Hi @Mike_S
Really nice LP12 there. Looks like it’s been loved and looked after.
You can post as many photos of that “old fruit box” as you like 
Now we’re all fascinated to see what you might do with it ?
Good luck
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Yes, I bought it last Thursday. I had in on hold when I first saw it and a mate with a LP12 went and checked it out for me. He will buy it from from me if I don’t keep it - but it’s staying - it’s a big lift from the Rega 3.
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Congratulations Mike. The LP12 is a bit special. With Lingo 4 and Karousel you will be set!
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Moving discussion to here @ratrat
Yes, that is the crux of the matter.
My intention is to have the ND555 as the primary source, largely because a lot of the music I listen to isn’t available on vinyl. But I also have a pretty good vinyl collection (320 odd), a lot from the 70’s and 80’s - some of which is no longer available and in really nice condition and off course analogue recordings, so they deserve hearing them well. So, ideally, getting the LP12 close enough towards the ND555 so that I will want to enjoy it a lot for the different presentation and experience and not feeling “it’s not quite their, I’ll flick to streaming”.
Anyway, my dealer recommends firstly adding a Lingo 4 and a Karousel (it has a Circus). Then a Kore and Trampolin, either with the first two, or a later on (@Bevo favoured the “later on” option). I’m inclined to get it down to my dealer for a day for the first option to have it done for the summer holidays and he can give it a good look over and check the cartridge. There is only one Karousel in stock in NZ too, which complicates things.
Otherwise, I can just enjoy it until the Autumn and then take it from there.
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Nice that you have original records, from 70’s and 80’s, etc.
Our own 70’s albums are mostly Yes, Rush, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Fleetwood Mac, et al.
Your music listening sounds like our house. Streaming (and CD’s) does the heavy lifting. Always on and playing. A record player is an occasional treat and more special experience, etc.
Thinking about a desire for parity with your other source. Maybe listen to a few LP12’s if you can. Most LP12 stockists can help with this. Maybe a Selekt level and a Klimax level, to compare and contrast with your ND555 and see how you feel ?
Make a few decisions with your dealer on the basis of your findings…
FWIW, the LP12 Selekt level is a pretty decent turntable.
I would argue at least as good as NDX2. (Sorry, can’t say for ND555)?
The Cirkus is a decent bearing. Karousel is better.
Any external psu will improve on the standard Valhalla fitted internally.
The Lingo4 is excellent, probably the sweet spot in the Linn psu options.
Those two items, by themselves, probably constitute the best additions and a great start.
This should show you an obvious uplift, from stock or basic LP12.
Addition of Kore, Trampolin2 and T-Kable gets you to full Selekt level inside.
Be prepared for one or two extra bits, (not always obvious, such as a cross brace, or arm board), to migrate from standard upwards to Selekt level.
Being a purist, have a bias for the original Ittok (or maybe Ekos from same era). Both are fine tonearms and wouldn’t be concerned to quickly change to more recent tonearms. However, any Ittok is 30+ years old now. It is worth examining the Ittok bearings. Lots of YouTube videos showing how a “swing test” works. Again, your dealer might help here too. It is possible to bring an Ittok (or Ekos) back to full specification with a service and bearing change.
Cartridge is a subject open to personal taste.
The forum search function is your friend.
Also - in time - think about a decent phono stage. Lots of choices here…
Dynavector P75, especially if you select a Dyna’ cartridge. Rega Aria is good value. Linn Uphorik is great for synergy. With a 552, I would be tempted towards a SuperLine.
Advice and kind words from @Bevo is all about right.
IMHO, Selekt can be achieved for reasonable money. Particularly with your start point.
Anything higher gets more expensive, (even using pre-loved parts ) and “law of diminishing returns” kicks in.
Good luck with your LP12 journey.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as ours…
KR
R
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Personally, love the original fluted Afromosia plinth.
Maybe an object of desire and real beauty ?
( It also plays records )
This is the recent story of our LP12, which was as original, from new in 1986 until 2020.
This “old fruit box” was brought up to date inside, with upgrades to Selekt level and some TLC too.
(1) LP12 inside - before image
(2) LP12 inside - after image
(3) Ittok, during "bearing strip / service & rebuild "
(4) Troika Goldring rebuild
(5) A work in progress
(6) A year long story…
Hope all that makes for interesting reading…
Enjoy your journey. Have fun along the way.
R
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Most of my upgrades were more than one part at a time, so separating the benefits is not easy.
I went Hercules to Lingo 3 a week before Lingo 4 was announced, the dealer agreed to do a swop and the 4 was significantly better.
Karousel similar.
At which point I would go a bit leftfield. My only experience of Trampolin was when a mate had one fitted, but at the same time as changing to glass supports. Sound went very edgy and no dynamics.
As you already have an isolation platform and have a precious collection, if you don’t already have one, spend the Trampolin money towards a record cleaner.
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Footnote…
I understand that Audio Origami has subsequently stopped doing refurbishment work for legacy Linn tonearms.
However, another specialist has since appeared.
The HiFi Gallery : Tonearm Repair Shop.
Just saying…
(Usual caveats - no direct experience and therefore not a personal endorsement, etc).
