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General question about Linn Axis

Greetings. I just recently started playing with my Linn Axis. I have had it for about 25 years with not a lot of playing. It has actually been unplugged for about 2 years. I did buy it used and the original owner did not play it much. The oil seems to be fine. I do have a fresh bottle of oil and I was wondering if it has to be replaced. The Linn manual states that it should last for the lifetime of the table. Also, the hinges are broken and I wanted to know where I can find replacements. I may also need a new belt. Otherwise it sounds fine.

Currently I have a Signet MM which I hate. It is bright, boomy and it sounds terrible in general. Very Hi Fi but not musical at all.

The table came with Basik Plus Arm.I am looking for a sweet cartridge. I tend to like a darker sound. Not looking for the ultimate in resolution. Just something that sounds pretty good and that you can listen to it without fatigue. I'd like to spend around $350. I have heard that the arm does not support MC cartridges very well..Thanks in advance.
pivetta
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
I found the right cartridge for my Basik/Akito rig after some experimenting...a Sumiko Pearl. Don't let the low ($125) price put you off as this thing is AMAZING, especially after 20 or so hours of break-in, and run it close to 2 grams. Also, I easily found hinges on Ebay and they seem to fit pretty much everything Linn made.
pivetta OP
46 posts
 
Thanks to all for your kind responses. I have also heard vey good things about the Denon being pretty forgiving. It is a very old design but works beautifully.

Someone else also suggested the Ortofon 2M Blue.

Thanks again
br3098
994 posts
 
I have had good luck with the Denon DL-110 on this turntable and arm. It's a relatively inexpensive cartridge but is very musical and lively without sounding bright. Highly recommended (by me).

I must disagree with Mapman and say that, I think that the DL-103 is a very poor match for this tonearm. The 103 is a very low compliance cartridge that was designed for long, heavy tonearms that were in use at radio stations in the early 1960s. I say this from (lots of) experience with this cartridge. The DL-103 can sound wonderful when mounted on an appropriate arm, but the Linn Basik Plus is not one of them (nor is any Linn tonearm). IMO you can do a lot better for and less money.
grbluen2
38 posts
 
I'm interested in the Signet line. What model Signet do you have?
Don
pivetta OP
46 posts
 
I believe it is a Mr me or MR 5
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