Correct Debs
But from memory those deals were only for a certain time window of a few months
Agree with your comment re Keel , which I have on my main LP12 Klimax
However very expensive here in Australia to purchase individually unfortunately
That’s a great way to go. However, I wouldn’t move to a Kandid before Radikal, Keel and Karousel.
Krystal is described as a Silver Troika and would be a perfect match.
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Thanks.
I will definitely ask. Although as Bevo suggested these are probably specials. I missed the last half price deal for kore plus karousel.
I guess a change to radikal plus urika would allow also to lose a box.
I will also think about keel.
Interesting because in my last series of upgrades, I tried the klyde but could not get on wìth it. Then came the Akiva and I just had to have one. This was on a deck before keel and radikal existed.
Ok I have never heard krystal so can’t comment there. The troika yes and that was really good, but the Akiva was just in a different league.
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@anon17458420 I would recommend a somewhat different route 
See the most recent posts in the “New Linn Ekstatik and Radikal” thread. Several pre-loved Akkurate Radikal 1s on the market soon, members upgrading straight to Klimax Radikal 2. In my opinion power supply goes over everything else. Makes pondering about other things relatively unimportant, so I’d suggest:
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Radikal 1 first, pre-loved as per the above should be the same price as a new Lingo 4 after the recent price hike. Also same price then as the Karousel/Kore upgrade that most think of first/only.
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Karousel and Majik subchassis (or Kore after a demo to hear if you like what it does). Perhaps even at the same time if your budget can stretch that.
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To get full potential out of the tonearm why not send the Ekos 2 to Audio Origami for their rewire with cardas copper and the bearings job. I would hesitate to recommend their alternative for the t-cable as it is a silver/copper hybrid. The official Linn new grey (Akito 3) t-cable is more fun than black or older ones.
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As to the cartridge, if I understand correctly, you like your Akiva but you also think of a modern Linn MC. Have you considered the alternative of Adikt with a Lejonklou Gaio 2 phono stage, which together is less money than a Krystal?
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If you do want to keep the Akiva and want to move away from the Linto, perhaps you could try a Prefix with HiCap. That pre-loved package should be terrific value now.
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Keel, if after all that you still feel like upgrading further, as gateway to even more. But first question actually, do you already have a Trampolin 2?
Not the mainstream opinion and options I know, but hopefully food for thought, good luck!
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All fair points Daddycool
Power supply really important
However on my second LP12 I have the ARO arm with the older but wonderful Naim Armageddon PS
I can certainly vouch for these two as a combination , there is just something about it that is immensely enjoyable
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I’d love to know that too - my Linto was purchased at time of release and has been serviced by Class A but I do wonder if it’s a weak link in the chain currently.
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Wow some food for thought. I certainly have some time to carefully think through these upgrades. I’m timing this towards the end of this year. Although it would be good to get a good deal the most important is to optimise and get the deck how I would like it.
Interesting idea about pre loved radikal-1. I will definitely follow that up, but assume that will negate the combined radikal plus urika.
I think I am sort of set to do a karousel plus kore upgrade. Although keel is desirable it is quite a bit more and I read that the step to the keel from the kore is less than the step to a kore.
Regarding the Ekos-2 that is completely new stuff to me.
I tried the Adikt in my 2004 upgrades. I wanted more that only stepping up to a fine MC cartridge can give. I’m also unsure here about mix and matching. I assume that Linn have optimised the Akiva with the Linto to a large extent. I really enjoyed the result I had after upgrading to that in 2005
I tried a k prefix before moving to linto. Actually I preferred the Linto even though the prefix was good. Again tempted not to mix and match. The prefix also suffers alot from RFI.
I was always under the impression tgat trampolin was not a good upgrade. I have good racks from phonosophie with an isolated element on top including a top frame. The LP12 seems very much to like this as a support.
Thanks alot for you replies though. They have certainly shifted my thoughts
Regards,
Mark
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Interesting I have never serviced my linn boxes either. I guess that they are not as sensitive in that respect though.
Let’s hope we get some answers regarding the linto versus urika.
Looking at the linndocs wiki pages, I think if the urika upgrade is done then this only makes sense with Radikal anyhow
I have just downloaded the Linn price list from the website of a certain retailer in the Midlands and can confirm that the combination discount for Radikal + Urika certainly still applies and the discount has grown with inflation, so it’s definitely worth checking out. It’s available with both the Akurate and Klimax casings.
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Out of curiosity, how many do you have, and how do you get to use more than one?
I was never tempted down a fully naimed LP12 which would have included armageddon power supply, an ARO, Troika plus k-prefix powered by a Supercap. Also I have never heard one either. I’m sure it’s very good but would be a bit nervous in later years about hand cueing the ARO.
That said once I finished with the last upgrades in 2005 I was very happy with the way a maxed out Linn of the time sounded. Of course things have moved on alot since then. I think I got one of the last Ekos-2 before the Ekos-SE came out
Having by coincidence heard a serviced vs. un-serviced Linto just days ago (at my Linn dealer), I can assure you also Linn electronics benefit from a service.
Also for the tonearms, their cables and bearings do degrade over time. Heard a rewired and serviced black Ittok shine during that same coincidence, much better than I remember a LVII to perform.
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I have 3 LP12’s IB
I live in 2 locations - in Sydney for work, and then south of Sydney on weekends and sometimes working remotely
So worthwhile - 2 of them get used a lot - the 3rd one will be sold off at some point shortly
One day when I retire then I guess perhaps I’ll maybe have to make a decision on just one , but no hurry
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I was in Sheffield for a conference a few years ago and took the opportunity to get the Linn items serviced while I had several olive components serviced.
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I think Class A can service things Linn can’t these days!
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Thanks for the comments. They make perfect sense. I will be sure to ask my dealer about these points next time we talk.
I don’t live in the UK and so I’m not sure about services via class A. Similar comment regarding audio origami.
Regards,
Mark
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The Ekos 2 is a very good tonearm Mt - I have that on my 3rd LP12, it’s quite impressive and easy to use
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Ah that was too quick an assumption on my part! Yes, if you are based in the EU that would rule out Class A and Audio Origami, other regions I don’t know really.
That is definitely the right course of action. My Linn dealer has both the service offering and serviced classic components available as part of normal business.
As to tonearms, Ittok service has become problematic now (also at Audio Origami btw) but dealers could still send Ekos 1 & 2 to Linn UK for service if I understood correctly.
Happy to hear that. You might end up with a different, perhaps more pragmatic, path than originally thought then. First step a serviced Linto and Lingo2 package, combined with Karousel/subchassis? Might already transform your LP12 experience and you can always take it further from there again.