Read the synopsis below or view the full review here

Synopsis:

'The Klimax DS is unlike any other network music devices because it assumes you're starting with high-quality sources, not lossy compressed files...its real glory is handling higher-rez material - not only does it accept native resolutions up to 192kHz, it also upconverts to 384kHz or 352.8kHz.

The Klimax DS shares the slimline chassis style established by the Sondek CD12 CD player and carried on by the Klimax amplifiers and Kontrol preamplifier. That means it's machined from a solid billet of aluminium, which assures it of excellent EMP shielding and mechanical isolation.

When it came to coaxing "Red Book" digits into analog, the Klimax DS was definitely first-tier. But get above "Red Book", even ever so slightly, and the Klimax came into its own...every time I followed the 24-bit version with the 16-bit, I realized I was missing something I really, really wanted.

On to Linn's Studio Master downloads. Barb Jungr's cover of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" from her Walking in the Sun was stunning...Did I mention that it totally rocked? The band - and the Klimax DS - were slammin'...The Dunedin Consort's recording of the 1742 Dublin Version of Handel's Messiah puts you in Edinburgh's Greyfriars Church, and trust me - you want to be there. The performance is spectacular, and the balance of instruments and voices is pehnomenally clear and easy...This is one of the most vivid ways that live music beats recordings, and the Klimax DS conveyed that sense of realism better than just about any component I have auditioned.

I predict that we audiophiles will soon be spoiled with a plethora of choices for legally available hi-rez downloads. Based on my experience with the Linn Klimax DS, I can't wait...the Linn Klimax DS is about as good as digital gets. It's better, when playing hi-rez files, than any "Red Book" player I've heard.

As more and more hi-rez downloads become available, the incentive to own a Klimax DS will increase...The Linn Klimax DS is the stuff that dreams are made of.'