Great post, Kirkus. I also agree with Stanwal. It is very satisfying for a large number of listeners. |
"It is very satisfying for a large number of listeners."
Would we even be having this discussion about a product that debuted so long ago if this were not the case?
Longevity is one of the best indicators of utility..... |
All tables 'Give Up' something in the Sound Spectrum........Many are still, after all the years, satisfied at what the Linn does, and does not do, for that matter. It is still very SYSTEM dependent; albeit given the right scenario, with the right associated components, a Proven Winner!!!!!!! That's what they see in LINN, and what LINN represents. |
The LP12 can be upgraded all the way to what many, including myself, consider is still SOTA.
A Radikal/ Trampolin v2/Cirkus/LP12 is the current itineration. I wander how close in sound this is to the typical LP12( of older vintage) that most of the posters are referring to and which I suspect is what their experience lies with.
IMHO, If you haven't heard the latest itineration, then you probably aren't qualified to give an opinion as to the how competitive the LP12 is against the current competition. |
Drubin's question is to the point, what could I replace an LP12 with and still be happy. I bought my present LP12 (replacing one I had purchased in 1985) in 1993 with just the basik power supply and LVIII arm. Nothing VPI sells could make me happy (not that they're bad; just a different set of sonic attributes that don't appeal to me as much). A Rega P5 doesn't measure up, but a P9 does. I could be very happy with a Rokson Xerxes.
During President Bush's plea for stimulus spending, and spurred on by Art Dudley's review, I bought a Well Tempered Record Player from Stanalog. Sonically, it was in some ways better than my LP12 (and an outstanding platform for Grado cartridges), but after two years I sold it, finding the operational ease of the Linn more to my liking (cueing lever, hinged dustcover you don't need to remove before play, no azimuth adjustment to fiddle with, easier and more repeatable ability to set tracking force and other tonearm settings), or maybe that was just 25 years of use and familiarity winning out.
Another nice thing about the LP12 is that it's still supported. Mine has in excess of 17,000 hours of play on it, and no matter how well machined the bearing, it's still subject to wear. For a modest price, the Cirkus kit basically makes my old turntable like new mechanically (the LVIII arm still tests out fine); add the recent Majik power supply (supposed to be better than the Valhalla, let alone my Basik) and new motor, and I'm likely good for another 17-20 years. |
Sell your table. Buy a VPI Classic. |
What I like most about these LP12 'SOTA' guys, they really believe what they talk. And when I listen to their Systems it is so far away from SOTA that I really always ask myself, hey, is it really so difficult to l-i-s-t-e-n ?
The answer is: yes |
Syntax, have you heard the latest itineration of the LP12/ Radikal?
If not, then maybe you are jumping to conclusions, no?
BTW, are you a dealer? |
Daveyf, you are correct, and you can listen to the differences without seeing a dealer. I believe it's on the Linn forum(you might have to search elsewhere on the Internet.). The main reason(if you can believe it) I got the Linn was to eliminate too many variables. I'm getting older, and didn't want to mess with too many things. They are still in business, with a lot of feedback about the table. The Oracle was a downgrade(in my mind)from version I to II. The SOTA was uninvolving. My Ariston was not supported(BTW my tweakings had me interested in a wobbly motor, which only Roksan has taken up.). A few of those companies went out of business for at least a while. |
Daveyf, yes I listened to all of them, the LP12 with Keel, Ekos SE etc. compared in the same System to another full loaded LP12, I was in so many Linn Demos that I would like to have some money for visiting them in future.
Lots of years ago I was interested in one of those, because full loaded ones were very cheap 2. hand, I compared them in Dealer shops among themselves and after a while I knew the reason.
I am not a Dealer. Just a regular customer. |
Syntax,
With your gear, the Linn being its equal is like saying Johnny Unitas is Peyton Manning's equal.
Unitas was pretty good in his day and few would find fault with him nonetheless despite it being difficult to argue that he was the equal of today's "SOTA".
I would still like to pay him the salary he earned and have him in his prime on my team today though. I might even chose that over paying Peyton what he is worth in comparison. |
I'm a fan of the LP12 and considering my first audition was back in the late 70's... good show !!!!
That aside, i have never compared the sound of an LP12 to current modern SOTA stuff , but i would not expect to hear bad sound from an LP12 unless it was very poorly setup and i have heard bad sound from some of these modern setups.
regards, |
Syntax, so you have heard the new Radikal power supply with the Keel and Ekos SE?
BTW, I never remember the 'fully loaded' tables being 'very cheap' BUT I guess that is a relevant term!
Not being a dealer, you do have an impressive collection of gear....almost like you have one of everything..:0) |
Aguadiem, I hope I caught you in time(before upgrades). I believe that the radikal(or something) should be bought before the keel or ekos SE. You should look into it further. BTW, I believe the general perception in the UK is much different than the one here about the Linn. |
