You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
So, I know there are a few on here with some experience of higher-end turntables. I'm really interested in hearing experiences of ownership of the Linn LP-12. There are a few 2nd hand ones here in Adelaide at present, including an old one (pre-Valhalla) but with a mint Ekos arm and Troika cartridge.
However, Linn seems to have the same love-hate following as some of the more niche bike brands. Some say there's no reason to consider any other brand, while others argue its the most over-rated tosh ever sold. There doesn't seem to be a shortage of turntables in the $A4-5k range (about 2.5k GBP), but they are markedly different in design: some light, some heavy; some complex, some minimalist.
As auditioning turntables is very difficult, I'm interested in hearing about others' experiences. Other models I'm considering are the Pro-Ject Xtension 10 and the Rega RP10.
I've got an SME 10. It's not a sprung TT and needs a solid base. The upside is it needs v little maintenance - none in 10+ years. It sounds wonderful and I think looks good too. However, there are so many components that affect the sound it's difficult to be truly objective
I have a linn LP12 - replaced an Axis. Bought s/h in 1989 with a terms student grant money. Other than the odd change of belt every few years, and a set of hinges for the lid (common weak spot) it's still fine.
note that linn won't service old kit. i'm rather bitter about that, with a classik who's sound i'd loved, that is now broken. still can't bring myself to throw it away, 3 years on. 😐
My first Linn was a 83 model Valhalla with Ittok LVII and Asak cartridge. What I liked about the "old" Linn was its ability to produce great detail but most importantly great music. It has a sound like no other TT. I've partnered my Linns with arms from Zeta, Origin Live and each obviously gives different results, as do the Miriam of upgrades (Lingo PSU, Trampolin etc) but for sheer fun and a "cheap" LP12 the early Valhalla takes some beating and the Ekos is a fine arm plus the Troika is a damn fine cart too.
Seeing as you've found a pre-Valhalla you could either find a Valhalla and fit it yourself (easy do plus loads about) or fir something like a Lingo or Hercules PSU which will make a big difference and a better sound. Oh and my first brand new Linn cost me the princely sum of £375 for the motor, £257 for the arm and £207 for the cart! How times have changed.
Have listened to an Analogue works with a "stock" arm and an SME and was very impressed with both, cheaper than a Linn, still made in the UK, simple but very effective [url= http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/news/article/analogue-works-turntable-one--pound;1200/20513 ]http://www.hifichoice.co.uk/news/article/analogue-works-turntable-one--pound;1200/20513[/url]
I have a Rega RP3 and am very happy with it. Not tried a linn admittedly.
Del - I also happen to have a broken Classik. Any idea what is wrong with yours? We might be able to salvage one from them.
Rachel
suspect it's a processor board problem, maybe related to the memory. it goes in to a loop when you power it up, just re-starting continually. if you jerk around with the start-up options - the stuff where you can set up what volume settings it will use on power up etc., you can get it out of the loop. for a while. 😕
what's up with yours?
Real turntablists use Vestax 🙂
I think Linn tt's look great in an old school way, but the cons seem to outweigh the pros in terms of ownership - they sound too sensitive to set up conditions for the amout of time I'd personally be willing to invest.
I own an RP6 with Exact 2 cartridge and it blows me away. In fact, I played an old Jap copy of Abbey Road on it as an experiment last week as it was a known copy that seems to have been pressed badly - with hiss running through it and a heavily compressed sound. Having heard the same copy on 2 other fairly decent set ups I expected to hear the same flaws - lo and behold it sounds perfect on my RP6. God knows how, it just does.
For that reason, and for simplicity of set up, if I'm ever in the market again with a budget like yours I'd be looking straight at the RP10.
Del - sounds like *exactly* the same issue 🙁
edit - ooooh - I wonder if there is a backup battery in there - might be worth a swap.
Rachel
I have a 30+ year old LP12 given to me by a friend. Valhalla PS and Basik arm. Cartridge is a Goldring Eroica (low output version).
It could probably do with a pro set up, but it sounds pretty good even with my hamfisted efforts. Cartridge needs to be replaced (cleaners damaged the stylus, and it's probably as cheap to replace as to repair).
The bigger concern will be getting decently pressed vinyl....
I am technics 1210 bidextrous and can chip on the hamster so an therefore a turntablist
Well, sadly the owner of the s/h LP-12 with the Troika made my decision for me by deciding to take it back from the shop before I had chance to listen to it. (The shop in question actually primarily sells LPs, but has a corner of the shop for s/h kit, so not a real hi-fi shop).
I think it's just going to be a case of listening. The local Linn specialist has a couple of s/h LP-12s of different specifications, and these are of known history. Sadly neither comes with the arm/cartridge that attracted me to the other one. I think it might end up being a case of dragging my amp and speakers about and listening to a few. The trouble is it's just so difficult to get turntables side by side to audition, and even harder when you want the cartridge to be the same so you're really hearing the difference of the 'table/arm. And I know that if I'm to go for a new LP-12 my budget probably means I'll be with a very ropey arm/cart combo, whereas the Pro-Ject or Rega would give me space to put something decent on them. Even then, it's still far from clear cut how much emphasis you should put on each part of those three components.
Perhaps I'll just choose the one that looks the best?
Perhaps I'll just choose the one that looks the best?
Gyrodec then. I've wanted one for a very long time.
Gyrodec then.
Hmmm. I'm no so sure.
I have Castle speakers and a Naim amp. On looks I thing the understated Linn has it....
I just realised I've owned my LP12 for the last 30 years! Still using the same Mission arm and Ortofon MC15 cartridge. Its still capable of sounding every bit as good if not better than CD although I admit it doesn't get used much nowadays. Only problem I've had is that the lid hinges are getting weak.
They are easy to live with just get an expert to set it up properly put it on a stable surface and you shouldn't need to do anything else.
Surely a 30 year old cartridge would have enough wear to desperately require replacing, if had any kind of real world use?
Naim amps are supposed to pair particularly well with Rega TT's. I run a Rega Elicit as the built in phono stage is particularly good.
If you honestly enjoy fiddling and tweaking then the Linn may be a good match for you, if you prefer the benefit of a largely fit and forget system I cannot recommend Rega's more highly.
Classik owners.....give Darren a call here;
Had a similar problem. He sorted it and gave it a full service. Can't remember exact cost but wasn't too painful.
Surely a 30 year old cartridge would have enough wear to desperately require replacing, if had any kind of real world use?
You're right now I think about it it isn't the original cartridge I think I got the Ortofon in the 90s and it hasn't had much use.