Any experience with the new Linn Sondek upgrades?

There is an interesting review of the LP12 upgrade in the October 2007 issue of Stereophile magazine. One point I think we all agree on is that this upgrade is not for the faint of heart or thin of wallet. I had to think long and hard before taking the plunge. Eventually, I justified it by saying this is the last hurrah for me. At least as far as turntables go.

Aceto - As Kinsekd has mentioned, you must read the review article in the latest issue of Stereophile regarding the Linn upgrades. It appears that the Keel is logically the first choice step - to improve the table itself. After that there are many choices. Given the prices of the Ekos SE and Akiva, one must consider other manufacturers as well. One is not obligated to pick a Linn arm or cartridge for the LP-12. Other choices of arms - SME V, Origin Live, or Graham Phantom, may be as good if not better. For example, the late Alastair Robertson-Aikman, designer of SME products, created his SME V to have synergy with his tables, yet many prefer the Phantom instead.

Kinsekd, with all due respect, Evidently I did not receive the same context for this discussion as you. As to the point, neither do I find my brief take on the individual parts to be a microanalysis by a long shot, but Ok! :^) If you felt my observation was to challenge you personally, your mistaken. Rather, my point was to aid Aceto or for that matter, anyone reading this, of understanding why I chose the upgrades I did and didn’t. I personally find the Ekos SE excessive in price, but concede for reasons mentioned that I could not properly evaluate it as a separate improvement and consequently could not have an opinion on it collectively. I’m sorry that my distain for Linn’s electronics has rubbed you the wrong way, yet after more than forty years of great concert seats in all kinds of venues and having had the good fortune of working with several turntable and tube amplifier designers and builders that our dear friends of mine, I have come to this particular opinion over time. I enjoy many semi-conductor amps such as Musical Fidelity and Pass, among others, so it is not as simple as tubes or SS. As a point of reference, I owned Linn Ikemi, LK1, LK280 Sparks, Kairn, Sara, and Linto (the last which I still find to be outstanding and one of, if not the quietest phono stages I have ever heard) for many years of good service. But alas, different stokes for different folks. Sorry to strike such a disruptive chord.

Happy Listening!

Rgurney,
There is not a Linn dealer on the planet who will throw in a Cirkus, if you check with Kinsekd I think you will find he threw in for the Cirkus.

To me the Cirkus should be at the top of the upgrade list for every Sondek Lp12 owner. It is by far the most cost effective/sonic improvement offering available, hands down.

Happy Listening!

Rgurney's point is well taken, you certainly don't have to use Linn tonearms or cartridges on an LP12. But I think some caution is in order with respect to tonearms.

A lot of newer tonearms are quite heavy (e.g. the SME and higher range Origin Live)compared to the Ekos, and these don't work optimally with the LP12's suspension. And an Ekos II is a great tonearm, and purchased used is a very good buy at around $1500. I really don't think one can find a better tonearm in this price range for an LP12.

Cartridges are a different matter altogether - no limitations here. I actually think the Akiva is amazingly good (made by Lyra) but not cheap. The Klyde is nice enough (made by Goldring), but over priced by a few hundred dollars. The entry level Adikt (around $350) is very compelling for the money - actually my favorite mm cartridge.