Does the prefix also fit into non LP12’s? Eg Thorens decks?
You won’t regret it. 
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I wanted to do the Lingo 4 at the same time but it was just too much of a push for me financially. I was hoping that Linn offer was going to be more like past ones. I’m retiring in two years so the Lingo will be a retirement gift for me. I’m in Canada and used Radikals are pretty rare.
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I do love my lp12 and decided on some tweaks too .
I got a good deal on a used Radikal 2 (accurate case) to replace my Radikal 1 yesterday and have placed an order for a Karousel - kind of makes sense for my dealer to do the two changes at the same time….
All my research suggests these two are the logical upgrades for my set up (already have keel with Naim Aro)
Not sure if current Linn offer of free Karousel will mean a few delays but not in a hurry as long as it’s done before the autumn kicks in!
Gary
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I haven’t read the whole thread (and i will) but my first thought was the stageline S is a very fine phono preamp indeed and suits the Delos just fine. Imo get yourself a secondhand Oliver supercap to power it, becomes a turbo charged jaw dropping stageline is what you get.
As alway be careful what you wish for, it can be a very expensive rabbit hole.
Ok read it, yes plenty upgrade option but i stand by what i say. It’s the cheapest bank for the money you will get.
Ive just come back from an afternoon listing to a rega rp7 Delos sc stageline 52/135
Wow my 2p
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Hmm that’s an interesting take, @Rooster! It has also just become clear that a stageline is used at Cymbiosis in the dem room, so maybe I was wrong in assuming it was the weak link?! A serviced prefix is what I’m going to hang on for. Quite a bit cheaper, but it also allows me to update to a kore and rad 2 in the meantime.
Who knows, it may be where I stop for a while?! By that point, I’ll have most ‘sensible stuff’ (to me) done on the LP12. Decent arm, decent cart, decent power supply, decent subchassis and with a prefix… a decent phono stage, too.
Let’s just hope these next changes bring about enough improvement to tide me over for a while! 
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Transformative upgrade, revolutionised (!) our LP12.
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The Prefix is a cracker in my opinion. It sits nicely between the Stageline and the Superline, less “hi-fi” than the Superline (which imo can be a bit guilty of that at times, though in a good way) but more musical than the Stageline.
You’ve really got to run a Supercap on it. Just like the Stageline, it lifts things to a seriously good level.
I’m not so sure about a serviced Prefix these units tend to last for years, and it even says “no serviceable parts” on the cover. I have heard about an “RF” upgrade on older units (mine has this), and I think a black SNAIC cable was another worthwhile upgrade.
A Prefix S or E should suit the Delos well, given its healthy 0.6 mV output.
Then again, I could be remembering some of this wrong my memory’s not always the best on these details! @Richard.Dane am I on the right track as far as the prefix facts?
In saying that your setup should be sounding very good and it makes me wonder why you only have 60 hours on the cart? Something doesn’t gel for me with what you have said. Gotta make sure that lp12 is happy, if not you won’t want to listen to it, if it’s dialled in you won’t want to leave home. Atb with your journey.
Just had a good look at the profile of your system. If it was me I’d
Replace the mat with a Linn one. Swap out the WH cables for Nac 5,
Just try it you never know.
I’d put an S or a K on the Delos.
Yes, RF mod and Black SNAIC are recommended on early Prefixes.
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Interesting situation. He’s was using an S Stageline, which is lovely, but it’s just on the edge around the 10 o’clock position it starts to feel a bit too much. He’s recently upgraded to a standard SuperLine, and with no plugs fitted (which I personally prefer), it’s getting a bit close even at around 9 o’clock.
We tried a 100Ω resistor, but it didn’t make much difference, he also has an Airplug at 590Ω, which helped pull things back a bit. I’ve read that a SuperLine E would be a better match for the Delos?
That said, it might be worth considering saving up for a Kleos SL or another lower-output cartridge to pair with a standard SuperLine instead.
Sorry to bother you, but I’d really value your thoughts this has been a bit of a conundrum over the last week or two.
Did he have a dedicated Hicap or Supercap on the Stageline - that really helps. IIRC @Cymbiosis has reported success even with HO MCs into Stageline S when using a dedicated PS.
The Superline has much higher gain so a 0.6mV output cart is really too much - even 0.5mV is pushing it, a Superline E with slightly lower gain is a better choice there. If using a standard Superline then Lyra offer some optimised versions of certain carts with lower (0.3mV IIRC) outputs.
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He was using a HiCap DR, then tried the 52PS and moved to a separate olive SuperCap. It sounded great, but yeah very high output, almost CD level volume.
Now with the SuperLine it’s a bit much, but the 590R plug has pulled it back closer to Stageline levels, which is much more bearable.
I owned a half used Lyra Kleos SL, which was fantastic on my Aro Prefix K. I now have a Titan i Cross Core and, yes, it’s a bit louder than the SL but it’s worth it. I’ll probably end up putting my SL on his SuperLine, which may never come back home… which gives me a lot of mixed feelings.
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Just stopped for a quick charge on the way home… can’t wait to get home and try it out. Thanks again, Peter! Always appreciate your time and thorough explanation of the workings inside the LP12 and what’s possible. Really helps me understand better for future changes!
I’ll keep you posted on how the changes sound once I get home and let it settle in.
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Wow… in a single word! Everything has been switched off for 24+hrs (and know the 250dr and 252 will definitely need time again to stabilise), but within 30 seconds of putting my first record on, it’s sounding bonkers! Yes, VERY noticeably better. I thought the Radikal 1 was great (and couldn’t understand how it could change that much for the better), but this blows it away. As great as it is/was, it never made things sound as real as this does. Literally can’t believe the difference in how believable voices sound and how much more texture and definition there is to every single instrument.
I’m going to stop now and let things warm up for a while, but wanted to let you know Peter @Cymbiosis. Wowsers, I’m in for a great weekend!
Thanks again for fitting me in so quickly and recommending the perfect upgrades!
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Keep us posted with the iterative improvements as all bed down/warm up again.
Yeah, I’ve just given it another hour just now… yeah, it’s laughably better. Sounds like a system that’s twice the size it was. I’m not sure which change is which part, but they definitely make a heck of a difference. The best way of explaining it, is ‘real’ and natural. It sounds less forced and just sounds much more organic and natural. Instruments are much easier to define in each song and they have more 3d feel to them, rather than just the sound. The sound has space and feels more tangible than before, so more like listening to real people/bands. Bass is definitely deeper, more solid and punchy, but loads more tuneful.
Needless to say, I’m very happy with the sound benefits that they’ve brought. You were absolutely right in your prediction @Loki!!
So, I did think that the stageline was holding back the scale, but a power supply upgrade and better subchassis say otherwise!
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So pleased for you!. Been there and still wearing the chain mail with a rather stylish cloak!
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Haha, yeah… I’m absolutely chuffed to bits with it! I’d say it’s a bigger change than getting the radikal 1 if I’m honest and that was great at the time, too. Seems to have made everything click.
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