General question about Linn Axis


Greetings. I just recently started playing with my Linn Axis. I have had it for about 25 years with not a lot of playing. It has actually been unplugged for about 2 years. I did buy it used and the original owner did not play it much. The oil seems to be fine. I do have a fresh bottle of oil and I was wondering if it has to be replaced. The Linn manual states that it should last for the lifetime of the table. Also, the hinges are broken and I wanted to know where I can find replacements. I may also need a new belt. Otherwise it sounds fine.

Currently I have a Signet MM which I hate. It is bright, boomy and it sounds terrible in general. Very Hi Fi but not musical at all.

The table came with Basik Plus Arm.I am looking for a sweet cartridge. I tend to like a darker sound. Not looking for the ultimate in resolution. Just something that sounds pretty good and that you can listen to it without fatigue. I'd like to spend around $350. I have heard that the arm does not support MC cartridges very well..Thanks in advance.
pivetta
I have had good luck with the Denon DL-110 on this turntable and arm. It's a relatively inexpensive cartridge but is very musical and lively without sounding bright. Highly recommended (by me).

I must disagree with Mapman and say that, I think that the DL-103 is a very poor match for this tonearm. The 103 is a very low compliance cartridge that was designed for long, heavy tonearms that were in use at radio stations in the early 1960s. I say this from (lots of) experience with this cartridge. The DL-103 can sound wonderful when mounted on an appropriate arm, but the Linn Basik Plus is not one of them (nor is any Linn tonearm). IMO you can do a lot better for and less money.