Tonearm with a slotted headshell to replace Linn Ittok LV II


After several decades with the Ittok LV II I would like to switch to a tonearm with a slotted headshell. Since my eyesight not as good as several decades ago cartridge replacement is a real headache. My budget is 1 - 1.5K. Good advice will be very much appreciated. Thanx!

vad58

Imo, there really is a very limited option for you. The tonearm I use, a special edition well tempered black offers the kind of headshell with slots that you are after, but it is anything but easy to set up.

Otherwise, best I can think of would be Johnny’s Audio origami PU7. Which is an excellent tonearm…unfortunately probably not in your price range.

In the old days, two alternatives to the Ittok for use on the Linn table were the Sumiko MDC-800 (a/k/a The Arm), and the Zeta (made in the UK). Both are now somewhat hard to find. Both feature very robust arm tubes and excellent bearing assemblies.

For currently-available arms I would look into the Kuzma Stogi Ref, occasionally available used for around $1500.