I enjoyed my Linn/Ekos for quite a few years and was very reluctant to change, as I truly loved the sound. Like you, I wanted to upgrade, but, as you say, it is really difficult to audition turntables in a meaningful way - in your home with the same cart/phono stage, etc. Working with a local dealer, I decided to buy a Basis 2001/Vector, but I was somewhat worried that it wouldn't have that nice midbass warmth that the Linn has and such. In any case, I was shocked at how much more I enjoyed listening to the Basis over the Linn. Notice I didn't say it was BETTER- just that I, personally, enjoyed the Basis much more. To put it in a nutshell, the Linn sounded like a record player and the Basis sounds like a master tape. Only after I changed did I realize the Linn seemed to superimpose a boxy coloration on all the music, which was something I just chalked up to the "analog experience" and resonances inherent to vinyl. With the Basis, there is virtually none of this, and you hear the record as it is, without any sonic signature imposed. At least within my level of expertise - I've no doubt that the uber-tables go far beyond what I'm hearing. However, in spite of this lack of coloration, the Basis still has great warmth and beautiful sound. It is not cold or clinical in any way. In short, I love listening to it. I don't know if this is due to the TT or the arm or both, so I can only speak for the combo I have. I know that Basis can fit their tables with a Rega 250, which will lessen the cost, but I've never heard this combination, so I couldn't say this will be an improvement over the Linn without the Vector tonearm. In any case, that was my experience and best of luck to you.
LP12 vs Classic III vs. ?? vs.??
I currently have an LP12 with Ekos,Cirkus,Trampoline and Lingo. Also using a Kleos with a Linto. But have developed an itch to trade into a different table. I have some considerations that I would like to narrow down to just one or two. The tables on my short list are:
VPI Classic II
ClearAudio Ovation
Rega P9
Avid Volvere
and if anyone feels they have one to add to my confusion, please chime in. I have asked this question before, but the players onthe field have changed considerably.
My goal it to find a table that will give me some improvement in sound quality, although my LP12 is no slouch. But as you all know there is only one cure for this "itch" to change. So my question is: who has heard booth the LP12 comparabley equipped and also one or two of these tables. What did you like, what didn't you like, what advances or negatives can I expect.
The problem I find in shopping is that even if a dealer has the table you would like to try, without having the same cartridge and supporting equipment, it's still pretty much a blind test.
In case anyone asks my reasons for trading are that I really just want to try a non-suspended table. I may kick myself later, but you never know till you try.
VPI Classic II
ClearAudio Ovation
Rega P9
Avid Volvere
and if anyone feels they have one to add to my confusion, please chime in. I have asked this question before, but the players onthe field have changed considerably.
My goal it to find a table that will give me some improvement in sound quality, although my LP12 is no slouch. But as you all know there is only one cure for this "itch" to change. So my question is: who has heard booth the LP12 comparabley equipped and also one or two of these tables. What did you like, what didn't you like, what advances or negatives can I expect.
The problem I find in shopping is that even if a dealer has the table you would like to try, without having the same cartridge and supporting equipment, it's still pretty much a blind test.
In case anyone asks my reasons for trading are that I really just want to try a non-suspended table. I may kick myself later, but you never know till you try.