Question is how much have you got to spend on turntable, before we spend all your money?
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Not enough sadly, @Dan_M!! 
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Just do what you can Storm1. You have great LP12. Get new used cart and enjoy it. I went through quite a few years leaving my LP12as it was, and just changed stylus when I had Goldring 1042 and then carts.
Depends how much you listen to music.
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The house is outside Castle Forbes Bay, about an hour South of Hobart. It’s very green and covered in wildlife down there. I am too much of a Londoner to spend our summer down there, but 2-4 months a year looks to be the right answer.
I’ll be selling my just-back-from-Salisbury 52 now that I have a 552, so I have looked at eBay. This shows that there seems to be a decent supply of 52s and I can’t see that changing any time soon.
Preamps benefit from servicing eventually as I understand it, but I can’t say I heard much difference with my old 82. To me, it is the power supplies and power amps that really show the benefit of a recap when they eventually get rough and/ or dull.
It is worth giving the SC a chance, but it is really a gateway drug to bring you into the 52.
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That’s hilarious Nick. It made me laugh. But you are true. I didn’t have 52 for long, maybe 9 months but it’s a great preamp.
My 82 was serviced and loved it. Kept it for around 4 to 5 years before changing over to 52. Used it mainly with Supercap 2 and 135s. For me the electronics were good enough. LP12 sounded great too.
If I was @Storm1 I would stick with my upgrade plan and change to 52 towards the end of my plan once cart, tonearm and sub chassis are done.
At moment the LP12 needs something whether it is just cart and possibly Kore.
@Storm1, don’t dismiss Kore. It’s a worthy upgrade. Especially used, and then sell your Majik sub chassis. Or speak about part ex with LP12 bits.
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Yeah, I’ve never been taken with secondhand cartridges, but now I’ve read a few good reports, I’d be very open to it now. I guess it’s very random and luck of the drawer on that one though.
It’s not a bad LP12 by any stretch… still many avenues of upgrade to go. I guess I’d only be bored if I had the money to do it all in one go!
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Ahh beautiful! I can only imagine how nice it is @NickofWimbledon. It’s one of the nicest places I’ve been to. It’s like the lake district (which I love), but on a large dose of steroids! I remember being sat on the house balcony we hired and watching some wallabies/baby kangaroos playing in the valley as the sun came up over the mountain-side. Stunning place. The food quality there is superb, too. Very jealous! 
I ought to find out if the 82 has ever been serviced. It’s 25 years old now!
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It’s not luck of drawer on carts. I had a chat with guy I bought Kandid from and he said it was used for less than 100 hours and was upgrading to Ekstatik. I bought Dynavector DV10X2 used and that was great too.
I lost half price I paid for new DV XX2MK11. I took pics and cart was used for 5 months at low use and sold it no problem. It’s what we do. New owner was delighted.
I’m not paying £4.2k for Kandid when I can get one for £1.4k!
My cart is superb. No problems at all. My used carts have been purchased on ebay.
Most audiophiles are careful, gentle people with their hifi equipment. It’s usually their most prized possessions and then they need to change.
All the used stuff I have bought has been immaculate whether amps or speakers or carts.
Mostly on ebay. Some will deliver by hand as they are worried or collect if buying for same reason.
So Kandid was in 3 boxes each with bubble rap. Seller wanted things just right.
So I have a £4.2k cart for £1.4k. You should do the same and get yourself a good used cart.
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I wasn’t bored when I changed to LP12 Klimax. Never been bored since. Just delighted with how amazing it sounds. And bliss that I don’t need to do anything!
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With my system I don’t need to do anything or worry about anything at all. No upgrades, no services due. Everything sounds perfect. That’s where I wanted to be!
Yeah sure could do this or that. But that wasn’t rhe plan. I achieved my plan and don’t feel any upgrades will really do much unless they are major.
And then we are looking at S1, active and much much better speakers. Not worth it right now for me. I have what I want and it’s perfect.
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Yeah, that all makes lots of sense. I’d have done exactly the same thing, @Dan_M on such a low use cartridge. Like I say, it’s just what comes up as and when, but I’m definitely thinking much differently than I used to on that one. Kandid for the price of the Delos is very good indeed. Only just run in, too!
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Haha yeah, I’m just trying to convince myself @Dan_M! 
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As I type, the supercap is starting to sound very nice, so imagining a few hours use has warmed it and the rest of the system back up nicely. Yes, it’s definitely better than before. Definitely more separation and sounds sweeter and more refined too, so less in your face than with the hicaps. Just sounds more ‘whole/complete’ than it was. As if the same songs seem to hang together better. Nothing new/detail-wise as such, but it seems to emphasise bits the hicaps didn’t. So yeah, happy with it so far.
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Glad you like the Supercap 2. Great piece of kit. Sounds sweet with 82 too.
Kandid on ebay auction starting price £1200 FYI.
Great cart.
I was really uncertain about selling an effectively hardly used cart to buy Kandid but it completed my Klimax LP12 set up and was well worth it.
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Well worth getting powerlines for Supercap 2 and 250DR as well. Nice upgrade.
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Following it, @Dan_M it has a more expensive buy now… I shall follow it regardless
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Just keep an eye on these things. That’s what I have done. Things come up up. Lots of good carts used out there. Krystal is good as is DV XX2 MkII, at lower used price.
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Yes, I’d like to try one to be honest… always wondered if the difference was subtle or not! Probably need to do more fundamental things first I guess.
Cart is first contact with record so condition of cart is one of most important things. It’s like the tyres on the road. If they are no good you won’t have decent traction and things will go haywire.
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I’ve always thought that, @Dan_M even though it goes against hierarchy theory. Supposedly the last thing to upgrade on the turntable, but will have a huge impact on the sound, surely?!! Like speakers I guess. They have a huge impact on the sound, but supposedly the last thing!? 
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