Show us your Sondek

@Clive and @steviebee - Same here. Mine is in the box for my LP12. I have a Lingo now… :expressionless:

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I moved up from DV XX2 to Ekstatik 21 months ago and have no regrets. Peter at Cymbiosis fitted the Ekstatik to my Ekos SE and it sounds wonderful. I also have a TA Karmen top plate in black and it performs brilliantly.

AFAIK the Ekstatik is manufactured by the Swiss company EMT rather than Lyra? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

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You are correct. The change came with the introduction of the original Lingo power supply in 1990.

With my original Lingo, you press for 33 and hold the switch down until the green LED lights up for 45.

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I must try that Paul. I’ve always pressed twice. Dont remember why - think a Lingo-owning friend told me that was how it was done.

Maybe the long hold will work too - looking forward to trying later. To quote X “We’re having much more fun”, lol.

I bought a Lingo in early '91 in first instance because when fitting the 45 adaptor seems always scary and about to destroy the pulley everytime. The new forthcoming Lp12 will come with a pre owned Lingo 3

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Regarding cartridges, I switched from Kandid toEkstatic in 2022 and have had no regrets or problems.
I’ve also seen the WAM Linn forum reliability comments. I wonder if this is an example of the theory that people are more likely to air their complaints rather than their praises?
My dealer did mention however that he’d had several instances of cantilever damage. This was not an inherent fault but had been caused by owners taking insufficient care when fitting the stylus guard which is a “tricky” fit. He recommended the guard be left off if practical and only used if the deck was being transported.

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Cymbiosis got in contact with HQ to complain about the original Exstatik stylus guard and contributed to the design of a new one that was issued and seems to have no problems.
Nice when companies listen. :+1:t2:

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Same fettler - although it takes him a bit longer to get here :grin:. I’m sure if I hunt through my photos I have a similar one. I don’t know however, for some reason, I’m tempted to go back to the original top plate.

Will do. I was not aware the Ekstatic does not take kindly to the Aro. It may make the decision an easier one

I do not like the fact there are multiple people who have had problems. I also do not like the fact it takes nine months to repair, and Linn do not seem to be sympathetic. I never had any problems with service from Lyra

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About ten years ago I auditioned a Tiger Paw Khan, liked what it did, and had it fitted. It seemed to bring some control and some welcome solidity to the bass, which my system at the time appreciated.

Over time the charm wore off and I became aware of a slightly crude and unnatural quality to the presentation, and I liked it less and less. Eventually I asked my dealer to reinstate the original top plate. I still remember the feeling of relief after I put on the first record. No regrets.

FWIW I bought a sKale blind, based on near-universal acclaim. As with the Khan, I felt the deficits outweighed the benefits, and it now earns its keep as a high-end paperweight (who knows, I may enjoy it in some future, yet-to-exist tonearm).

I (hopefully) have a bit of life left in my Kandid, and have been giving some thought as to what to do when it bites the dust. Since the time I swapped my first cartridge (Audio Technica AT-F5) for a Troika, I’ve always had Linn’s top MC cartridge, so Ekstatik would be the obvious choice, but the running cost is giving me pause. Maybe I should stick with the Kandid, or even downgrade? I’m intrigued by the Kendo - a mini Ekstatik - which, if the sound quality hierarchy holds, should be between the Krystal and the Kandid, which should make it as good as or better than the Akiva, which was the first Linn cartridge I was fully happy with. However, I can’t find any decent reviews about it - even my dealer can’t give me much guidance, as he’s sold very few of them.

I’m aware of the WAM discussion about Ekstatik failures. For what it’s worth, my dealer says he’s sold about 20, of which he’s had to return maybe one or two; in his words, the failure rate is about in line with Linn cartridges in general.

Hope that helps,

C

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I tried a few cartridges Corry for my LP12 ARO

I knew the Kandid very well as it came standard on my other Sondek the LP12 40th anniversary Klimax

So after a couple of go’s I went for the Kandid also for the LP12 ARO

Won’t go any higher as it gets cost prohibitive , the Kandid is the perfect balance for me between performance and price.

Tried the Krystal , definitely not for me. Yes agree re Kendo, I must ask my dealer if any customers have gone with it

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Given the difference in trade-in generosity, have you heard a Lyra Kleos?

Excellent and very informative post. You seem to summarize and confirm the direction I have been thinking of going in. Out with the third party add ons and back to the originals as intended by the designer/manufacturers.

I believe I have read Linn has gently tweaked the top plate over the years? Mine is 20 years old so while ordering a Karousel, Radikal2 upgrade, and replacement cartridge it might be wise to also throw a new top plate into the mix

Best
Gregg

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Just a thought. :wink:
Classic or Customised. :scream:


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Being in an aesthetic Sondek thread my eyes weren’t prepared for these brutal visuals.
Even when clothed in that lovely colour blue, my favourite.
After the first shock I’d say the Wolfrace rims win, as always, so Customised.

Classic=Ariston
Customised=Linn

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The one on the bottom just has a couple of punctures :wink:

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Hi Gregg,

You’re very welcome, I’m glad I could be of help! I hadn’t heard about top plate upgrades, but I had heard multiple mentions of the outer platter being upgraded. My dealer came by with one a few years ago - it’s lighter and visibly different from my ancient one - and neither of us could hear any difference, so I didn’t make that change. I suspect the tight fit of my platter might be a factor. A recommended SQ tweak is to centre the platter by ensuring that the space between inner and outer is consistent all the way around, but I couldn’t get even the thinnest foil-like feeler gauge blade between them at any point.

C

I haven’t heard any Lyra cartridge in a very long time, but my recollection is that their house sound is broadly similar to Linn’s in recent decades, not surprising given that my last 6 Linn cartridges were manufactured by Lyra (2 Kandids, 3 Akivas, 1 Arkiv). I’m open to correction on that point and, of course, it’s possible that the top Lyras are just better than any of Linn’s offerings.

Given the expense, I would seriously hesitate before abandoning my Linn cartridge trade-in allowance. One brand I am curious to check out is Dynavector, which I have no experience of. I probably should check out e.g. an XV-1s at some point.

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Classic any day, the other looks like a boy racers car. :grin:

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I agree…I’d take the classic all day long. Timeless. Ironically, it’s the custom that looks stuck in the 50s - American Graffiti, maybe. The different sized front wheels make it look toylike, which may appeal to teens I guess.

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