Show us your Sondek

Graham, I also have an LP12/ARO – have you compared the TKR with other Dynavectors? I’ve had a 20x2L and an XX2 mk.2 on my ARO, and thought the XX2 sounded a bit polite.

Nice. Try it without the wobbly Trampolin feet thingies. I find rigidity better.

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My eye is drawn to the plinth. What’s the background there, please?

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See my recently updated profile :wink:

I borrowed a klimax LP12 for a couple of weeks but something just did dent gell with me. Very much personal preference here though. The LP12 is absolutely superb but other options exist :grin:

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Yes, I had an XX-2 Mk II for the last few years, which I thought was great. So I decided to trade up to the Te Kaitora, when the old one had the miles on the clock. The new cartridge has been fitted, but I haven’t listened to it properly yet (bout of ill health has intervened). Soon, though …

Classic LP12 styling! But a couple of questions.

What is that non-standard mat? (In my opinion, anything that gets Linn’s shoddy felt mat off the platter is an improvement.)

Why does the starting button have two LEDs? Don’t tell me that somehow you’ve contrived to have both 33 and 45 RPM speeds. (I’m a bit behind on that button, as my deck has the Armageddon, so I just have the blank plastic bit with the embossed Naim logo.)

Not with the Linn Ekos 2, solid base sounds better with the ARO.

Just some simple white wall in a typical American home.

Lol. I meant the back story to the plinth. In the picture it looks to have angled sides. Is that just an optical illusion?

Gone.

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The mat is an Origin Live.

The two start lights are indeed power/33 (red) and 45 (green).

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Thanks for that. One follow up, if I may. What power supply do you have for the LP12 that gives the two speeds? (I didn’t know that such a thing exists, and have been wondering about getting that awfully fiddly aluminium adaptor thingy that Linn produce.)

Hi Graham,
Here is the story:
I purchased this 1990’s LP12 a few years ago from the “Audio Counsel” in Diggle, Saddleworth. It had been part exchanged. I had been using a Linn Axis for 25+ years.
Although the LP12 had its issues, it was a huge improvement on my Axis. Firstly I replaced the hinges.
The felt mat was horrid so replaced that with an Origin Live mat, I was already using one on my Axis (highly rate) but perhaps a little thin for the Axis. Sits below the platter rim and some vinyl therefore can sit on the rim. Not so on my LP12 (rim lip is shallower) Next I replaced the lid (original came with some scratches!)
Every so often I could hear a crackling noise and if I touched the phono cable it was worse. I replaced with a 1.8m T-Kable (problem solved). Found a break in the old cable at the “P” clip fixing point.
Next I started to notice a very slight imbalance in left to right channels. After replacing the cartridge tag cables and numerous other tests I decided it was the cartridge/stylus an Audionote IQ1, on inspection the stylus looked a little worn, I replaced the stylus for an Audionote IQ2 for a little while I convinced myself that this had rectified the problem. Nope! I swapped to my Goldring 2100 from the Axis (Problem solved).
The Audionote was then transferred to the Axis not nearly as noticeable imbalance, if at all. Maybe I was being too fussy?
The Axis and other components (see other threads) has now been part exchanged towards a ND5XS2&SN3 but have kept the IQ1&IQ2 for further tests!
The two LED’s on the LP12 start switch are indeed for
33 1/3 and 45 RPM via a Hercules 2 power supply.
I plan to keep the LP12 for a while but Dave and Jimmy at Audio C. Rave over the Audionote TT3 maybe one day I will audition! Anyone else had a listen to one?

The LEDs on mine are Red (33 1/3) and Blue (45) it’s a Hercules 2 PSU

Gone.

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Thanks to all for such full responses to my rather scattergun questions.

I treasure my Olive Armageddon far too much to consider changing it for something with both 33 and 45 RPM. Surely some genius at Naim could find ways of feeding it different voltages (or however else the clever thing works) to be able to play at both speeds?

It would certainly be a bit of a shock to see the LP12 revolving at a faster speed.

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@Jonners @anon70766008 I have the same Cymbiosis/AO converted Rega lifter for my ARO and that’s on my Keel/A base, so I can confirm that it can be done with a Keel as well as Kore.

Thank you, that’s kind. I shall get my dealer to speak to Cymbiosis and see about getting the lifter thingy.

I hope that they can fit it in situ at my house, as the deck is just back from having a new cartridge fitted.

I use 45rpm for albums I don’t like. They finish faster…

Great Linn innovation.

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