Next upgrade advice

Yeah Steve! Glad you like the Degritter too. I have given some of my LPs a few cleans too.

The Dynavector XX2 MkII is a great cart. I’m glad you have got so much use from it. That’s amazing.

Only had my used Kandid, which only had 50 hours on it before, since May so it’s like new. Maybe 200 hours on it or less.

John at Pear Audio told me that with clean records it’s possible to get 1500 hrs on an XX-2.

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It makes sense, the cart is not being worn down by the grit and sludge of record film. If records are really clean then the cart doesn’t have to work as hard. And of course records sound alot better.

I was a little bit dubious about buying a record cleaning machine. But it makes things easier. You don’t need to clean the stylus as much. You don’t need to use the record cleaning brush as much.

Your cartridge lasts longer which is important. Especially if you have an expensive cart it will save money in the long run.

There are lots of record cleaning machines out there. I went for degritter as it seemed like one of the easiest to use.

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Yeah… sounds like what I’m getting then. Not bad sounding by any means, but flatter than it was I’m pretty sure of it.

Yeah, there are so many options and bits to go at yet. Sadly, money is always the leveller really so takes time to get where I’d like to be.

Out of interest, did you ever try an olive supercap or was it a supercap 2? Guessing the sound is the same/v. similar?

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I haven’t listened to Olive Supercap. Bought 2012 Supercap 2. It was just before DR came out and didn’t need a service at the time.

So depending on age of Supercap, factor in service requirements.

Olive and Classic have different sound. You can mix and match. Consider if you want 252 or 52 later down the line. If you want 252 then get a Supercap 2 so boxes match. If you want a 52 doesn’t matter as you have 250DR.

And then there’s question 252 or 52.

I have had 82, 52 and now 552. The 52 is beautifully built and is a masterpiece. Olive boxes are rock solid. I haven’t got any now and love 500 series. Bugger to clean cases though

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Oh right, OK. My mind is probably.on the supercap 2 as it’s less likely to need a service soon, but like you say… Matches the 250dr too. I’m not fussed about matching boxes in fairness. Love the look of olive stuff and like you say, solid. Guess the 82 is exactly the same as the 52 in look and build stakes. Main thing is the sound. Realise a DR is probably best, but it makes them more like £3k and along with a 252, it’s getting not far off 6-7k which isn’t far off a 552 +PS. I’m gonna stick at supercap2 as a max I reckon.

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A 552 DR in good condition is around the £9k to £10k mark. Mine is 2017 £11k from dealer, Immaculate.

So a 252 with Supercap DR is alot less still than 552DR in good condition.

There is a 52 and Supercap Olive on ebay for £3800 or best offer. Both serviced.

52 worth £2200. Supercap maybe worth £1100. You could make an offer.

Oh… Maybe I’m wrong then, apologies! Seen a few on eBay that were about £8k, so didn’t think the difference was too different to a SCDR and a 252.

Yeah, I’m gonna look at trading if possible. I know if I don’t do that, I’ll never sell the 82 and hicaps once I’ve got new stuff.

Assuming the phono boards in my 82 the same size for a 52? Realise a 252 would mean urika is a definite straight away.

For what it’s worth, I found Ittok > Ekos 1 one of the biggest upgrades I’ve made in 36 years of LP12 ownership.

My point here is not to dispute your experience, but rather to emphasise how subjective these judgements are. The original post mentions the following choices:

  • 2 x HiCap vs Supercap on an 82
  • 82 vs 52
  • Aro vs Ekos

All of these are excellent components, but you will not find agreement on which of each pair is the better choice. The only arbiter is your own ears, and that’s as it should be.

You could probably roll the dice and pick any of these options, and end up pleased that you’ve improved your sound. You might be lucky and find you’ve made a day and night improvement. But you might also be unlucky and find your system less satisfactory than before. It’s well worth taking the time to track down a dealer that will allow you to audition these options and give you some guidance.

The other issue in play here is the more general question of system hierarchy. Assuming you’re starting off with a reasonably well balanced system with no glaring deficits, then source first is the way to go, starting with the LP12’s bearing, then power supply, then subchassis, and so on. Budget might not allow you to max out your source in one go, but if you make sure that every component is a notch or two better than the next one downstream, you’re unlikely to go wrong.

Good luck on your journey!

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Hello.
To me the best upgrade was service and rewire of ekos 2 by audio origami.

Regards Hannu

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Well yes… the OP asked for advice on potential upgrades…. Any advice given can only be based on one’s personal experience… and the exchange of opinions and experience is what this forum is ultimately about.

As always, the caveat is that the OP should ultimately go and listen and let his ears be the guide - a point I have made in at least one of my earlier posts.

As an aside, the most revelatory upgrade I ever did on my 38yr LP12 journey was replacing my original Empire MC 3000 VDH cartridge (no slouch in itself) on my Ittok, with a Linn Troika.

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You have a pretty well spec’d LP12 there. Unless the Hana needs replacing, I’d be looking at a 52 or 252 first - better balance overall I feel.

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One thing I should make you aware of: if you’re planning to go 252 at some point, it’s a lot better with SCDR.
Sorry …

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I guess better with it in some ways wouldn’t necessarily put me off as it may not be final in that sense. I guess it’s always going to be the same with secondhand stuff. Can only pre-plan so far ahead I guess. What are the benefits?

Sell the LP12 and buy a streamer. Preferably NAIM. :wink:

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Very useful post @Corry

The tricky bit is as ever, trying older kit in the one place. Especially trying the aro (which I know Cymbiosis have many decks with them) but also the ekos2 and an 82 etc.

In general, every dealing I’ve had with Cymbiosis has been superb, so know I can absolutely trust their judgement and guide.

Very interesting you found the ittok to ekos so fundamental, especially given how many upgrades you’ve done since.

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Errrm… that’ll be a no I’m afraid! :smile:

I’m a vinyl only guy, but no reason not to expand in future.

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Yeah, it’s certainly not bad spec… but there are many obvious upgrades still to go. I’d like to get most of them done eventually… but don’t think I’ll ever spend 4k+ on a cartridge… Maybe 2k-ish at most, so will always be below klimax level. Ideally I’d like a keel and an urika… What the arm will end up being I’m not so sure!

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The SCDR makes the 252 a bit more punchy and lively. I should add I also went from 300 to 300DR at the same time which would also have a bearing on the change in sound.

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Righto, OK. I had read that some didn’t get on with the 52/252 because of it lacking the punch on the 82/282. I obviously have no idea of either, but can’t see it being worse or it wouldn’t exist. Some obviously prefer a more edgy presentation. Not saying I do myself, think I’d like a bit more refinement as I go, rather than it putting you on edge! Yeah, the 300dr will obviously have come with changes too I guess.