Hi guys,
I have inherited my dad’s ‘88 LP12 currently set up with my Nait 50 / Q Acoustics 3020is (eventually would like some Linn Kan’s)
It’s has a Cirkus bearing, Ittok LVII tonearm and has a Lingo 2.
I was interested in possibly upgrading to a modern spec (if it’s worth it!) but keeping the deck in its original looking state if possible.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Jordan
It is already above Majik level as it is. To get it up to around Selekt Level would cost in the region of £4k, you would need the Karosel bearing, a new Kore sub-chassis and a Lingo 4, it would sound better but would it be 4K better? I upgraded my 78 LP12 with Ittok to this spec 18 months ago and I am very happy with it in my system and felt it was a bargain upgrade.
An 88 LP12 has pretty much the same plinth and the same lid as current models so it would look the same.
If you haven’t had it serviced I would get it serviced asap as that will give an uplift in sound. If you live near Brighton I would recommend John Killick at Audio-T, he is the only person I have let touch my deck for around 30 years. Peter Swain at Cymbiosis is highly rated if you live in the midlands. There are also several other very good Linn techs around the country that people here recommend.
Curious about which cartridge you are using.
Thank you Paul!
The cartridge is a Ortofon MC25FL.
As @paulbysea has said, get the deck serviced, this will get you some feedback on the condition of the turntable and what could/needs to be replaced or updated.
There is no need to upgrade anything unless you really want to, but I would get the deck serviced. Once that is done you can then decide on what you want to do, if anything at all.
Thank you. I would leave the LP12 as is and go for a pair of Kans after which if you feel something is still a miss maybe consider replacing the speakers with Spendor speakers and replace the Ortofon MC25FL. to the 2M Black if need be.
Dear 88paj,
I tread carefully here as I am by no means a Linn expert or novice, as I only took my dealer’s recommendations at the time due to our poor internet connection. If I am correct, I am happy with my Lingo 4 power supply as it is only a press of the switch to change speeds between 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Please others jump in if there are required motor upgrades as well. Again if I had my time again I would have stayed with a MM and possible upgrade from an XS2 to an XS3 or SN3 and a ND5XS2 if it was available at the time.
Six years later and a better than ADSL connection and young adults have left home and a new FTTP internet connection I think I would have gone a digital path. This is only because my dear wife has limited my vinyl purchaes. Which is a good thing now due to our pension income (Work Place Accidents). Though at the time our ADSL connection being shared between four family members and not even dreaming of a fibre connection I took the analogue path as it was the correct decision at the time. Enjoy your system and spend carefully. There will be good answers here. I had a blinked view that analogue was the only way to go as our internet bandwith was so limited and shared by four adults.
Unforseen circumstances, two house sales and three moves later sees us with FTTP.
I enjoy playing vinyl and make the rare purchase when allowed depending on finances.
Mitch in Regional Oz.
I agree with previous comments to get it serviced and leave it as is with the possible exception of getting an AT VM95NE cartridge if the balance isn’t lively enough once you have found a good pair of Kans.
Kans IIs would probably work better and are more likely to still sound good.
Ultimately, you may need an older more powerful Naim amp to give Kans enough weight to the sound since the N50 is relatively thin sounding by comparison. I felt the N50 worked better with more modern speakers but perhaps you’ll have more luck. You’re really mixing era of equipment which is an extra challenge. You could also swap the Cirkus back for an earlier black or white liner bearing since that is the bearing Kans were voiced for. An MC cart is another way to help get enough body to the sound. Also depends on the listening room of course.
As an LP12 owner for 20+ years, my deck which i purchased from @Cymbiosis, Peter is an LP12 master
the best advice he gave me is follow Bearing, PSU, Sub chassis, arm, Cartridge
to be honest first item on list is to get deck serviced and then main question is it going to be your main source and if so where do I want to get end ? and plan a journey
the great part of LP12 ownership is it can be done as budget allows, keep it original and keep the memories - the bearing IMO has always been the most important part of LP12
Cirkus is a great bearing, Karasol is on another level, Kore with be great and work with your Ittock VII which is what I had on my deck until Ekos SE
there is plenty on help on here and other Forums, but you are the best as its your deck and more over memories and your hard earned £££
I love my LP12, and I have been able to upgrade to a pretty high spec, my system is in my Bio
enjoy the deck and moreover the music !!