Hope all that helps
R
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We have just had an Ittok serviced and re-wired by Paul at HiFi Gallery. Really pleased, it’ll be good for another 40 years. Nice guy to do business with.
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Are you sure?
About what…
Happy to help. Could you expand.?
R
Another perfectly valid approach…
Sounds like it already offers something quite musical and a step forward from your Rega. Just a service and maybe a new cartridge might be fine too.
Noticed Richard D also suggested “ Keep it as it is for now “…
Just curious - What thoughts do you have?
KR
R
Well, firstly and most importantly, I have discovered that YYZ on the 40th anniversary edition of Moving Pictures is a superb test track. In fact by the time I had flipped sides and got into The Camera Eyes, my eyes were glazing over. So I entirely get where Richard was coming from with his comments. I could happily stick with where it is and be happy.
Secondly, having listened to Moving Pictures, I’m reminded of comparing apples with apples. The presentation, being a 80’s recording played on the LP12 was well up there. Superb really. When I mentioned that the ND555 was beating vinyl, I was comparing a newly recorded album on a hi-res download versus the same recording on vinyl. The ND555 was well ahead. So, I am minded that those 70/80’s rock LPs are going to hold their own on a good turntable.
On the other hand, an upgrade to get to the Seleckt level has a certain appeal and I’ve no doubt they will raise the bar again and I trust everyones advice on those. So I’m tempted to go Lingo 4, Karousel and Kore, but it is quite a bit of money. Practically, I prefer to hit that all in one go, if I go that way. My dealer is a 2 hr drive away, so it’s a full day to get that sorted. I could stage it out, but the Lingo and Karousel are the biggest cost. On the other hand, I could stage it starting with the Lingo and maybe the Karousel now, with the benefit of it being looked over, but I’m not sensing any performance issues as it is. But I did add the Neo to the RP3, and it was a big lift, so a Lingo does make sense.
That all probably tends towards leaving as it is, and then going all in with the Lingo/Karousel and Kore in one hit later.
But, tomorrow is another day…
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YYZ = Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Great instrumental. Brilliant guitar work.
Personally, prefer The Camera Eye, like the way it builds…
@QuickSticks and other Rush fans here would be proud
Yes, there seems to be a nice synergy between things of a certain era. Including the recordings. Although, lots of more modern things in the world of vinyl maybe great or maybe improved on 30-40 years ago, it almost seems the late 80s - early 90s when vinyl reached a zenith, things work well together. That idea maybe inspired us to build a vinyl first system : LP12 - Naim Olive - Epos ES14’s. Perhaps a homage to that period. A lovely synergy results. Almost like they were made for each other ( which they actually were 
).
Other more modern Naim pieces we have, lend themselves more to digital sources. I’d even go as far as saying TT manufacturers should resist trying to make things sound more and more like digital. (Which has maybe been a trend in recent years).
Hahaha 
Sounds like you’re having fun thinking about it.
As it is, it’s still great. Or add a few bits and improve things. There’s no right or wrong. Just what you wish to do, for fun.
FWIW, if you decide to fettle and fiddle, those ideas are probably about right. Good luck.
Keep sharing your thoughts …
It’s interesting to follow the journey.
Best wishes
R
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Firstly @Mike_S, congratulations on your LP12 and what an excellent album to experience what appears to be an epiphany
As to next steps, I ran my LP12 for 2 years with its original Mose Hercules II PS, before upgrading it to the Lingo 4 and was stunned by the performance uplift. I specced mine with Karousel & Trampolin-2 and it sounds absolutely amazing.
BUT
We have a second 80’s LP12 on my wife’s system and that is Cirkus, Ittock LVII, standard base etc and also sounds quite wonderful on her 202/200 system.
LP12’s for me sound great, doing the analog thing better than most. To twiddle or not to twiddle is the question. I probably will do some upgrades next year, but I really don’t have to. I could be quite happy leaving mine where they are and just enjoying the music.
Have fun, whatever you decide to do😉
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More paradoxes and choices.
Just finished another test run with Eloy’s “Floating” - another mint 1974 that I played the CD rip off on my ND555 a few weeks ago. The vinyl just immersed me into the music.
Tomorrow I want to have a thorough bass workout, probably Budgies “Never Turn Your Back on a Friend” where Burke Shelley plays bass like a lead guitar.
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In the 1990’s I had LP12/Ittok/ATOC9.
Difficult to make a realistic comparison to what I have now given the passage of time, but today’s Sondek is a different beast to what you have now.
I would suggest listening to a current Sondek if you haven’t already done so and determine if you like the current presentation.
FWIW I would consider a new cartridge and a service to your deck at this stage.
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I’ve purchased a used LP12 in black and have installed a Lingo 3, Aro and Troika. Not used yet as I sold my amps and waiting for a new one early January. Want to get a Karousel and new plinth sometime next year. Was looking to get a fluted in either oak or black. Just wondering if anyone here has that finish plinth they could add picture so I can get a better look. Also is anyone using mober parts.
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There you go - this is a Simon Price fluted walnut plinth and like you have with the ARO arm and now the Linn Kandid cartridge
Picture possibly doesn’t do the plinth justice - I love it
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I’ve seen a fluted walnut and it does look very nice as I can see but my speakers are combination of oak and black.