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Post by guy on Jul 26, 2014 22:20:56 GMT
I've actually never heard one. I prefer direct drive to belt drive.  Well I listend to several direct drives before buying my LP12, and thought that the direct drives just sounded lightweight. I went shopping for a deck with a distinct dislike of the over hyped LP12 (typical "hi fi answers" response at the time to any one wondering about buying a: pair of speakers/amp/tuner/casette deck/coffee machine was buy an LP12). Listening convinced me that AT THE TIME it was the best option. Trouble is that now it has become the norm to slag of the deck and the backlash has resulted in people dismissing it out of hand. Possibly the best route for anyone interested in buying an LP12 is to be patient and hunt around on the second hand market - current prices are ridiculous, and (to my mind) finish is not as good. Mine has kept me happy and interested in finding new music for over 25 years, never felt the need to buy the cirkus upgrade , or any of the other overpriced Linn upgrades. I have bought a Heed power supply (Valahala died - would never want to have a power supply in a wooden box/plinth again!) and an Analogue Innovation "platter mat". Looking forward to another 25 years of music from the little beauty - may try a different arm lead at some stage though. |
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Post by Mr Whippy on Jul 27, 2014 0:21:07 GMT
Never really heard one apart from the odd time at a dealer. I've always liked the look of it, especially with a black plinth. But the design was "stolen". And as I've never been a fan of their poltics I wouldn't have anything Linn given.
I don't see what's not to like about the 401. I think it looks cassic and iconic and prefer the look of it to the 301, but that's just my opinion. If you're having such doubts Tim, think you might be happier selling the 401 and save yourself a whole lot of doubt and anguish. And get the Linn.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2014 0:33:42 GMT
Tim. If you don't like the 401 and want something stylish and convenient sell it, but don't mess with it if cosmetics are good. Plus don't buy a Linn. The affordable older models are well off the pace and it requires fiddly set up. Since vinyl is a minor part of your listening I would suggest something like a Mitchell Technodeck or a Project in the same price band or the entry level Avid. Plenty other choices that sale of the 401 would go a long way to funding.
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Post by Tim on Jul 27, 2014 12:56:14 GMT
You will all (mostly) be pleased to know I have passed up on a very clean LP12, which I could have had Tuesday, it just needed a tonearm which could have been my 3009. Anyhoots, decision has been made for the time being and I won't be getting an LP12 (for now) and I won't be selling the 401 just yet either. I will be getting a TT to see if I can be bothered with all the faff surrounding playing records, which to be honest does not excite me that much, but its an itch I need to scratch and it would be nice to play some of my albums from my yoof - maybe get them turned into FLAC needle-drops and then I could just use the sleeves to hang on the wall as art? Now there's an idea, don't bother to do anything cosmetically to the 401, just service it, put it into a rough slate plinth and hook it up to a quality ADC in my study and transfer my record collection to FLAC files and just play those? I could then have the best of both worlds, the ability to listen to my record collection without all the faff of cleaning, turning over after 20 minutes and those dreaded clicks and pops. If however it manages to hold my attention sufficiently to warrant further investment, I will re-visit restoration of the 401 and maybe turn it into a CTC 301 or get something like a Gyro, but I can't abide those spinning brass weights, yuk! Could do a Gazzer job there though and get an Orbe platter, which I quite like the idea of and I certainly like what Michell Engineering do. So thanks guys some interesting views and pretty much as I guessed they would be, which comes from spending far too much time on HiFi forums and it does worry me a little, when I can predict what people I have never met before are going to say  Need to get out more . . . . |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 28, 2014 8:14:23 GMT
I have my LP12 ready to compare to the my Tech.
Will report once I find the time to do it
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Post by MartinT on Jul 30, 2014 6:13:10 GMT
Tim - you can make the whole process of playing records relatively faff-free if you take a lesson from the radio stations: big heavy arms, solid tracking cartridge and relatively high tracking weights. If you take that direction you will find that the sound is less influenced by dust and will give you a fantastically structural and rhythmic beat which may be to your liking. So less SME 3009 and more Zeta or Fidelity Research (if you can find one). For a cartridge try a Denon DL-103 (although this would need an MC input).
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Post by zippy on Aug 31, 2014 10:16:40 GMT
Had one for years a long time ago and at the time I'd be happy to say it was the best available at that time, even without the numerous tweaks.
Even so, it wasn't a huge leap forward from the Thorens 160 it replaced.
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 31, 2014 10:26:43 GMT
I upgraded 'the' Fons for an LP12 in my big step forward.
When we were changing out the components one at a time and listening it was the least impressive.
Chris
Can you pop into "Hello from new members" and introduce yourself. Thanks
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Post by shuggie on Aug 31, 2014 15:03:44 GMT
I have my LP12 ready to compare to the my Tech. Will report once I find the time to do it Have you had time to do it? I've a soft spot for the LP12 and slightly regret selling mine about 10 years ago, since that act set me on an expensive and meandering quest to find something as engaging. I've now found my 'last' turntable in the Thorens TD-124, but a huge amount of money has been frittered away along the way. High spots on that journey were a Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck rig (I was a fool to sell that too) and a flakey Kenwood KD-770D that is not particularly pitch-stable but does have 'something about it'. Low spots were a wobbly DIY HiFi Supply Bix turntable kit, and the Technics SL-1210 which consumed lots of cash but never managed to engage me musically (certainly not compared with the old Kenwood). 30 years back when Linn were apparently engaging in underhand marketing and promotion activities, I did audition the LP12 against the Logic DM101 and Pink Triange. IIRC the Pink Triangle sounded best, but it would have fallen apart within minutes of purchase, and the DM101 would have been so impossible to set up that the LP12 would seem like child's play (I know, because I now have a DM101). I bought the LP12 with an Ittok and happily got on with listening to music, over the next few years benefiting from Linn's over-the-top customer service. The LP12 has its own character, but so does every other record player; it was and is properly made and supported many jobs in the Central Belt. I am at a loss as to why so many people feel it's necessary to knock a true British (Scottish) success story. The LP12 is a true classic. I'm sure that I'm not alone in having received an education in music courtesy of the LP12, and I shall always be grateful for that. I'd give one house room again if I didn't already have too many other record players. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 31, 2014 15:39:11 GMT
Not yet compared. Life and other things have intervened.
