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Linn Basik LVX vs. Rega RB 303

Hi, Folks,
I have a very old Linn Basik LVX on my SOTA Sapphire. When I say "very old," I mean that I bought it used from the dealer back in 1986! :-)
I was having hum/buzz issues on my analogue side, and finally isolated it down to the turntable. It turned out to be a shorted tonearm ground wire along with some mechanical elements of the arm that needed tightening. All this was done by Mike at Austin Stereo, a great, local repair shop.
Now the hum is gone and the arm is sounding fine but the whole exercise has me wondering whether I might want to upgrade the old arm. My budget is modest so the Rega RB 303 at $600 sounds about right. By the way, my cart is an Ortofon 2M Blue.
Would this be a worthwhile (i.e., discernible) step up?
Thanks for your opinions!
rebbi
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,776 posts
 
Second on the Jelco 750.
wahwah's avatar
wahwah
23 posts
 
I recently replaced the AR/Jelco LVX arm on my AR ES-1 turntable with a stock
Rega RB300.
My AR arm is equipped with a Music Metre tonearm cable. The stock Rega arm does not have the soaring highs I got with the AR/Jelco LVX; but in every other area, there is an improvement-Blacker and quieter backgrounds. More substantial bass and dynamics-Plus, a FLUIDITY and BODY that hints of a more expensive arm.
The tonal balance of the SOTA is different from that
of the AR, so using a Rega might be too much of a good thing.
However if you rewire the Rega with a complimentary
wire that contrast with your SOTA you may have a winning combination.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
You might also want to consider a modded Rega. I really liked the Audiomods arm that replaced my Rega 301. Extensively modified. You can get a modded arm, or a kit to mod it yourself. Or get the Rega now, then buy an upgrade kit or have it upgraded down the road as funds allow.

Don't know the Ittok, so can't comment on how the Audiomods would compare.
petermax
30 posts
 
+1 for the JELCO, but since the question is Linn Basik LVX vs. Rega RB 303 I'd go for the Rega , especially if a more demanding cartridge might be used in the future.
I own a Linn Basik Plus on one of my turntables and I like it but it just can't reach the performance of RB301 that I also own (oR RB250/300).
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