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Starting afresh with a Linn Sondek LP12...

Hi! I'm new to the high-end audio universe and would be grateful for some guidance and suggestions.

I have a vintage Linn Sondek LP12 turntable and would like to keep vintage with vintage. My living room is approximately 24 sqm and space is unfortunately limited. I listen mainly to classic rock, jazz, world and some newer eclectic stuff (from Fennesz and Tortoise to Converge and Sunn O, etc).

I'm not very technically inclined, but do have a sensitive ear and strive to find a good setup. With this in mind, I feel lost in terms of pre-amps, power amps and speakers.
Having looked around online, I seem drawn to second-hand Marantz, Lamm and Shindo. Also with speakers, considering my taste in music, I'm not sure where to begin.

Given space constraints, I would ideally like to avoid mono-blocks, hence the Marantz 7 + 8B seem like a good combo, but I don't wish to dive into the deep end and regret it.

Before committing to anything, I don't want budgets to be the deciding factor, but realistically the amps and speakers shouldn't go beyond US$ 15K.

As a footnote, I'm currently working in Beijing, China, voltage here is 220V, 50 Hz. It seems a lot of vintage gear (whether US or Japan made) is 110V. Would running the gear through a transformer noticeably affect the sound/performance?

Appreciate any thoughts you can share.

Thanks in advance!
annika_b

Showing 1 response by annika_b

annika_b OP
1 posts
 
Thank you all for the feedback! I am still trying to find a suitable setup, as I am in Beijing, it's frustrating being able to only read online about all this great gear and take a chance buying second hand.

@Al, thank you for your concise and helpful information, especially with the thoughts on high efficiency speakers and the relative output of the cartridge.
Do you think the Sonus Faber Minima could be a suitable high efficiency speaker in this case? Any thoughts on a suitable amp for these, vintage or not?

@Pcoombs, Naim amps and speakers seems interesting too. As mentioned above, really wish I could give these a try before committing.

Thanks again!
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