vinyl journey: Sony PSLX4 - Rega Planar 2 - Rega Planar 3 - Linn LP12
The latter is easily the best and just so upgradable as and when funds allow. the RP2 to 3 upgrade was silly, but I didn’t have the funds to go RP3 straight away as a student; back then it was the difference between £125 and £180!
Today I might go straight in for a top spec Rega, but the old adage rings true: listen before you buy. For example the Aro trounced the Ekos SE to these ears.
How big is your vinyl collection? That could influence your spend.
I bought a Michell Gyro SE earlier this year. Looks great and sounds great. It is also a set and forget turntable with few upgrade options. For me a LP12 is a rabbit hole I didn’t want to go down. With the Gyro it is simply a case of enjoying the music.
I did consider a Rega but we have wooden floors here and the lack of suspension on Rega turntables would require a wall mounted shelf to stop them skipping any time you get near them if on a floor standing rack.
The issue of the LP12 going off kilter is an issue of the skill of the dealer who sets it up. My LP12 has never gone off kilter in the over 35+ years i have had it. Never had a day of trouble (knock on wood…) When the cartridge wears out i could replace it with the same one if still available and the suspension would be fine. However if i change the cart i need to bring it in to tune the suspension. That is the issue.
My advice to the OP is if he lives close to a good LP12 dealer he should look at the LP12 Majik. If not then Rega or Technics or Vertere DG seem like good options.
I would just read Peter @ Cymbiosis ‘s LP12 setup guide and learn, source all the necessary, and my favourite components to build my LP12 from scratch. £5000 could do very well, once learnt you could always service the LP12 by yourself.
LP12s can be fiddly. I have had issues with Ekos SE, which needed new bearings and to be rebuilt by Linn. Also had my Akito rebuilt by Audio Origami. Other than tonearm issues my LP12 has been okay. But in principle if you have a new LP12 should be faultless for many years. I enjoy mine very much.
It’s not a straightforward plug and play turntable. They require a bit of TLC.
My Ittok LVII’s bearings died, back in the early 90s which propelled me to buy the Aro. One of the beauties of the unipivot design and the sapphire cup is minimal wear, and no need for bearings. Best outcome from a poor second hand arm.
The only other problem was a dead Cirkus; some gunk had got in and turned the mirror-finished bearing thrust plate into brushed steel! Apparently it must have happened in transit somewhere, although I was unaware. I just hated the resultant smear distortion and grainy vocals. And it’s not as if I have ever been that fond of using the deck as a personal stereo.
Solstice had some issues with cartridge compatibility … there is a long thread on this … but Naim eventually came out with a lighter counterweight to address this. I have heard it and it sounds excellent and looks great too. Setup is easy as there is no sprung suspension to tune. Issue is you are buying a small run discontinued product. Long term support could be a challenge.
