Rofl. I apreciate the heads up. I legit may not have room for it without throwing it in my folks storage unit (benefits of living walking distance from your folks for ya)
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Okay, I believe I owe some more in-depth impressions so ignore EVERYTHING I said in the very very first post. Everything!! Lol
I think I understand this DAC a bit more now, so please let me have a fresh start 
…
TLDR; a technically well-performing and very capable ‘reference’ yet relatively forgiving DAC, on the neutral relaxed side of things
Overall, I think the satie does a really great job of balancing being forgiving and revealing. It’s forgiving enough but without sacrificing its technical aspects. And it’s revealing enough to make crap still sound like crap but a bit more bearable. That being said, it trades a bit of energy and excitement (particularly in the upper mids) in favor for a slightly smoother and a bit more relaxed presentation (at least compared to the amber). Though it wasn’t really a problem as a whole for what it does in exchange imo.
I don’t think this is going to be that fun, lively, and hyper engaging kind of DAC. Instead, it sounds more like a technically well-performing and very capable ‘reference’ yet relatively forgiving DAC, on the neutral relaxed side of things. I do think it leans more on the micro side of things and with bass on the tighter side (whereas amber has a warmer punch to it for example), also with really great tone/timbre (very natural). Spatially, I think it’s very accurate here offering good verticality and dimension but on the more intimate side with its width and depth. This is actually the first time I’ve heard something staged vertically well, as I didn’t get that with neither the spring 3 or amber 3. Also very good inner-detailing with really great micro dynamics but not in an in-your-face fashion. All the detail is there but it doesn’t force itself onto you. It’s not as strong macro dynamically but it’s not disappointing either. It also has a really nice black background and really great separation.
So yeah, I think it’s a really nice DAC and a definite sleeper here in the US. I enjoy it quite a bit and thought it was worth gambling for, certainly at the price offered. I didn’t think I’d enjoy the more relaxed nature of the satie given my slight preference for more exciting/livelier things, but it balances this well and in a manner that still engages me with the music. Things may be a bit disengaged but it doesn’t lose focus or coherency either.
I was looking for something to elevate the performance of my system and, needless to say, the satie offered that in spades. I’m pretty satisfied and content with it, which is something I truthfully couldn’t say about the holo spring 3 or the lampi amber 3 (if you’ve been following my posts you’d know). Nothing against those DACs, I think they’re all good, but the linn satie is the first DAC I’ve heard that leaves me with a certain degree of contentment (for now). Though this doesn’t alleviate any curiosity or desire to try other DACs (but I guess that means I would have to look at DACs around its price range now 
).
With that said, I’ll post any updates if anything major changes over time. Hopefully, I don’t take back these words after some months roll in. Lol
The next major post will likely be on the differences b/w all the different filters and what I prefer.
What I think are standouts:
- natural tone/timbre
- really great extension on both ends
- forgiving and pleasing but still very resolving
- great extraction of low-level info (great micro dynamics)
- good handling of texture throughout the frequency range
- tight bass with great command and control
- nimble and slightly delicate treble
What I think could be improved:
- not as macro dynamically strong but not disappointing either
- may lack energy/excitement for some but wasn’t problematic as a whole
- might not have the last word in technicalities for the price (new) but it is far from disappointing (this is just a guess)
Side notes:
- AES/EBU over USB all the way
- No extra fancy features; very simple DAC
- Display is great because it’s not distracting
- Not a light show like the lampi
- Preamp is really nice
- Wish it had physical buttons on the unit itself
Btw, somebody buy that satie on sale already if it’s still on… Like, seriously! Lol
Edit: looks like ad’s off now
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This was good, don’t worry if you change your mind on something yet again, go ahead and give impressions whenever you feel you better have a grasp for a piece. These seem like “sleepers” that lose value because of lack of name recognition, I like used items like this they bring good value IMO. 
Thank you for taking time to give us an update.
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Aaand the ad is back up… guess he subtracted a dollar. lol
@NickMimi do us all a favor and buy it to compare to your berk. It’s super light too so you can easily move it around and experiment. Please and thank you! 
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It’s a good looking unit! The only design quibble from observation would be that at this level, I’d expect more than one analog output. At this price point though it seems like a great way to get into the deeper end of high end.
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Thanks a lot for your efforts and feedback!
Also interesting about your tests with the different digital filters. I assume they make some difference, as they use the ES9038PRO chip and have strong development relationship with ESS Sabre.
LinnenberG is a sleeper, but has some fanboys in the audiophile junkies community here in Germany. You see very rarely something in the used market. Satie I think is just underestimated, as there are so many DACs out there (with decent quality)…really hard to decide!
P.s.: still waiting for my Weiss 501 4ch upgrade, as they move to ES9038PRO as well (Daniel send me a message, still massive delay on chip delivery 
)
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You bet! I’ll give it a dive soon-ish. The california heat wave here is a real mood killer these past days.
Oh that’s right, I guess I should add some synergy notes on the hps I’ve tried so far, in case it might be useful. It won’t account for any amps though. I’ve mainly used utopia, d8kp, mysphere, and ie900…
Utopia: Really really great synergy imo. Potentially lacking in the macro capabilities of the utopia and at times can smooth/round over some tracks just a bit too much. But other than that, I think it greatly boosts/complements the utopia’s strengths, delivering plenty resolution along with that nice smoothness. Vertical staging had me really impressed here and the treble performance was outstanding.
