogue front, with some clever design tweaks like better data handling, a stable reference voltage, and separate power feeds – all helping to keep distortion low and detail high. Power comes from Linn’s Utopik supply, which keeps things running smooth and steady. If you’re after a streamer that sounds great, looks the part, and plays nicely with just about anything, the Selekt DSM Classic Hub’s well worth a listen.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: High Performance Network Music Streamer with Katalyst DAC
- Linn Selekt DSM Organik Music Streamer also available
- Aluminium Construction with Acrylic Fascia
- Cut-Glass Control Dial
- Six Programmable Machined Stainless-Steel 'Smart' Buttons
- Wide Range of Inputs Accept Virtually Any Source
- High-Performance MM/MC/Line-In Analogue Phono Stage
- Powered by Utopik – Linn's Best Power Supply Design Ever
- Utopik Power Supply
- Support for FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, DSD (64/128/256), MP3, WMA (except lossless), AIFF, AAC and OGG at up to 24-bit/384kHz resolution
- Wireless Streaming via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2
- MM/MC Phono Stage
- Analogue Input (RCA Pair)
- Space Optimisation
- Exakt Ready
Inputs
- Ethernet x 1
- HDMI ARC x 1
- Toslink x 2
- SPDIF (1 x configurable in/out) x 2
- USB Type-B (Audio Class 2) x 1
- Line Level (RCA) x 1
- MM Phono (RCA) x 1
- MC Phono (RCA) x 1
Outputs
- Exakt Link x 2
- SPDIF (configurable in/out) x 1
- RCA Subwoofer Out x 1
- 1/4" Headphone Jack x 1
General
- Available Finishes: Black, Silver
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 355 x 122.5 x 355mm
- Weight: 8.05 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.