Upgrade LP12 or replace

Should I upgrade or replace my turntable.

I have a Linn Sondek LP12 which I bought from new over 20yrs ago, it has a Basic Plus tonearm, Valhalla circuitry and an Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge.

The upgrade path seems very expensive, and initially I would look at getting Cirkus Kit installed and then maybe 2nd hand Ittok or Akitio 2, then on top of that a better cartridge. This does not even include a Lingo etc.

So I have been considering selling my existing LP12 an instead adding some funds to get a Rega P7.

What attracts me to the P7 is the simplicity of set up, also power supply included,

I guess if I sold my LP12 at best I could probably get £400 for it. My intentions are to fund £1000 for upgrading or replacing.

How would a P7 compare to my existing LP12 without any upgrades?

 

P7 and oldish LP12 sound quite different.
The Rega is closer to how modern digital sounds IMO (and that's good IMO) but the older LP12s do have a big, warm and bouncy character to the sound. Very good all the same and you can usefully reign that in with careful choice of cartridge - something like a Dynavector DV17 will make it sound altogether cleaner and more faithful.

The benefit from the Lingo and other assorted add-on supplies is tiny.
I'd be inclined to replace the arm with a new Rega RB301 and fit a DV17.
That's about £800.

Ittoks are great but there are lots of shagged ones on the used market, so be careful.

 

£1400 could get you a nice arm and cartridge with a: Lenco, Garrard 301 / 401, Technics 1210 / SP10, or Thorens TD 124. Or an EMT 948 which would be at the top end of your budget and best to mate with an EMT cartridge - which would stretch the budget even more. However, EMT's come with good built in phono amps and they are even simpler to set up than the Rega P7's.

I would take any of these tt's over an LP12 or Rega P7.

 

A cirkus kit and an ittok would really improve your deck massively. For £1000 you will not regret it IMHO. I added a cirkus and ittok to my deck and never looked back.

 

What is it about the LP12 that you feel you have outgrown, or might be missing out on? What about it do you like?

 

What I like is that it often surprises me how great it can sound, and mine is quite a modest LP12 compared to some you see.

What concerns me is the costly upgrade path.
Also , the specialist set up required - not sure if mine is set correctly, then having to deliver and collect from specialist, can all this transportation effect the overall set up when you get it home.

In view of this would I be better off with a Rega P7 or if I can save up for a P9, the piece of mind knowing that I am getting the best out of the deck provided I can place one of these decks on a suitable table.

thanks

 

I would personally keep LP12 why not upgrade the cartridge?. As you have said you like the sound and this might be a better upgrade! You could Join the Linn forum they might have a few ideas and someone might be able to advise you some good upgrade advice. It would be wise to get it set up properly as turntables really do need to be set up properly and maybe take it to a dealer if you dont fancy setting it up yourself.

 

I've split the thread because as far as I could see the majority of posts didn't address the question raised by the OP. Please let's try to help. I've created another thread here for pro and anti Linn arguments.

 

Just bid for this and enjoy it!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pioneer-PL-71...ageAudio_RL&hash=item35ad0820ca#ht_500wt_1156

 

I have heard a PL71 and if you like what an LP12 does you are not going to enjoy a PL71.

 

Usual crap! why don't you explain the circumstances and the problem involved when you heard the PL-71. Shall I list them 1/ microphonic valve phono stage 2/ turntable place *right next* to the speaker. Given a flat playing field this mid 70's direct drive will wipe the floor with any LP12 as it has done on two occasions at Bake-Offs at my gaff.

Anyway two PL-71s will be at the London Bake-Off show, mine with MC Ortofon SPU Gold and Docfosters with MM Decca London Super Gold, and I hope someone brings a LP12 so it can be properly shown up for what it is.

 

My statement still stands, if you like what an LP12 does and the OP does, A PL71 is not going to be right for him.

Many other TTs sounded ace on the day in the same place and with the same valve stage, an SP10 being one of them. The PL71 did not sound crap BTW just not all that good.

 

I think what flatepopely is saying is that if what the LP12 does floats your boat, the very different (I am deliberately not saying one is better than the other...as far as I am concerned they are both dinosaurs) presentation of the PL71 is unlikely to initially please you. Were you upgrading from a Rega, maybe.

Chris

 

The bile has gone!

Good news!

"I think what flatepopely is saying is that if what the LP12 does floats your boat, the very different (I am deliberately not saying one is better than the other...as far as I am concerned they are both dinosaurs) presentation of the PL71 is unlikely to initially please you. Were you upgrading from a Rega, maybe"

Correct.

P.S its flatpopely, dont know this flatepopely is!

 

As I said before being rudely interupted, there will be two PL-71s at the London Bake-Off show. My one with Ortofon SPU Gold and Docfosters one with Decca London Super Gold, I hope someone brings an LP12 and this can be laid to rest.

 

It will never be laid to rest, Richard. Some people get off on the LP12 sound, some don't.

Personally, I think all tts sound fatally flawed.

Chris

 

Everyone should be given the opportunity for choice, and that choice has not been laid to rest with the OP which is why he posted. Would he have posted if he was happy, I think not. My choice has been laid to rest but I am not arrogant enough to pronounce his will be the same as some are here. So I offer my experience.

 

That's true.
Two years ago I heard the "newest" and at that time best LP12 at a Linn dealer .
They had very nice big rooms acoustically treated by professionals, so optimal environment.
They presented the biggest Klimax active loudspeakers, Kontrol and DS.
Well I found the sound out of the LP12 (when they switched over) was simply pathetic.
I couldn't understand those official Linn guys there so high about the sound.
Of course they came to me and asked what do I think about it just willing to hear from me "great" or something of that sort. Well I know how it goes on if you say you don't like the sound so I didn't answer to the question but ask something technical.

I do understand people saying that LP is rubbish. When you hear such demos no wonder.