Thanks Mitch, I appreciate the advice!
I agree ,revert to Pre Cirkus bearing and go for a MC cartridge for Linn Kan or Linn Kan II.
Lots of advice coming through, whichever route you choose to go down keep everyone updated, we always like to see how your LP12 journey pans out.
I am not an LP12 owner, however, I would wholeheartedly recommend Peter Swain of #Cymbiosis. He has an enviable reputation, how many Linn dealers are paid to jet to foreign lands to maintain and upgrade their customers LP12’s?
Thank you Antz and djh.
I got tagged/notified on this discussion so I thought I’d just give a couple of pointers:
Certainly for Jordan that is the best route but with one proviso. The cartridge needs to be in good, useable condition as otherwise this needs to be promoted to the first item to be replaced. As always the budget for upgrades has to be considered by Jordan as upgrades can be made over time if required. No need to change everything in one go and I advocate upgrades one by one as then you can appreciate the improvements for what they are individually, and the first without doubt should be the bearing as Antz says. The Karousel is not only the lowest cost upgrade you can make, it’s fundamental and the best IMHO. A lower noise floor, greater dynamics, a much better sense of integration and musicality than any of the earlier bearings some talk about fondly! The diction and localisation of individuals and instruments is so much better and with all records, even older ones, where sometimes condition could be an issue. In summary the Karousel makes playing records more enjoyable and involving. It’s also compatible with the sub-chassis and power supply being currently used and if as you say you will be using an N50 with Kans, everything will be far better than with a Cirkus bearing, no doubt. - As always, set up of the LP12 is key to performance. Enjoy the musical journey!
KR, Peter
I had the chance of listening the lp12 funk firm mod, if I m not wrong the name is vector, and the effect was unbelievable. I ve never heard an lp12 sounding so perfectly. I really encourage you to audition it
I heard a funk firm LP12 quite a few years ago, in an AB comparison to a Klimax LP12, debateable if the funk sounded better; both sounded fantastic, it was like comparing a Porsche to a Ferrari, the both get you from A to B, both are good at the job and do it in different ways. However, the LP12 now has a Karousel bearing; Linn will be around for many years to come and be able to supply spares. AK (funk firm) is now his third company; will you be able to service the products in the future? No help for Pink Triangle owners today?
I read the comments re. Karousel before I noticed the posters name.
I had Karousel fitted 4 years ago and posted virtually the same comments about it that you made in your post.
I have owned my LP12 since 1981 & it has had many upgrades. By far the greatest was that to Karousel &, as you said, probably the most cost effective as well, which is a very welcome bonus for an exceptional upgrade!
Even those of us who had a Cirkus bearing and rate Cirkus to Karousel smaller than getting beyond entry level on subchassis or power supply (and maybe arm too) still reckon the Karousel is a worthwhile upgrade.
As you say, it is also one upgrade that looks good on VFM. And of course, it isn’t visible , which may please people too.
I have done all the upgrades and found biggest one was tonearm, cart and phonostage. Going from Cirkus to Karousel yielded little improvement for me at the time, but cart may have been on way out. Going from Akito and Dynavector 10X5Mk11 to an MC Phono Stage Tom Evans The Groove +SRX, Ekos 2 and Dynavector XX2Mk11 was a massive difference and turntable sounding wonderful. Had Lingo 1 at the time.
It’s now full Klimax but I believe toneram, cart and phonostage are massively important.
A good Cirkus bearing with decent arm, cart and phonostage should sound great.
And for some pre Cirkus bearing sounds better.
I know the latest thinking is bearing and power supply above tonearm, cart and phonostage, but from personal experience that is not my finding.