I also vote for simple. I had an Okki Nokki too that was a step up from the manual products out there which I also had. But the manual ones will get rid of a lot and remove statics. Some HIFI/record stores provide cleaning services too for a low cost with top class cleaning products. Might be worth a check if you have some old records you care about bit more that has some noise in them.
I had an Okki Nokki but never used it because it was such a faff, no I have a Degritter and use it on every new record and on every record I play if not already cleaned.
it is expensive but so easy to use that it actually gets used if that makes sense?!
It makes sense to clean new records before being listened to. This is because the records are statically charged during storage. Also often, a residue can be found on the record’s surface as a result of the production and packaging process.
Do I spy a Karmen top plate too?
Would someone remind me, please, why the on/off switch has red and green LEDs. Has this LP12 been cannibalised to play at 33 and 45?
It’s not ‘cannibalised’ Graham. LP12’s now officially play 33 & 45. I’m not up on all the history, but the Lingo plays a major part iirc.
Press once for 33 (red), twice for 45 (green).
Any LP12 with either Lingo or Radikal has a Red and a Green led on the switch.
The Hercules is the one with a Red and a Blue led on the switch.
Old Valhalla had a single Red led on the switch.
Originally the LP12 only played 33 rpm. There was an adapter that fitted over the motor pulley to allow 45 rpm to be played. The Lingo 1 allowed both 33/45 to be played as mentioned
Karmen top plate and Skale counterweight
Well, there’s a new thing that I’ve discovered for today. Thank you.
Yes, I have one of those adapters to make the LP12 play at 45RPM, but it’s a major PITA, so I have never used it.
Yes, just as mine did. Kinda miss that old big red switch, but the auto 45 is well worth the loss.
If you don’t play any 7/12 "singles or 45 LPs… I don’t suppose it will worth the hassle, small though it is…
I play lots of the above - the adaptor was a godsend (and now the auto-switch). Still have mine but only as a memento.
Never thought I’d need 45rpm on either of my decks until my daughter tried playing one of the new Taylor Swift albums over Xmas. Sounded like a man singing . She thought he lp was damaged. I pressed the right button and everything was ok. Nothing on the label or sleeve mentioned 45rpm. So there you go.
What is the current trend these days for top plates? I am organizing a round of upgrades for the spring when my dealer makes it over to these shores (I missed his last two trips). Right now I am planned for a Karousel and Radikal 2. I need a new cartridge as my Kandid, although having low hours (I primarily stream with my dCS), should most likely be changed due to things drying out.
I have owned the Khan since introduction, followed by the Karmen since introduction, as well as the Skale since introduction. I am highly tempted to return things to Linn original (although keeping my 20 year old Aro) and ditch the Skale and more importantly revert back to the original Linn stainless steel top plate. I don’t know why however these days “original” seems to be what I am interested in.
How many are running the stainless steel top plate?
What about cartridges? While tempted to move up from my Kandid to Ekstatic there have been rumblings on the WAM Linn forum about reliability issues with Ekstatic (no longer Lyra made), extremely lengthy wait times for repair of affected cartridges, and difficulty dealing with Linn on warranty claim issues for this cartridge.
My Klyde was in the garage for about 15 years and still sounds great. Get your fettler to check the Kandid as it’s probably still good.
I use a Karmen on my LP12. I was never comfortable with the need to bend the stainless top plate; I didn’t like the appearance of the dip in the top plate against the armboard. Most people who’ve done the comparison say that the Karmen sounds better than the steel top plate.
Regarding the cartridge, why don’t you ask Peter? I had heard that the Ekstatik wasn’t so good in an Aro, and fortunately for my wallet, I really like the Kandid.
If you find the 45rpm adapter a pain, the standard fix was to cut out a quarter of an inch from the ‘O’ ring. That’ll then slide on easier, but should still have enough friction to work. You’re meant to swap the belt when using it too.
I still have mine somewhere, but like @steviebee, mine is just a memento hiding somewhere in one of the boxes in the loft
I still run my original Top Plate from 1987 and it doesn’t have a corner bolt it’s just fitted properly.
As far as my deck is concerned if it isn’t Linn it’s not going in.
I think of my old steel plate like the frame of a grand piano being tensioned and tuned to fit and play.
This young chap fettles my deck.