Best Turntable for the Price - Linn Basik
I'm sure there are some excellent TTs at that price point, but my point is the comparison an old Linn's build quality and sound to the Rega RP5 and one of the Music Hall TTs, for my taste the Linn is the winner. It says to me I'll have to move up to the next level of TTs when it becomes time to upgrade. (Actually, I would like to find a local VPI dealer). |
I have the Basik with an LVX. I use a Shure V15 RS with a JICO MR stylus. I also have an Alexandria like the OP. My Alex does not bow to the Basik. It's been some time since I had them side-by-side, though. At that time the Alex had an Oracle straight arm (Jelco SA250 st) comparable to the LVX. I've since traded that in for a Sumiko MMT. I should have kept the Jelco for the Linn!!! Dummy. Looking on the used market, I find that it's usually cheaper to buy an Axis with an LVX Plus than just the tonearm. I was wondering how the Axis compares to the Basik. Has anyone heard both? |
I’ve owned a gently used Linn Basik/Akito rig for a few years now (after storing my LPs and not having a TT for a while) and although I keep threatening to replace it before it dies and becomes useless (a stupid reason maybe), it stays. It had been well taken care of prior to my owning it, and It simply sounds amazing with the relatively inexpensive Sumiko Pearl cart (recently re-tipped). I had tried the Linn K5 which is just OK, an AT440 that was too bright, and then a local "audio salon" friend turned me on to the Pearl…why does this cart sound so good? I'm a pro sound engineer/musician and am relatively picky about sound but I never listen to this rig and wish it sounded better as it's dynamic, accurate, and clear. I replaced the fractured cover hinges (not expensive), and I replaced the DIN cable with a Mogami Neglex based Jelco which utterly rejects noise and hum from lighting and all that, and is sort of a hot pink color (!). I never planned to keep it this long but man…it simply kills. I clean my LPs with a Spin Clean and the older LPS going back to the early 60's never fail to amaze, and I can't believe my 70's KLH Pickering didn't ruin 'em. I bought a Cambridge 640P years ago mostly due to the rumble filter (and great reviews), and use that with a Pangea P100 power supply…not so hip but, again, sounds fabulous. The Axis seems fine but it has that speed switch which appears to get out of whack eventually…the Basik is so damn simple, and, as recommended in the manual, it seems to work best on a lowish light weight stable table. I have a sub near it and it doesn’t even blink…love the Basik! |
The Linn Axis is a great entry-level deck. But it really deserves a better arm than the Akito, but it's usually not worth the cost to upgrade to the Ittok. IMO, of course. It's a great time to be turntable shopping in this day and age. There are several great turntables in the $1,500 price range. One that you may not be aware of (because we just introduced it) is the new <b>Edwards Audio TT1SE-J</b>. This excellent turntable looks and sounds great, and features the outstanding Jelco SA-750D tonearm. Here's a link: http://http//www.audiodistinction.com/edwards-audio-turntables All Edwards Audio products are made in the UK and provide high quality at affordable prices. *Disclaimer* Audio Distinction is the authorized U.S. dealer for Edwards Audio. |
Let me respecfully disagree with the previous "shameless promotion" sentiment: most of the dealers I was visiting in Chicago and now in LA are audiophiles first, they are not car salesmen. Maybe I was just lucky, but an advice from a dealer is as "weighty" for me as a review in Stereophile or a friendly nudge from a fellow-AGoner... |
We're all bombarded by ads everywhere and forums should provide a "commercial free zone" at least in the discussion content. A "disclaimer" seems fine if the dealer is simply noting an opinion bias, but posting links to their sales material after blatently pitching a product they happen to sell seems sleazy and cheapens the dialog as well as making the dealer look like they're fishing. Lame. |
Does anyone have any experience with a Jelco on the Basik? Also, why does the Basik sound so good? It's a mystery to me. The motor is nothing special, nor the suspension. Is it the lack of a separated arm board? The platter? It's not the felt mat. Mine sounds better with cork. I just don't get it! Maybe it IS the LVX. |
I think the Basik was simply well thought out and designed carefully. I had no idea mine would work as well as it does when I bought it, and since it does I just have to keep it. I know Akito arms can wear out (bearings get sticky), the motor can come unstuck, and my original DIN cable had actual rat bites on it…replaced the cable with a Jelco Mogami with gold plated DIN connections, got a Mitchell record clamp, and replaced the hinges (I take the lid off during use as it seems more better). Good spindle oil maintenance (replace it when I think about it), and dust patrol (little fat squeeze ball with brush). All the table does now is play LPs beautifully. |
Back in the day- about 25 years ago, I was already very familiar with the sound on an LP12 and thought it was amazing. At the time I had a Thorens TD166 mkIV Decided to get a new table, but could not swing the $ for an an LP12. Found a great dealer (shameless plug- Accent on Music, Mt Kisco, NY) where I demoed my Thorens vs 1- an Axis, 2- a Basik, 3- Rega Planar 3 and and LP 12 as reference, spent just about the whole day. Loved the Axis, but couldn't afford it. Left me between the Basik and Planar 3. I thought the Rega was a no brainer. Dynamic, pacey, exciting. I walked out having bought the Planar 3 with no regrets. I kept the planar 3 for 8 years and then traded it for an LP12 which I still have, though it's been upgraded since I first got it (most recently last year with a Kore subchasis). |
I wanted a clamp just to see what's what, and the Mitchell "Rega" model seems to work (for a few years now)…I use a black graphite felt mat mostly to battle static issues (along with an AQ brush I seem to have conquered that). The mat also makes the LPs feel more comfortable being clamped down for the ride. I didn't know Linn didn't recommend these…damn…nobody tells me ANYTHING…the clamp is there mostly to make it seem like I care, and I do help the motor out when starting with a little push, so maybe I do care. I may sell the Basik rig sometime just due to Fear of Failure, but for the moment at least it's great. There's a new Pro-Ject "The Classic" table that appeals to me as a possible replacement, but I have no idea if it would sound better. |
I think the Mitchell must be OK. I may try one, but right now I'm using a cork mat (and a graphite/felt/graphite brush), and that helped the static a lot. But I don't think it's a good match for the clamp - very little give. Obviously, you wouldn't sell the Basik before you compare it with the Pro-Ject. I did that with another TT and wound up keeping them both. Be careful! |
recently bought a Basik with Basik Plus arm as an extra TT and pandemic project. also have a modded Systemdek IIX with Akito2 so plan to swap arms and carts for fun and variety. main TT is currently a SL-1500c. FWIW I've owned more than a dozen TTs over the years, including LP12 and Axis, so been around the proverbial block. cleaned the bearing well, added fresh (Singer sewing machine) oil, treated the belt, and mounted an old Linn Basik Cartridge to the Basik Plus. at first i was rather unimpressed. a new stylus is en route then, after putting the belt to the 45 rpm pulley, plugging it into a Music Hall Cruise Control 2.0 speed controller, and strobing/dialing in the speed exactly, i was captivated, even with the lesser arm/cartridge. what a fun, fairly detailed, and emotionally expressive little table!! definitely looking forward to fall/winter listening sessions, switching between different table/arm/cartridge combinations. |
minor course correction, lest this thread go further into a ditch. the Basik is/was an non-suspended, original Linn design. the LP-12, was, AFAIK, a copy of the Ariston, which was of course an evolution of the original AR 3-point suspended design, and which i definitely think of when i listen to my Systemdek. sheesh, i'm outta here, hope my 2 cents is helpful to someone |
