Analog Corner: how big is the tonearm's contribution to a TT's sound?

:) What a shame.

I will say that of the other non-Linn TTs I've heard, the Orbe was the best. Would I have one in the house? Definitely.
Would I change what I have? No.
 
hi


Come off it. The 'space age' was in the 1960's for a start.
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This is just a figure of speech referring to high tech. I'm not sure what the term to use for the 80's & 90's.

I've heard examples of most of your 'advances' given above. The Pink Triangle, various Michell decks, designs from Rega and SME, Notts analogue not heard but favourable reports. I haven't heard them all, obviously, but nothing I've heard so far makes me think that a revolution (sic) has taken place.
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Again that is just your opinion. There are plenty of people who disagree with you on that one.

SCIDB
 
Yes of course it's my opinion and people will disagree with it. There are also plenty of people who agree with it. So what?

All this chit-chat is just opinions.
 
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Originally posted by The Devil
There are also plenty of people who agree with it. So what?
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I don't:p

All this chit-chat is just opinions.
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Ah but there is informed opinion and there is utter bollox, the latter usually winning out due to sheer persistance on the part of it's advocate. I personally find the bollox far more entertaining than any reasoned arguements, and would like to thank all those forum members who cause a chortle or two to while away the day.
 
Well, I'm glad it's entertaining and you all seem to know better than me and Paul Ranson despite never having heard either of our systems. I would also point you in the direction of other Mana users, and perhaps also some of the non-Mana users at pink fish who have managed to get the LP12 to work extremely well.

I think the LP12 is well-nigh unbeatable as long as it is set-up correctly.

I quite agree with Merlin about the 'bollox', but not for the reasons he might hope!

I am more than pleased with my set-up, I think it would astonish most people on this forum TBH [there: another opinion].
 
Originally posted by merlin
I don't:p
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Sorry, I'm getting confused with this generally enlightening thread. :confused:
Merlin, which of the following main points raised so far does your statement tie in with?

a) The LP12, even when fitted with a power supply from Dixon's mobile phone range, sounds considerably better (in the important areas) than any other TT ever produced in either the original or Chinese space ages.

b) Anyone with half an ear knows that many TTs far surpass even the best LP12s. This includes my classic college Garrard SP25 Mk II (why did I get rid of that?)

c) Unless your TT costs over £2k you may as well play a £20 cartridge by holding it in your hand. Don't bother with a decent tone-arm or cartridge, you won't hear the difference.

d) Unless your cartridge costs over £2k you won't hear much music. All TTs sound the same anyway.

Have I missed any of the main themes discussed?
 
Beautifully expressed if I may say so Steven.

To go further, I think the children in groups B,C and D have ganged up on those in group A and reported them to teacher for spouting "bolix".

Group A, possibly for those with learning difficulties, are now feeling isolated and lashing out at everyone in the playground. Ah don't you love Mondays.
 
It always puzzles me why every discussion on turntables on this forum degenerates to some kind of slag off of the LP12. Why? What has the thing done to piss people off so much? I guess I can understand some level of resentment from those who have paid 8 times the price and not really got anything to speak of extra in performance, but most here are not using seriously expensive decks.

I've personally owned a lot of turntables over the last 25 years (several LP12s, a Xerxes, a P9 and lots of lesser decks) and have set up / had a lot of experience of a large number of other decks (Logic DM101, Ariston RD11, SME 20, Michell Orbe and Gyro and a whole host of mid range Regas / Thorens etc). The Linn is as serious a contender to any other in this list. I personally prefer it to either the SME or Michell decks by a large margin which may surprise some on this forum who seem to buy the magazine hype from whatever manufacturer has paid the advertising that month.

I actually go as far as thinking the SME to be a rather sterile and boring performer. As ever it's a personal choice, and that is mine despite my being offered said SME with its SME 5 arm a few years ago for just 1500 quid! Didn't like it, didn't buy it. I far prefer my Linn or a Xerxes or P9. Just because I currently own a LP12 doesn't for a minute prevent me from liking other decks though ââ'¬â€œ I am a fan of the Nottingham Analogue range, and would at some stage really like to try out a Hyperspace if I could ever afford one. Same goes for the Kuzma range (I really want to try their unipiovot out on my Linn at some stage).

The Linn is a perfectly valid choice ââ'¬â€œ just because it is the most popular deck doesn't make it a bad one.

Tony.
 
Originally posted by TonyL
It always puzzles me why every discussion on turntables on this forum degenerates to some kind of slag off of the LP12. Why? What has the thing done to piss people off so much? I guess I can understand some level of resentment from those who have paid 8 times the price and not really got anything to speak of extra in performance, but most here are not using seriously expensive decks.

