I looked at Clearaudio too. I think you need to research the arms to see which combo is better. Was very close to getting a Concept when the VPI popped up for sale.
I think at this level, arms make the difference.
Upgrade my older Linn Sondek or move on?
Hi All,
I have a 1984 Linn Sondek that is still as it came new with a couple of exceptions. I did rebuild my Valhalla board as I was having some issues. Still has the Basic LV X arm, but I added an XTC counterweight as the stock counterweight bushing turned to mush. I am running a Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge.
Question is do I drop the money to upgrade the arm, bearing, and power supply or move on to a new or used table? Looking at used parts to upgrade the Linn I can easily spend $2k. I can sell the Linn and that puts me in the $3.5k budget range for a different table.
I have been looking at Well Tempered and VPI. Any thoughts on these or other recommendations? Better sound quality and ease of set up / use would be the objectives. The rest of the system: Quicksilver M135 mono amps, Fisher CX-2 preamp, and Magnepan LRS+ speakers.
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I had a 1980s lp12/ittok. Nice sounding but a bit bloated. Replaced the valhalla with a mose/Hercules which tightened the bass. Well worth the upgrade. Then I found a michell gyrodec. So much better and cost less than the price I got for my linn. Hard to find nowadays but worth the search. Trouble free, built to last and it looks gorgeous!
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@OP, I've been delayed in posting on this topic due to ID verification issues which, self evidently, are now sorted. In answer to your opening post, it makes no economic sense to upgrade an LP 12 from the early eighties on the budget you are planning. To get that LP 12 to an acceptable standard, you'll end up replacing everything except the plinth and top plate and, possibly the motor. The reason why there have been so many upgrades to the LP12 over the year is that the standard deck doesn't sound very good and buy the time you eradicate it's various problems you end up with a very expensive turntable that is up against serious competition. At your price point, the Technics SL1200 G is a good option. In terms of the Clearaudio options, they are worth considering, although personally, I'd prefer to start with an Innovation Basic which, with arm, would be outside your budget. I think at your price point, a Rega Planar 8 is certainly worth a listen. If you want to stick with a suspended subchassis turntable, the Michell Gyro SE is a good alternative.
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From the Link that I have attached, I have been demo'd the version on the Kuzma Base for quite a few hours at a event a few years passed. I do not know what it costs to create such a design. I do not know how it compares to a modern version of a Uplifted Linn Sondek. What I do know is that the experience in front of this design for parts belonging toa Linn Sondek has a very attractive presentation and is very easily lived with. The design I am referring to, can be seen as a Image and description of the methodology in the link. |
OP look on US Audiomart there you can find some very nice used tables at very attractive prices like https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650004623-kuzma-stabi-s-stogi-turntable-w-extras/ Good luck with your search |
- 49 posts total