Show us your Sondek

Just back this morning from Karousel Klinik together with a nice new black phono cable. Tranquil now back in its box.

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Sunday sun soaked Sondek

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What a lovely picture!

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Very nice! My Rega-equipped LP12 will never see light like that, as it is down in my ‘family cave’.

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This LP12 has been with me in various guises since 1990. Keel, Karmen, Radikal, Karousel, Ekos SE, Skale with a DV XV1S. I’ve not gone for the Trampoline (no base board fitted) or Linn/ Naim phono stages, instead using a Whest ps.30.rdt se. The only upgrade to the LP12 I’m considering is an XV1T, but I want to add a 2nd 555PS to my ND555 first. Currently the LP12 beats the streamer on SQ fairly easily.

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This is my new Sondek purchased earlier this year for a new system in our small study. It started out as a Majik LP12 but has been fitted with a refurbished Lingo 1, Ekos 2 and hardly used pre-Cirkus bearing. It’s partnered with a nice pair of Kan 1s that have always been gently used (never put into storage) and serviced 42.5/110. Despite owning a Klimax LP12, Klimax Kontrol, etc. in the past, this is the best system I’ve ever had. Love it. Obviously, my taste is not like most peoples but it keeps me glued to the sofa.

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Great system (why complicate things?).

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I think a lot of people here would be in shock at just how good that system is :sunglasses:

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Quick query. Was the Keel significantly better given the price difference when compared with the Kore?

Never compared. There are a couple of folks prefer the Kore to Keel although they tend to keep quiet about it. I never compared myself.

What’s the rest of your deck? It’s just that the whole Akurate and Klimax thing has been around for a good few years now. Products like the Kore, Krystal, Lingo 4, etc. would have been developed one after the other with the current Akurate spec deck.

I know Source First can be applied to mix ranges and get the most music for your money, but not sure how well balanced the end result will be. Probably fairly safe with all modern components but I personally don’t think Radikal/Ekos SE sound right with pre-Cirkus bearing and steel subchassis, as one example.

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Kore and keel need to be demonstrated on a deck speck that is for certain, there is a new kid on the block from Tangerine audio called Phoenix

I need to demo Keel vs Phoenix the rest of my deck is Kilmax level, had the Kore on my deck for 4 years

Linn suggest Bearing, PSU, Sub Chassis, Arm and then cartridge as the best route

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Original LP12 from 1988! Now with Kore, Karousel, Trampoline and Ittok rewired with silver wire and new ceramic bearings and 3rd party PSU comparable to Lingo 4. Only plinth and cover are original now. Feeding Avid Pulses phono pre amp. I’ve been told by my local Linn dealer Ekos will be better but probably disproportionate investment. So looking for best option, but super happy at the moment. I find clean stylus and clean record are a major factor:-)

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I have a Roksan Sara mounted on AI Sole VIII sub-chassis and it sounds great. I wanted to get a Tiger Paw Javelin but that couldn’t be. So I got a Sara to replace an Nima. IMO the Sole VIII is as good as a Keel and can do Rega mount.

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My LP 12, now with Karousel. Huge upgrade … less noise, more space, even more music.

LP12_1
LP12_2

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very much echo your comments on karsouel - the sound of silence !!!

Cirkus is a great bearing, Karsouel is exceptional!!!

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And a lovely fluted plinth :wink:

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They have many detractors but those components can do that to you. Excellent system.

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‘Old Smokey’ was born in ‘79 and the original lacquer finish started to flake some years ago. I stripped it and applied a good furniture polish but it wasn’t looking great recently so it was stripped again and refinished using beeswax leather balm. This has brought up the grain nicely and given a soft sheen very similar to the original finish.

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It’s on the ‘show us your turntable’ thread, so it may as well be on here as well!

Walnut plinth with Radikal, Tiger Paw Akula/Khan/Javelin, DV20x2, Ulrika

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