I had a Linn LP for 15 years and went through the upgrade path to cirkus bearing, lingo power supply, switched from Itok to ekos tonearm, etc. The last cartridge I had in it, for about 6 months, was a van den hul Black Beauty.
I have since bought a TNT Mark V with JMW 12.5. Everything else in my system, including the cartridge, has remained the same.
I liked the Linn and was quite satisfied. I still think it sounded really good. But the new rig is really in an altogether different class. In particular, the bass extension is SO much better that I don't think I could live with a Linn again. (Yes,the Linn was set-up by a Linn technician and the bounce was right on.)
While the Linn was "musical", the new rig has a more complex and yet more natural and authoritative sound. I hear more, and it is dead quiet. I listen exclusively to classical music and this new rig has been a revelation. I won't dump on the Linn, I was a fan for long time. But it is possible to do a LOT better.
I have since bought a TNT Mark V with JMW 12.5. Everything else in my system, including the cartridge, has remained the same.
I liked the Linn and was quite satisfied. I still think it sounded really good. But the new rig is really in an altogether different class. In particular, the bass extension is SO much better that I don't think I could live with a Linn again. (Yes,the Linn was set-up by a Linn technician and the bounce was right on.)
While the Linn was "musical", the new rig has a more complex and yet more natural and authoritative sound. I hear more, and it is dead quiet. I listen exclusively to classical music and this new rig has been a revelation. I won't dump on the Linn, I was a fan for long time. But it is possible to do a LOT better.