Getting back to my LP-12 and pondering cartridges. Mine is a simple, early 80's LP-12, sans Lingo with Ittok 1.2 arm.
Do we have any LP-12 fans here? If so, what has worked well for you?
Thanks!
Bringing this thread back to life. I happened to have the opportunity to do an 'AB' today against the Palmer 2.5. This is the TT that I had thought earlier would be a nice upgrade to my Linn. Today, a fellow a'phile obliged me, by bringing his Palmer equipped with the Origami PU7 arm over to listen to against my just modded LP12 with Radikal D and Kore/Cirkus.
We played a number of LP's...from Sheffield Labs well known Track LP, to the M&K LP For Duke and the under-rated (IMO) Sheffield Lab Michael Newman classical guitar LP and lastly to the Music Matters re-issue of Hank Mobley's Soul station..on 45rpm.
Well, the results were very interesting...the Palmer was, in both of our opinions, a little outclassed! While the Palmer was slightly more capable in producing the bottom end ( only really noticeable on the Track LP) it was far less able to float images, seemed to lose information on the more dense sections of the For Duke LP and was far less resolving on all the LP's. The Linn was much more capable and seemed more accurate ...particularly evident on the Michael Newman LP. My friend commented that the Linn was able to resolve the string sound of Michael's guitar with what he called a better "nylon sound".
On the 45rpm Hank Mobley, it was quite evident that the Palmer was not able to portray Hank's saxophone air as well as the LP12. Could this have been attributed to the cartridge that was on the Palmer? It is possible as the Origami was fitted with a Lyra Delos....while my WTA is fitted with a Benz Ruby 2...BUT this does seem unlikely.
Moral of this one, is that while I had pined for the Palmer before, after this experience, it is no longer on my radar. I guess the good old Linn still has the moves!
Hey Davey,
Thanks for the post. It's always easy to think that the grass might be greener on the other side of the fence, but often we find out, just as you did, that it might not be the case.
I've enjoyed my LP12/ARO/Benz Ruby Zebrawood since the early nineties and have loved every minute of it. Have I ever flirted with the idea of getting a new analog rig? Yep, I have…but every time I come home and spin some vinyl on it…I still get the goosebumps, my eyes will still swell up with tears from the emotional connection that is made from the music coming from that rig….so I've never pulled the trigger on anything else. Like the saying goes…if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Well, my LP12 is a rare bird in that back in the Nineties I had it modded with what was then called the Pink Link from the Pink Triangle Corp (now known as the Funk Firm.) What the modifications consisted of is changing the top plate to a different material, changing the motor from AC to DC, moving the location of the new motor to the lower left hand corner of the top plate to be more in line with the stylus rather than being broad side to it, and having a large sophisticated motor controller with a 12volt SLA battery power supply. My God, the music emerges from the blackest of back drops, the micro and macro dynamics are scarily real, the finesse of the minute details are uncanny and the timing and pace of the music much improved. It's interesting that after all these years, Linn has finally caught on to the improvements that can be made with these types of changes that have been made via the Pink Triangle Corp decades ago.
Well getting round about back to your post (I should have became a minister…I've got the gift of gab.lol) Remember I said….if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well it wasn't often during all of these years that I was even tempted to consider another deck….but now, my Linn is finally broke. Either my motor, or more likely my motor controller/power supply is no longer keeping the platter spinning at a constant 33.3. When I get to complex music passages the platter wants to slooow doownnn. Well, I can't really complain for it has given me immense enjoyment for roughly 20 years….pretty good value I'd say. So now, I've been getting tempted. Surely, after all these years there must have been improvements made over and above the LP12…or have there? There is the Axpona Show coming up in Chicago this April and I will be checking out the AMG V12, the Spiral Groove, the Innovation Wood, and the Artisan Fidelity Achates Idler Drive. After listening to those, I will decide to either get one of them or get the new and improved Funk Firm DC motor/controller/power supply made specifically for the LP12 and start enjoying my vinyl collection again.
In any case, I'm really glad that you are so very happy with your LP12! A lot of people tend to dismiss this table because it is so old school, but until they actually listen to one properly set up, they are often very amazed and often gobsmacked at what they hear. You post has come at a good time for me!
Enjoy the music, my friend!
No Regrets
No regrets, I was a little skeptical when I changed out my power supply from the Valhalla to the Radikal D and did the other mods. I thought my TT was pretty good before and I had been using the Valhalla for many years. However, I can tell you, that the Radikal is a MAJOR improvement that is almost hard to believe! If you are considering upgrading your Linn, I would HIGHLY recommend the Radikal D. Even though you had the Funk Firm upgrade, I'm pretty certain that it would be a nice upgrade over even that.
I'm not really a "Linnie"... as I also still suspect that there are TT's out there that can out do the LP12 ( even in today's spec). BUT I'm now understanding that there probably aren't too many that actually can accomplish that feat. Certainly, a listen in your own system will be instructive. Like I said before, i had "assumed" that the Palmer 2.5 ( which BTW isn't any slouch) would be easily one of them. Turned out to my surprise that it wasn't to be.
Hi Davey,
So if I understand the Radikal correctly, it also switches out the original AC motor for a DC motor, and comes with a new motor controller and power supply. Is the new DC motor still mounted where the AC motor was in the back left corner, or is it now moved to the lower left corner? Also, is the DC motor mounted on the top plate or to the subassembly? Any idea on how much the Radikal costs now-a-days….just a guesstimate would be fine?
I don't consider myself a "Linnie" per say either. I'd like to think that I can keep an open mind….but I will say that I sure have loved every minute of having my LP12.
Thanks Davey!
Hi No Regrets. The Radikal kit swaps out the AC motor for a much higher quality DC motor. It also includes a new motor controller and power supply, along with an optical sensor that is mounted where the old belt guide used to be mounted ( on the top plate). The DC motor is mounted in the same location as the old motor ( attached to the top plate). The Radikal kit is currently the most expensive upgrade to the Linn. Not sure as to the dealer price in your area...so wouldn't want to guesstimate. Nonetheless, as I stated above, I do believe it is a tremendous upgrade for the Linn LP12. I also would recommend the new Kore sub chassis ( or if funds allow---the Keel) and if you don't already have one...the Cirkus bearing.
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