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Best Turntable for the Price - Linn Basik

I added vinyl to my system recently. I originally felt that a CD source was superior until I heard just how natural and rich vinyl sounds with everything except perhaps hard rock, where the added dynamics and highs seemed to favor a CD source.

In my system, the Linn Sondek LP12, Thorens TD-125 MKII, Rega RP3, Oracle Alexandria and others bowed down to the Linn Basik Turntable with Basik LVX tonearm and Shure V15 VMR cartridge. Two top considerations, the Linn Sondek LP12 and Oracle Alexandria, sounded more detailed yet a little cooler and less rich and emotional than the Linn Basik turntable to me.

For the quality of sound that you get, the Linn Basik with Basik LVX tonearm has a rare "hard to believe your ears" musical synergy with the Shure V15 VMR cart which surprisingly bested all MC carts auditioned. Also, it is an ultra bargain with prices usually between $350 and $450, depending on condition.

Because I liked the sound so much (and the vinyl was peeling) that I had a beautiful Cocobolo Plinth made for it by John Piccioli of Furniture Craftsmen in Tucson, AZ. I left the original factory wooden top in place so as not to destroy the sonic signature by introducing a different material. BTW, I the preferred sound of the Basik LVX tonearm with its detachable head-shell, to the highly regarded Linn Akito tonearm with its fixed headshell.

I found the best cartridge depends on the turntable and tonearm it is mated with. I owned and trialed most of the best and more popular MM and high output MC carts including offerings such as the Sumiko Blackbird & Evo III, Dynavector 20X2H, Benz, Grado (too warm & dull to me), Ortofon Red & 2M Black (too bright to me), Shure M97XE (very nice balance of warm/detailed sound for the price), Denon DL-110 (sounded nervous and lacked richness in my system).

Of all the Cartridge/Turntable combinations that I tried, the Shure V15 VMR with the Linn Basik turntable and Basik LVX tonearm sounded the best, by a considerable margin. The Dynavector and Sumiko cartridges were close runner ups with this table.

BTW, Shure Specs the VN5MR without the stylus brush at 1.0 to 1.25 grams tracking weight. I have found that around 1.2g tracking weight, the sound is richer and less lean sounding than the recommended 1.0g setting.

FYI, the Thorens 125 MKII turntable seemed to come alive and have better synergy with the Sumiko Evo III cartridge (great sounding Cart, good balance, 3D imaging) than the Shure V15 V).
128x128plangco
2channel8
758 posts
 
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?
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
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!
audiodistinction's avatar
audiodistinction
30 posts
 
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.
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
The Akito is generally accepted as a great arm when working properly (it's old like me), and a "disclaimer" doesn't forgive shameless promotion by a dealer in a discussion forum, although maybe that stuff is allowed somehow…as long as there's a disclaimer. 
sevs
301 posts
 
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...
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