I’m looking for a little help on the best next upgrade, as I’m fed up of reading non-stop conflicting stances!
I’ve not been using my system for several months now, so thought an upgrade would cure that one. I’d decided getting a better phono stage would help, as I’m currently using a stageline s powered through my 252. My plan was a Linn Urika 1 and hope it lets my barely used Lyra Delos really breathe. It’s only at 60hrs since new, but whilst my system sounds good, I know I’m running it through a basic phono stage.
But, would I be better upgrading my radikal 1 to a radikal 2 first? I know I need to also do my subchassis too, but I’m trying to do these individually, so I can tell the improvement each makes and also minimise cost in one go.
My plan will be to ultimately do all three… but not in one go. I just always like to make noticeable improvements at each step, rather than them feeling sidesteps until the final piece is added!
I have read about these, gets mentioned lots, but don’t think it suits the Lyra Delos. Think the output is too high?! Regardless… did it make a big difference getting a better phonostage? I’ve been told it won’t be as big of a gain as getting the radikal or subchassis done. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but got a feeling the stageline is holding my system back at the moment??!
Looks like you have a good deck. My only comment is that some years ago I heard a Stageline at a dealer. I thought it was “very ordinary”. My cheapish Lehmann Black Cube SE was miles better. I still run it with my Lingo 1 deck. I think you should hear a couple of better phone stages, imho.
Hmmmm so my suspicions are possibly correct… the phono stage does make more of a difference than a barely noticeable difference until all the other upgrades are done first! Hmmmm
You have a Cymbiosis LP12 so the logical step would be to speak with @Cymbiosis don’t you think? My thoughts are that you already have a Radikal 1 so the next step should be a Keel/Karousel followed by Urika. That would seem to give you a baseline for the future. The skys the limit then
Well, I agree @Paul52135. I’ve asked to be put on the waiting list for a urika, but I haven’t spoken to Peter, as he’s a busy guy and sure he’d never sleep if he had to answer questions all day.
I know that ultimately everything needs doing (I do have a karousel already btw), but my budget isn’t limitless, sadly. He’s mentioned before that the radikal 2 update is very worthwhile doing, as is subchassis, but I’m wondering if changing these now won’t be heard until I change the phono stage. Is it a big bottleneck currently, which once freed up (and also freeing up the 252) will allow me to hear more of my previous updates.
Whilst I know there is an upgrade theory, sometimes some can surprise you and be much bigger than you thought. I’ve heard the most fundamental change (the karousel) to be ‘meh’ (not my opinion), but the cartridge make a huge difference. So know it’s more nuanced than the guidelines being followed so rigidly.
Given you’ve not listened to you system for several month, it’s safe to assume you are not enjoying listening to it. Is improving what you’ve got in terms of improving hifi the way to go.
18 months ago I replaced my old turntable with a Denon DP3000NE. In terms of HiFi probably not as good as I was using, but it’s extremely enjoyable to use and listen too. I’m listening to 4 albums a day and bought more new albums in the last 18 months than I’d bought in the previous 30 years. Streaming is now redundant (but I won’t be getting rid of the Ndac ).
Choose enjoyment over better hifi.
Having said all that. A Hicap DR to power the stageline might be a good option.
Well, I think you should!
Yes, I am a busy guy but I answer emails at pretty much any time provided you can put up with my dictated messages via Siri.
The hierarchy of importance as far as I’m concerned and also the factory is concerned is
number one bearing
Number two power supply
Number three sub-chassis
Number four arm
Number five cartridge
Number six phono stage
Obviously I’m limited to the advice I can give you here being a dealer but suffice to say there are a lot of very cost-effective options at the moment and you may have your name down for a Urika but realistically they’re far wide of ways of spending the money.
Do you have the Karousel yet? This is one of those upgrades were really nobody disagrees. It is a fantastic lift in performance for a relatively small amount of money so when you do your cost benefit sums that’s the one to go for provided you have an external power supply that doesn’t have safety issues when used with the Karousel (always worthwhile anybody checking this out with their Linn Products retailer first) and you don’t because you have a Radikal
I’m sure many here are aware new products were launched by Linn Products Ltd in October last year.
