Show us your Sondek

You can look up the price list on the Cymbiosis web site.

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Yes. I could. And I have had. I have seen how much it costs. No worries.

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Although I use an ARO on my LP12 I did the Stiletto/ Scorpion v Linn plinth/ base plate with Ekos arms. The upgrade to the Tangerine option was still clear Dan. ARO with DV or Lyra is great you are fine with your Linn combo should you choose to make the switch :+1:

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I am interested in making the switch. As I have gone up with upgrades on LP12, I have always had in mind a change of plinth and top plate.

Did you do the base plate Skorpion and outer platter upgrades as well?

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I have Scorpion which is fundamental but not the Revolver platter. I’m just so happy with what I have after the Solstice and SME experience. I know what you mean about the gap between deck and streamer opening up more post FW update.

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Wow, thats such a lovely turntable.

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Maybe just wait as Linn will probably announce the Bedrok plinth upgrade in the new year.

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I’m curious about these sorts of upgrades Dan

I understand a change of plinths for cosmetic reasons ( done the same myself on second LP12 which started off as standard black).

But top plates and the like

Really would like to know members thoughts on SQ increase - is it 5%, 10% - or just a bit around the edges

Frankly does the music sound any better :flushed:

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It would be good to know how much better it sounds.

The other thing is it’s not actually a Linn product and I am not 100% sure about it. I would have to have a good listen first.

But @Clive and @Cohen1263 are both very happy with the change up.

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I know where Bevo is coming from Dan but the ‘more hifi less music’ thing just doesn’t apply here IMO. The Aluminium billet retains the LP12 strengths and improves the less strong areas (like compression, neutrality and bass definition). My deck with ARO on board makes the SME 20 sound blah and the Solstice a little loose and aggressive. When I did the “shootout” at Cymbiosis the switch from timber to Ali was a straight forward and clear upgrade IMO. By way of contrast the Superline to Urika one was more of a chin scratcher and could be described as an apples and oranges type comparison. The Superline provides a more dynamic sound with a more open top end and the Urika more integrated and smooth.

Of course you might hear it differently just like many folks will not ‘get’ that I have a pair of T808’s stored because I’m loving what SL2’s sound like in my room with S1/ 2 x 500. Food for thought for you I suppose :+1:

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Very good comments Cohen, well put.

I’ll leave my LP12ARO/superline/SupercapDR well alone , but I take your points

I’ll also leave my LP12 Klimax 40 anniversary well alone - does it for me

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Really pleased you are so happy and there’s lots of life left in your Kandid anyway. However IME the Ekstatik works well in an Aro, but there are several other cartridges to consider of course, like the Lyra Etna Lambda and Dynavector XV1- S&T etc.
KR, Peter

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Many 3rd party offerings need close scrutiny, agreed. The expression “The good, bad and the ugly” comes to mind :joy: if you get my drift. Demonstrations are essential and go figure for yourself. Moderator respected that’s really all I could suggest…
KR, Peter

You can add me to those who didn’t really want to prefer the Stiletto/ Skorpion - I liked the beaten-up old plinth I had for 20 years and the cherry (not one of those beautiful wenge items) that eventually replaced it when we worked out how far from square it had become.

However, all the above comments are right about Stiletto - it is more neutral and clean and open but not less enjoyable and involving in the way that so many high-end CDPs do.

Only a proper listen at a dealer able to compare A and B well will show if your ears agree, and none of us should spend that sort of money without hearing. Fortunately, that can be done fairly easily if one has free time and lives in England.

To my ears (and those of some other listeners), the upgrade is not as big as going from 52/250 to 552/300DR, but bigger than putting the XPSDR on the NDX2 - and that made the NDX2 roughly equal to the CDS2, which it really wasn’t before.

I suspect that any advantage your streamer still has will vanish if you go Stilletto, while the things a good LP12 does incomparably well will remain.

For looks, I personally still prefer many of the beautiful bits of wood on this thread, but a fine judgement on how it looks isn’t really the point.

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My LP12 Klimax far outshines my ND555 with 2 x 555PSDRs. I want a new plinth. The Stiletto is £4900 and includes top plate. A big decision. Big money.

Maybe a trip to get a demo first.

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If you hear it, I bet you buy a Stiletto and Skorpion combo.

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I think the Skorpion can be fitted with Urika 1 now. Maybe @Cohen1263 can confirm?

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When I upgraded deck to Klimax level, I held fire on plinth for good reason. Now I know why! Things happen for a reason. My LP12 journey continues. The only things that haven’t been replaced are plinth and top plate!

Listening to LP12 for last 5 hours. It sounds incredible! Joe Bonamassa, Bowie, Floyd, Muse, Pearl Jam, Steely Dan, Dire Straits.

But if it can sound better, I want that!

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It can Dan as mine has just that :+1:

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We talked about yours being in between the £50k special edition and mine. There are rumours of a bedrock plinth coming out as well! Can’t see how that can be done due to shape of LP12 standard.

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