Yes, Harry and his brother Norman are absolute stars IMHO 
Great dealership too. KR, Peter
2 Likes
Not personally, but what I can say is it went around the dealer network very quick and I heard about it last week. Very strange!! 
KR,
Peter
1 Like
I left my LP12 at Cymbiosis last Friday for major surgery. Hence, this is all that remains!
(Incidentally this is all that remains from my original LP12 too.)
I wanted to compare my LP12 with a Tangerine Stiletto / Skorpion model. However, my deck already has a Tangerine Karmen top plate, which is identical to the top plate of the Stiletto. Therefore, what I wanted to compare was the effect of a top plate mounted on a Woodsong plinth (mine) to one fully integral (I.e. machined as one) with the plinth as is the case on the Stiletto. The problem was compounded by the fact that I use an Aro tone arm, a Urika phono stage and a Chord Sarum T RCA-DIN interconnect. Are you still with me?
The Stiletto LP12 which Peter keeps in stock for demos is fitted with an Ekos SE tone arm, which would have added an extra variation to the comparison. However, Peter very kindly offered to bring his own deck into the shop. He uses a Stiletto with Skorpion and a Tiger Paw Javelin tone arm, which fortunately uses an Aro bearing assembly. Substituting a Kandid equipped Aro in place of his Javelin we were good to go… almost. The other difference was the interconnect. A Chord Sarum T had been ordered, was run in the week before and then installed in Peter’s deck. So with these changes made it was possible to do the comparison with no other difference besides the plinth.
The music used was a track which Peter selected from Leonard Cohen’s recent posthumous release, Scuttle Buttin’ from Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Last Texaco from Rickie Lee Jones and Dance Me to the End of Love from Madeleine Peyroux. First off we compared Woodsong, Karmen, Linn Urika base with Stiletto and Skorpion base. I do find it hard to describe the difference, but I cannot honestly say it was like a veil being lifted off because the Woodsong plinth and Karmen is already a fine deck. That said, it was in the opening bars of the Peyroux track that it was very obvious just how much better controlled the bass line was with Stiletto. I was surprised to discover how much it was actually being smeared on my deck. Conversely the rise and decay of each note was much more precise on the Stiletto. Once I’d heard this I realised similar in other tracks.
Next we compared the standard Linn outer platter with the Revolver. Here the change was similar in effect, only less so. I think it’s a worthwhile improvement.
We then tried swapping the standard Linn mat for a black Collaro. Here I wasn’t so convinced. I felt that the Collaro gave a marginally more relaxed presentation. Going back to the Linn mat appeared to me to offer a tad more attack.
The last thing Peter suggested was to listen to the Tangerine Evenstar. I decided not to even try this. It’s my usual practice not to stop the platter between sides and I fear that trying to pick off a triangular puck while the record is spinning would carry a high risk of dropping, resulting in damage to the record and/or the Aro and/or the plinth.
I also considered a Cymbiosis arm lift, but despite the benefits it would offer in terms of cueing accuracy, I couldn’t convince myself that I wanted to drill the Keel. I have got used to manual cueing and playing full sides and so it shall continue, at least for now.
I’m certain there’s no other retailer anywhere who would have been able or willing to do this comparison. For this I am most grateful to Peter @Cymbiosis.
Now I just have to wait for the call to tell me it’s ready for collection.
21 Likes
Sounds like a fine, if expensive, day out Clive!
When funds are available I intend to have a proper listen to the Stiletto/Eklipse.
Your thoughts on Collaro and Evenstar exactly mirror my experience in similar circumstances at Rearsby. They both lower the noise floor, but to my ears lose some life from the sound. I’ll take the noise please.
I’d be interested in more on the differences you heard with Revolver. Did you buy it?
2 Likes
Yes, I went for Stiletto, Skorpion and Revolver. I suspect you mean Skorpion rather than Eklipse, since the latter fits under the Skorpion. I’ve just looked at your profile and it appears that apart from the cartridge, your LP12 is a similar build to mine as was.
As I said, the Revolver was just like a bit more of what the Stiletto was doing. If the Stiletto effect scored 10, I’d say the Revolver was an additional 3 or 4. It would be interesting to see how the Revolver works on a wooden plinth with or without a Karmen. I know James over in the Kabin has done just that, so you could have a look there.
3 Likes
Great write up and congrats Clive.
You don’t mess about with your system so the consistency of what you heard is real and makes things more enjoyable then enjoy.
Get Santa to upgrade his sleigh for the weight. 
4 Likes
Congrats Clive. We will shortly own very similar turntables. I haven’t heard the new platter but I agree with your other findings. I flip flop regarding the mats. Both great just offering a different presentation IMO. Enjoy!
3 Likes
Excellent write up Clive, enjoyed reading it. Bet you can’t wait to get it home! 
1 Like
Lovely well balanced system you have there. MK1 Kans are so musical, I have a pair but currently using Linn Sara MK1 and enjoying the extra punch and bass they bring to the party. Great to hear of another classic Linn speaker user.
What i like about my trusty old Linn mat is the way the built in static detection device works so well at clearly showing me when the record needs a clean though the RCM.
Other makes of turntable mat are totally unable to perform this important function 
11 Likes