It's supports* comparisons again this week as well as Mana dusting day and others
*Benefits with all the kit hopefully improved
If the Tech outperforms the LP12 as expected then the LP12 could maybe catch up with mods of its own
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 3, 2014 12:15:47 GMT
Well I listend to several direct drives before buying my LP12, and thought that the direct drives just sounded lightweight. I went shopping for a deck with a distinct dislike of the over hyped LP12 (typical "hi fi answers" response at the time to any one wondering about buying a: pair of speakers/amp/tuner/casette deck/coffee machine was buy an LP12). Listening convinced me that AT THE TIME it was the best option. Trouble is that now it has become the norm to slag of the deck and the backlash has resulted in people dismissing it out of hand. I have always been amazed at how quick people are to slag off the LP12 on some forums, that it has often made me wonder if all of these people have actually heard one, or whether a few of them are just jumping on the bandwagon for the banter and to 'toe the line' with the anti-Linn brigade ... I'm sure that's not the case on TAS of course but wouldn't surprise me in the least if this did go on. Personally, I have never heard one, and would really like to hear what an 80's model with Ittok etc can really do, bearing in mind my own deck was sold as a direct competitor at that time. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 3, 2014 12:29:26 GMT
Not yet compared. Life and other things have intervened. It's supports* comparisons again this week as well as Mana dusting day and others *Benefits with all the kit hopefully improved If the Tech outperforms the LP12 as expected then the LP12 could maybe catch up with mods of its own Supports test Sunday became Monday evening ! Them RDC cones are something. Full post in Accessories |
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Post by TheBigLebowski on Nov 1, 2014 15:18:37 GMT
I've had a few LP12's and honestly believe they are bettered by a stock Rega RP6. Whilst I never bought one new but actually built them from scratch or upgraded myself I could never got on with the sound. I guess I tried to stick with the LP12 because with a good plinth they do look fantastic but my current Xerxes with SME 3009 absolutely trounces the LP12.
LP12 with Cirkus bearing / Cetech carbon fibre subchassis / Trampolin 2 / Hercules PSU / Ittok LVII / Troika / Naim prefix with HiCap
Here's my old LP12 with a Russ Collinson plinth and Nima tonearm, one of my early attempts and took a while to understand the suspension setup properly.
Here's another of mine with a Walnut RC plinth
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 1, 2014 15:21:50 GMT
Nice plinth. Like the style and the cut back at the base
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2014 15:23:55 GMT
Welcome dude....
I love the Xerxes and always thought it thrashed the LP12. Not a fan of the SME 3009 though....
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Post by MartinT on Nov 1, 2014 15:34:41 GMT
I had a Xerxes with SME IV and loved its sound. I upgraded to the Mk.II power supply and it gained a small boost. Unfortunately, that cut around the top plinth board started sagging and no amount of motor and bearing adjustment could accommodate it at the end. Roksan withdrew support and I sold it off cheaply in disgust. It taught me things, but I would never buy a Roksan product again after that.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 1, 2014 18:48:37 GMT
Ah, the dreaded sagging plinth saga... That's a disgrace that Roksan washed their hands of it...
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Post by carlsworkshop on Nov 2, 2014 0:20:11 GMT
I had an lp12 with the Hercules ps,i really liked it. I also love the 401 and the Lenco heavy platters, Thorens ,Systemdek,Transcriptors and Michell and any well designed turntable.They all have merits,some if not all,have weaknesses but they are all products that deserve appreciation ,i just love turntables though so i'm biased !
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2014 1:44:14 GMT
I had an lp12 with the Hercules ps,i really liked it. I also love the 401 and the Lenco heavy platters, Thorens ,Systemdek,Transcriptors and Michell and any well designed turntable.They all have merits,some if not all,have weaknesses but they are all products that deserve appreciation ,i just love turntables though so i'm biased ! I have a couple of Lenco's... must try doing them up and see what the fuss is about some day.... did hear an impressive VERY modded one at a bake off a year or so ago. Tried a Mayware Formula 4 unipivot on one in it's standard plinth many years ago, totally standard apart from me removing the stock arm and replacing it with the mayware. It was bloody awful!!! Loads of rumble etc... |
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Post by jnk on Nov 2, 2014 7:16:19 GMT
Had an LP 12 (Hercules/Akito II/Klyde) back in the day and recently auditioned one of their latest Majik versions; always thought of them as being good, decent decks albeit a tad overpriced/overrated. I appreciate their flexibility and upgrade potential (and the looks too) but always feel that you can end up spending thousands on what is essentially a 40 year old design on steroids. Nothing inherently wrong with that but the grass can indeed be greener on the other side. Bottom line, I can see why they have an almost cult like following but, personally, I can think of quite a few other decks that offer more and for much less.
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Need to get out more . . . .