D8kp: Really enhances on the textural capabilities of the d8kp. My one caveat is that depending on the recording it may sound a bit too harsh and revealing for me. I’m typically not the biggest fan of very sharp staging like how I think the d8kp does it, but the pairing made it so that it sounded more natural and “weaved-in” (if that makes sense). It also filled in the slightly pulled-back mids of the d8kp and made it an even better all-rounder imo. And bass is just !
Mysphere: Sigh… Still can’t stand the cable, I think it’s really holding it back. I’m not getting as big of a resolution/performance jump as the other two above. But it still sounded great and can only predict that it will sound even better as I await my brise cable.
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@hifiDJ until something actually leaves this house as Sold or traded i’m on a freeze…(w/ the exception of inbound items already on order 
) I have run out of room to store items and at this point it will take me years to cycle through the many different combos already at my fingertips.
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Running out of room is so much more boss than running out of money.
I’ve run out of both!
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For those who don’t live near California, I took this screenshot of my phone’s weather app on Tuesday:
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Not if you live in socal. It would be easier for me to afford grand utopias than it would to afford a dedicated listening room…
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Huh, that’s weird. The Satie is no longer on linnenberg’s website. I wonder if they discontinued it? That’s a shame if so, it’s not even that old (2019 I believe). Or maybe he just decided on the Telemann as his only dac?
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laughs in apartment living
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no worries, just got a message from Ivo 
conclusion:
he doesn’t do any USA/APAC export anymore EU welcome…
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Interesting, wonder what caused that change (well, I guess the lack of popularity or even visibility over here might be the answer lol)
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I assume export costs and he doesn’t do mass production, nor has real good retail partnerships. Ivo is more on the “nerd” side, than “sales-man”…
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… This, uhh, took way longer than expected as I just kept putting it off, but I had some impressions already written on the different filters soon after my thoughts on the satie. Oops!
Anyway, here are some of my notes on the various filters of the satie. There are 6 total but I only spent time on the first 4. I didn’t like the last two but I’ll revisit them eventually…
Note: Differences are subtle… I’ll minimize using phrases like “a bit” and “slightly” for convenience sake (it’s implied); just wanted to be clear. That being said, I found the slight shift in presentation meaningful enough to further enhance synergy depending on the system (in this case, hps).
FIR, fast roll off, linear phase (default)
AKA; “the dress-to-impress filter”
I can see why this would be the default. I think this filter is the most impressive in terms of technical prowess, space, and extension. It aims to impress by giving you everything right off the bat and has the most revealing (sort of analytical but not really) presentation with the tightest most extended bass, the most extended top-end, and the most open airy stage. This is one of my top two favorites.
Favorite pairing: utopia og & mysphere 3.1
Why: An impressive sound all around (for both hps) while delivering gobs of resolution without sacrificing too much organicness. The very tight and extended bass helps with the overall definition and quality of bass without sacrificing too much punch/slam/naturalness (on these two hps). Also, the impressive sense of space creates a nice immersion for the two hps.
FIR, slow roll off, linear phase
AKA; “the I didn’t know what to name it filter”
This has more slam and a rounder bass overall than the above filter (not as tight); they’re both similar as the names would suggest. It’s more exciting in its treble presentation but perhaps “slower” in overall control/immediacy/incisiveness particularly in the mids. Although this is probably my third/fourth favorite, I didn’t like it as much as the other two.
Favorite pairing: nothing really but it isn’t bad, just liked the other two more
Why: N/A
IIR, fast roll off, minimum phase
AKA; “the natural filter”
This one trades some revealingness, extension, and openness for an overall more natural presentation. In addition to that, vocals are presented intimately. Additional warmth and roundness was gained for a more natural bass response, albeit with less extension. Treble is less extended as well and loses some air up top. If tone/timbre and a natural presentation are your priority, this is the one (it’s my other favorite filter).
Favorite pairing: d8kp and ie900
Why: For both, it shaves off that bit of excess treble energy and loosens up the bass in a natural way. On the d8kp (first filter), treble energy can get a tad excessive (on some tracks) and the bass was a bit too tight making it sound somewhat unnatural. On the ie900 (first filter), same thing actually.
IIR, slow roll off, minimum phase
AKA; “the chill-chill filter”
Most similar to the filter directly above (IIR/fast) but has a slower overall transient response. It kind of chills things out a bit in an inoffensive way. So, it’s not as engaging as the other filters although, it is punchier and bloomier in the bass.
Favorite pairing: nothing really but it isn’t bad, just liked the other two more
Why: N/A
What I liked most: FIR/fast (tied for 1st); IIR/fast (tied for 1st)
What I thought was good: FIR/slow (2nd); IIR/slow (3rd)
What I didn’t really like: Apodizing/fast; Hybrid/fast (will be revisited eventually)
If there are any filters included in a DAC I usually pick the one I like and leave as is, but the satie filters are actually pretty nice and well implemented. Differences were subtle but impactful in the overall presentation and it can be a worthwhile tweak to further enhance synergy or better accommodate one’s taste.
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Just a lil update…
So previously I used an allnic zl3 pc for these impressions, now it has been swapped with a zl5 pc… I feel like the stuff mentioned above no longer holds true. It doesn’t sound slightly relaxed to me anymore which is weird because I don’t think the zl3 is relaxed whatsoever. Oh well, go figure. I’ll take it! Lol
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Hi guys,
I’ve just seen there’s different Satie DACs, I thought they all usually have symmetric XLR ins/outs only, but just seen one with RCA as well… is it two different generations?
Thanks
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