I've personally owned a lot of turntables over the last 25 years (several LP12s, a Xerxes, a P9 and lots of lesser decks) and have set up / had a lot of experience of a large number of other decks (Logic DM101, Ariston RD11, SME 20, Michell Orbe and Gyro and a whole host of mid range Regas / Thorens etc). The Linn is as serious a contender to any other in this list. I personally prefer it to either the SME or Michell decks by a large margin which may surprise some on this forum who seem to buy the magazine hype from whatever manufacturer has paid the advertising that month.

I actually go as far as thinking the SME to be a rather sterile and boring performer. As ever it's a personal choice, and that is mine despite my being offered said SME with its SME 5 arm a few years ago for just 1500 quid! Didn't like it, didn't buy it. I far prefer my Linn or a Xerxes or P9. Just because I currently own a LP12 doesn't for a minute prevent me from liking other decks though ââ'¬â€œ I am a fan of the Nottingham Analogue range, and would at some stage really like to try out a Hyperspace if I could ever afford one. Same goes for the Kuzma range (I really want to try their unipiovot out on my Linn at some stage).

The Linn is a perfectly valid choice ââ'¬â€œ just because it is the most popular deck doesn't make it a bad one.

Tony.
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Hi Tony - all very fair and valid points.

I think that the feelings you're refering to come from the peope who dont believe that the LP12 is the best turntable in the whole world bar none.

Myself, I have a gyrodeck. Its okay. Infact, its pretty fair. With an Orbe platter and the latest motor, and an expensice arm it will be pretty good.

A platine verdier with a Shcroeder reference arm on it would (IMHO) shit on it from a height though. For me, its a case of getting the best from what Ive already got - I like the service and support you get from Michell too. Its really first rate.

Anyway - anyone who ever says ''this is the best product in the world'' about any product has just made themselves a target for eggs - like david blaine in a perspex box !!!

:)

Its also my personal opinion that cartridges really get decent over £100. The £60 grado cartridge I used to have was the best I could afford at that time as a student. I had to save up to get it. I didnt go out on the lash for weeks to pay for it. It was better than the absolute junk it replaced. It was the best one I heard at the money. It was pretty shitty. Any decent deck deserves better.
 
"A platine verdier with a Shcroeder reference arm on it would (IMHO) shit on it from a height though. "

I think that's highly unlikely - you need to do the dem, though. Have you heard of the hi-fi law of diminishing returns?
 
Hi James

You should hear that setup, its amazing. Schroeder reference arms are manufactured to work with the cartridge that you specify to Schroeder themselves, the quality on them is just out of this world. The way that the patter floats, and the arm stays in place by use of magnetism gives an incredible sound.

This arm on a Platine V just goes together like coffee and cream - it really does crap on an orbe, honest !!

I suspect the deck in the link below would be another giant step above the Platine, but this one I haven't heard...unfortunately, I probably never will..

http://www.recordplayer.com/archive.htm
 
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Originally posted by bottleneck
Hi James

You should hear that setup, its amazing. Schroeder reference arms are manufactured to work with the cartridge that you specify to Schroeder themselves, the quality on them is just out of this world. The way that the patter floats, and the arm stays in place by use of magnetism gives an incredible sound.

This arm on a Platine V just goes together like coffee and cream - it really does crap on an orbe, honest !!

I suspect the deck in the link below would be another giant step above the Platine, but this one I haven't heard...unfortunately, I probably never will..

http://www.recordplayer.com/archive.htm
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Hey Bottleneck,

I don't think you have to go as far as the Platine Verdier to get great vinyl sounds. If you can, try listening to the Oracle Delphi V mated to either an SME V or even better, one of the Graham arms - either the Graham Model 2 or the 2.2 uni-pivot arms.

Btw, does the Oracle brand exist in the U.K. because this is one name I've never seen any of you guys mention on any of the forums?




Enjoy the music,

Lawrie:D
 
Hi Lawrie,


You can still get Oracle in this country. Have a look here. I have not heard one in a long while.

SCIDB
 
Originally posted by SCIDB
Hi Lawrie,


You can still get Oracle in this country. Have a look here. I have not heard one in a long while.

SCIDB
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Hey SCIDB,

It's good to know that this fine sounding deck is available to my U.K. brothers.:D I listened to it again at a hifi show yesterday and it was in fine form with an SME V tonearm. I also heard what I think was a Aida TT, and others were the N.A. Anna Log and the Clearaudio Brothers plus a few others including Rega. The Rega room which had the P9 at the controls mated to Rega amps produced the best sounds of the show to these ears.

Edited to change name of TT from Voyd to Aida.



Enjoy the music,

Lawrie:D
 
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