2. analog
  3. 1039275662

best upgrade for 'standard' LP12

I have a Linn LP12/Rega RB300/Grado Sonata which is level and on a good (Audiotech)stand, and am wondering what is a good upgrade that does not involve tearing the table or tonearm apart?

Are the Linn upgrades a reasonable alternative to the Origin and others that are highly touted?

I do not have the trampolin or Lingo, what kind of improvements do these make?

The sound I am getting now has a little midbass ripeness (or lack of definition in the mid/lower bass) and is slightly thin in the upper end. The midrange is very nice and has an intimate quality and the 'Linn beat' seems alive and well.

Overall I am very happy with my setup but wonder if there is a few simple lower cost things I can do that will help these areas.

thanks

Phil
128x128philjolet
twl
3,251 posts
 
The "midbass ripeness" is a typical characteristic of the Linn table.

Aside from the stand, which you have addressed, there is not too much that can be done without dis-assembly or the table or arm. Even re-doing the adjustment of the suspension requires some dis-assembly.

Given these guidelines, I would recommend that you get an Expressimo Audio Heavyweight drop counterweight for the RB300. This is as easy to install as your stock one. Makes a nice improvement in sound. Under $100.

If your phono section can accept it, a good MC cartridge might be a nice improvement. Like a Shelter 501. $800.

If your phono section needs improvement, that can really make the analog setup sound better. Take a look at some nice tube phono sections, that can accept low output MC carts, or a good tube MM phono section and a good Step-up Transformer. EAR and ARC make some nice ones. The Wright phono stage is real good. Probably about $1k+ for a nice one. Or consider a used tube preamp with a MC phono stage, like the MFA Magus, or Audible Illusions, or Counterpoint, or ARC SP-6. May need re-capping.

If you want to do some dis-assembly on your Linn, then you could think about some other things.
philjolet's avatar
philjolet OP
2,306 posts
 
TWL

thank you,

I will look into the sound quality changes the Expressimo Audio Heavyweight offers. I was thinking of maybe a new power cord or Vibrapods underneath or Trampolin.

I guess I should ask for any or maybe the most obvious improvement to my setup. Maybe a good thing to ask: is there any obvious weakness / do the components match each other or is one clearly of less quality than the others?

My pre amp is a Rogue 99 Magnum with phono, I am under the impression it is a pretty good phono section and comparable to the EAR - which is one of the reasons I bought it.

the rest of my system is: Plinius SA100 MKIII / Maggie 1.6s / Acoustic Zen wire / home made PCs and Vibrapods.

thanks
rello
311 posts
 
I like the Linn upgrades (have not OL). If doing the higher cost upgrade to the table I would do the Cirkus bearing ($600) installed. You get the new subchasis and bearing, new center platter, springs and grommetts and the new armboard. Not a bad deal. You a a signigcant improvement in resolution with a lowing of noise (ie the bearing).

I would not waste alot of money upgrading the rb 300 even if 100 or 200.

Cheap upgrade would be a the Extreme phono donut platter matt. You can get it at Music Direct for $22.
More to discover