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Gain a deeper insight into your music

Linn’s 4th Generation DAC Architecture

1991 — Numerik
1998 — CD12
2007 — Klimax DS
2016 — Katalyst

Our new Katalyst DAC Architecture performs digital-to-analogue conversion with greater precision than ever.

Katalyst takes an unprecedented level of control over the critical elements that lie at the heart of the analogue signal’s creation; offering improved Data Optimisation, superior Master Clock, independent Power Supplies, a new ultra-low distortion Output Driver and crucially, for the first time, a high-stability input Reference Level.

The latter is vitally important because, at the point of creation, the analogue audio signal is particularly vulnerable even to miniscule variations in the Reference Level, which cause irreversible damage.

Katalyst’s high-stability input Reference Level eliminates variations during analogue signal creation, giving you a deeper insight into your music.

Without Katalyst

Errors in any of the critical inputs result in the creation of a flawed analogue signal, with audible distortion.

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With Katalyst

Katalyst eliminates errors in the critical inputs, creating the analogue signal with greater precision and less distortion.

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How Katalyst improves on previous designs

Katalyst delivers unparalleled precision thanks to five key areas of improvement.

Reference Level Icon

Reference Level

Now completely isolated from noise to produce a high-stability Reference Level voltage that generates the signal’s amplitude without variation.

Power Supply

Independent Power Supplies

Independent, isolated power supplies are tailored for each process, so feedback from one process cannot influence the performance of another, resulting in far lower distortion.

Data Optimisation Icon

Data Optimisation

Linn-designed data optimisation stage that prepares the digital signal for conversion with greater accuracy, minimising errors right at the start of the process.

Master Clock Icon

Master Clock

A single high precision clock with its own independent power supply ensures greater timing accuracy throughout.

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Output Driver

The new ultra-low distortion analogue output driver prepares the delicate analogue signal for transmission out of the device, making it less susceptible to noise and degradation.

Linn Klimax DS music streamer

Experience Katalyst

Katalyst DAC Architecture takes our best products to an even higher level of performance.

It is featured as standard in our Klimax and Akurate range of Network Music Players and Exaktboxes, and also in Klimax 350, Akubarik and Akudorik loudspeakers.

Upgrade to Katalyst

If you already own a Linn product you may be able to take advantage of the biggest performance upgrade we've ever released by adding Katalyst to your system.

See All Upgrades

Hear it for yourself

Don’t just take our word for it. Experience a deeper insight into all your music by arranging a personal demonstration at a Linn Specialist near you.

Book a demonstration