I know some of these exotic woods are now outlawed for export which is fair enough
I chose Maple plinth back in 2012, to match the Ninkas. I also chose it because Cymbiosis had an ex-demo available in Maple at the time. 
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As far as I’m aware, macassar ebony isn’t in the CITES list, but it is considered vulnerable. If I ever get to that point, I’ll ask Mr. Price about where he sources his wood from.
you’re right- Macassar ebony is listed as ‘vulnerable’ but is not listed in CITES. Wood of note for LP12 lovers is afrormosia and certain rosewoods, which are now listed in Appendix II of CITES.
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The other month I picked up a Magik spec LP-12. My original intention was to use it with my Nait 50 in my studio space but my partner liked its looks so much it got upgraded to the main system. Now it runs into my Sugden A21 Se Signature into Neat Motive SX2.
As this LP-12 crowd knows, the upgrades get you, and I jumped right in! I already had the dealer put on a Lingo 4. I stuck with the Adikt as the Nait 50 was the original goal but then added a Lejonklou Slipsik 8 phono pre to use it with my Sugden- incredible phono pre! Then the Krane tonearm really bugged me. I think Linn should not let poor unsuspecting buyers buy that thing. It sounds ok but really didn’t blow away my Rega P6 (to be fair running DV 20x2 LOMC). But most of all I just hated interacting with the Krane. So ugly imo, and felt gross to touch. The anti skate always fought me. I’m sure clear audio makes some great products but the Krane isn’t for me.
So- I leaned in. I found a used Ekos se/1 from a dealer in the UK. I installed it using a makeshift stand but couldn’t get the bounce quite right. When I asked my dealer here in California if I could pay them to dial it in, they got real upset and denied servicing me because I bought a used part from another dealer overseas. I obviously won’t spend another dime with that California dealer. So, I leaned in again- bought myself the Linn jig and learned how to dial the thing in. I even treated myself to some nice new PB Swiss Allen keys and screwdrivers!
It sounds incredible now and my specs end up as LP-12->Lingo 4, Ekos se/1. I know I technically should have upgraded the subchasis before the tonearm but that Krane just had to go. I ended up spending a lot more than I set out to spend, and I’m still getting over the bad feelings that wash over me regarding the California dealer when I look at this deck. Slowly the great sound quality, the fact that I now know I can work on this thing myself, and the kindness of the UK dealer are replacing that ire with joy!
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Inspirational story - well done - thanks for sharing.
Congratulations on your new LP12
Nice pics - both systems - before and after arm replaced.
Enjoy
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Great to have the Simon Price Birds Eye Maple plinth reinstalled on the LP12 ARO
Brightens up my day vs the more traditional Walnut Fluted Plinth
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Like you Mike I’m playing lots of CD and Vinyl
Giving the NDX2 a rest until firmware update
Cheers
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What a beauty @Bevo
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Thanks krautnaimie , appreciated
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I noticed today that my Ekos Se/1 has some kinda dark almost black smudges on the headshell area. I tried cleaning with some light dish soap and water but still there. Anyone have an idea on how to polish this little section?
thanks!
Finally got to the point where I could give my LP12 the full Symposium Acoustics treatment. Rollerblock Jr’s with tungsten carbide balls bolted to a Linn solid baseboard placed on a Symposium Segue platform. Drains motor vibrations from the turntable to the Segue platform and isolates the turntable from vibrations above 3 hertz.
Listening to Diamonds on the soles of her shoes from Paul Simon’s Graceland on my new LP12
I have heard this track many times before but it has never sounded quite so joyful.
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What spec is the LP12 please ?
Hi @soccermad - it’s Selekt level (Arko/Kendo) but with a couple of upgrades - Keel and Radikal. I was just going to go for the Selekt, but at the dem when I listened to the difference the upgrades made I decided to part with a bit of extra cash
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Thanks. It is a standard walnut Linn plinth - the tones in the photo taken on my old phone make it look lighter than it is IRL
