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Linn LP-12 Configurations for a Newbie

Hello and thank you for your input.

I am confident that this topic has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum, as well as many others. Nonetheless, I haven't owned vinyl or a turntable in about 20 years and would appreciate the collective insights of others.

I recently purchased a second hand LP-12 Sondek (Cirque 1970s). The turntable was upgraded in the early 1980s with a valhalla power supply and nirvana suspension. The unit has a basik tonearm, as well as a K-18mII cartridge. Obviously, sonic improvements would come from a better tonearm and a MC cartridge.

My question, however is as follows. Based upon people's past experience, what are some recommended upgrades that I ought to consider and why? Other have told me that the newer cirkus units sound "too much" like CD players (which I would like to avoid). What are some of the more "musical" configurations that other's have heard that optimizes the LP-12's strentghts?
gechta

Showing 1 response by linnlp12

linnlp12
82 posts
 
Here are my thoughts. I have owned many Linn tables and arms. This is what I would recommend to you.
1. Make sure your table is tuned.
2. Arm second. I do not like the basik at all and think it is a terrible arm (my opinion). That is the weakest link in your system from my perspective. I have the Naim Aro and much prefer it to the Ekos. You may get many opinions here, that is mine. Its more to my style.
2. Second would be to get a lingo.
3. these will make a big difference. You can then do cirkus if you want, keeping the old parts. If you dont like it, put em back and sell the Cirkus. But I think you will keep it. Many people say the Cirkus upgrade is too sterile. I disagree. I put Cirkus on mine and never looked back. Its all in the system matching with front end components all the way to the speakers.
Good luck
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