There have been many broad LP12 threads here over the years, but as far as I can see there isn’t an open one now - hence my earlier specific threads on LP12 baseboards and Krystal replacements (and thanks for all the useful contributions), so I thought I’d give this a try.
The old lags here may well think that there is nothing that has not been said a thousand times on this well-worn topic, newer members (like me) may still have questions & things to learn.
If I am the only one posting on this thread, I’ll take that as a hint!
I have already done a lot to the hi-fi in the last couple of years - see my profile for the current boxes. My need for advice is not urgent, but I will need to replace my cartridge soon, and that would be a natural time to do other things or actively decide not to bother. So…
I have Karousel, Kore, L4, original Ekos, old Krystal feeding a Naim Superline/52/SC/300DR/B&W 804 D3s.
Options?
A. Upgrade nothing. Just trade Krystal for a new one. £1300? Spend extra cash on replacing more vinyl.
B. Upgrade Krystal to Kendo (or equivalent). £2600?
C. Trade Krystal for Krystal and upgrade top-plate to TA Karmen. £2700?
D. Trade Krystal for Krystal and upgrade sub-chassis from Kore to s/h Keel or TA Phoenix. £3200?
E. Replacement Krystal and s/h Keel/ Phoenix and TA Karmen. £4500?
F. Kendo and s/h Keel/ Phoenix and TA Karmen. £6000?
Buying s/h Phoenix looks possible for £1300, ditto Keel for around £2000 (if patient) or I might even find a Karmen (irf patient and lucky). Buying at those prices would get more done, but depends on whether I can find someone closer than Cymbiosis/ Criterion/ Ripcaster willing to fit s/h Karmen and/ or Phoenix/ Keel.
Infidelity is advertising a s/h Stiletto for £9500. It has Keel, Skorpion, Radikal, Kleos and a more modern Ekos than mine. I probably can’t have that, even allowing for the cost, due to the weight and my wall shelf, but comparing cost of option E or F (plus my LP value of c.£6K-ish) to that £9500 Stiletto suggests that options E and F can’t be good value if forced to buy new parts.
I also don’t know whether I will hear any difference between any of these options, or which partial solutions will have more or less impact. I am also aware that past issues mean that Infidelity simply won’t fit second-hand top-plates and sub-chassis - I have not asked Grahams yet and certainly won’t be doing it myself.
Assuming someone will fit it, I could get a Stack Alto top plate for £550, armboard for £200 and cross-brace for £50. If it is better than Kore, as many suggest, I could also get the matching Alto sub for £350. This won’t help s/h value (all Franken-decks suffer that way as far as I can see), but I am not planning to sell.
The big problem with this idea is that I can’t hear it the effect of these first – the best I could do is buy and fit to listen – and then remove and return within 90 days if I don’t like it/ can’t hear any difference.
All of this sounds like a lot more bother than just listening at a shop to 3 or 4 cartridges and buying my favourite, which is why I have left the whole issue until last perhaps.
My reluctance to ‘buy blind’ or make lot of effort may well put me off everything but the cartridge change. However, the consensus here from the many people who have been down similar roads themselves will be interesting and could be compelling.
I should say that my experiments on support and bases mean I now have an SRM baseboard and platform under the LP12 - still on my original Target wall shelf. As that suggests, I am also potentially open to off-the-wall suggestions, e.g. changing an Ekos 1 for Ekos SE / AO PU7 / Vertere SG-1 / that Supatrac device if easy to dem.
I am also not assuming that only Linn make cartridges. For new Krystal above you can read ‘new Krystal or similarly priced rival’ and the same applies to the Kendo too.
People can of course discuss what they like here. However, I personally am not looking for advice that begins by explaining (a) that pre-Cirkus LP12s are perfect or (b) that only the deaf/ daft/ deluded can put up with the sound of a turntable or (c) that the last ounce of tonal neutrality matters more than foot-tapping fun.
Any takers?