I've been 'out' of Hi-Fi for many years, but I came across a high end amp in a second user shop at a ridiculously low price. This prompted me into thinking about getting a serious CD player to go with the amp. My wife ( a music lover but new to hi end audio) and I visited several hi-fi shops and we were amazed at the prices being asked for really awful sounding CD players. Having had a Linn Sondek LP12 many years ago I decided to find out if their CD players were any better than the others we had listened to. Image Audio (Leeds, UK) arranged for us to listen to the Genki, the Ikemi, and a second user factory refurbished Karik. We took a pile of our own CD's including large orchestral works, concerto's, electric and acoustic rock.

The Genki didn't have any of the steely sound of most CD players and would be revelation to anyone who has only experienced so called hi-fi that you see in the electrical retail chains, but to us it sounded like there was a paper screen between us and the music. The CD tray is truly awful and I cannot believe that Linn have allowed such an off putting feature in the otherwise excellent construction, even though it probably has no effect on performance and generally I'm a believer in spending the money where it most counts - the sound. A price of around £600 would make it a killer buy - but not at the £1000 current asking price.

The Ikemi is built like the Devil's personal surgical instruments. Oooh aaah! runs through you when you press play. The music comes through with most if not all of the sheer gorgeousness of hi-end analog systems but without analog's limitations. The musicians sounded solid, real, and just 'there'. It's a real bargain at the price if you can afford it.

The Karik had very nearly all of the qualities of the Ikemi, and on some recordings (Jerry Garcia's voice on 'Shady Grove') some aspects were even better. The music was more 'out in the room' than the rock solid presentation of the Ikemi, but some will prefer it.

We liked the Ikemi, but the Karik comes close and was (second user price) £1100 cheaper, so we bought it!

Bottom line - if you want CD's to play music and have £1950 burning a hole in your pocket get the Ikemi. If money is a little tighter but you still want that sound, search out a late model Karik.



Recommended: Yes