Consequently, there are lots of power supply options that I can think of I could list six quite easily to you! There are also many sub chassis options!
When I mention this I’m talking about not necessarily new kit but nice secondhand kit that has been traded in. So, seeing as you’re not adverse to X demo or use kit given you are on the list for a. Urika and his fair to say I do have several people on my waiting list so I’m not exactly sure who is behind the pseudo name but hopefully now you know what to do or what to consider
Please remember, always happy to advise and just this week I’ve been helping people in America, France Germany, and the Netherlands make the right choices with their own retailers locally! Having the right knowledge and advice is so important when there are so many possibilities/variables to consider. Having 24LP 12s on demonstration at the shop at the moment does allow me to address each of the individual grade separately thus allowing me to suggest the best deployment of funds to the maximum benefit.
KR, Peter
Very kind of you to reach out on here, much appreciated!
You built my lp12 several years ago now, the black plinth one with the black ittok that has the Audio Origami rewire. My most recent change was to the Lyra delos about 15-16 months ago. Not sure if you remember who I am or not! You also fitted the karousel and radikal.
I know you’ve mentioned to me previously that changing power supply to radikal 2 would probably be the best next step, but wasn’t sure if this was still the best option, given I’ve felt a little disconnected with it… even though I love the Lyra cart you fitted. I plan on changing to radikal 2 at some point and also changing the subchassis from the majik you fitted it with from the beginning. Just didn’t think kore would be enough of a change, again… I could be wrong.
Ultimately, if I could throw £6-7k at it now, I would, but my Wife wants a nice holiday this year, my Son is also 18 next month, so I have to be sensible and keep it to one change at the moment.
It might be best I give you/Wayne a call. If a urika is wrong (which probably isn’t wrong on the grand scheme of things), but happy to be proven wrong.
I had considered the Superline, but with them being unserviceable now, it kind of put me off. A shame, as it discards another very viable option, but don’t want to be stuck with something that’s either hard to move on, or becomes a large paperweight!!
Haha or the urika… which would be more modern and utilise the radikal power supply. Never heard a prefix, but assumed they were much the same cards inside as a stageline, but benefitted from the short arm cable etc. Not sure if a prefix would be as good in this day and age, as good as they once were?!?
A serviced Prefix either by the factory or by Class A will mean it sounds indistinguishable from a new one if they were still available.
Referring to your previous post I agree, Travel is important with one’s loved ones and as many here know, I travel extensively when I get the opportunity and there’s no need to choose one over the other in your case. There are plenty of secondhand. Kores about and also Radikal 2s. Or if you wish to stick with your particular Radikal, there is also an upgrade kit available to convert from a series one to a series 2. Anyway, as a retailer and my advice should be general and I don’t wish to of cause problems regarding moderation here so I will leave it there with just the comment that you have lots of options and they may well cost less than you think.
Regards, Peter
Hmmm thank you Peter, I think the best thing for me to do is to give you a call or ping you an email regarding your points. Sounds like there are definitely some options, so would be great to discuss further!
Yup. Just had mine serviced; sounding very lovely via the powered aux on the 282/Supercap. Rad1 upgrade sounds enticing. Karousel and Rad1 were the clearest (!) upgrades with huge improvements to our LP12.
Yes, there you go! low cost for a Prefix and a service and it takes quite a lot of beating. Of course, you can improve it substantially by pairing it with a Hi-Cap or even a Supercap, but they are as rare as hens teeth these days with no equivalent/compatible PS offered by HQ these days I have been asking for this situation to be rectified as it wouldn’t be that hard and there is significant demand for compatible power supplies out there!!!
Yes having a Radikal 2 upgrade kit is just one of the very cost-effective options, as is trading a Radikal 1 in for a pre-owned Radikal 2 or machined Radikal that’s been traded in against a KR3. The same situation exists with sub-chassis too following the launch of the Keel SE. This is basically suggesting Storm 1have a look at as currently there are lots of options out there!
KR.
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