s/h Ittoks

I didn't get to test the difference out in isolation, in that I had a DV10X5 fitted, and got the LP12 serviced at the same time. However, compared to the LVX+MF3 (which I sold for £72 on Ebay) I had before, it is night and day. My CD3.5 sounds like it is running on dodgy batteries in comparison.

In terms of price, the key is to avoid Ebay. IIRC, they've gone for over £500 recently, and regularly top £300. I paid £200 to another board member, and found two others well below £300.

Check PFM for how to do the bearing check. I took the seller on his word, and when I had it fitted the dealer said that they were 'in very good condition'. I was going to buy one off another board member, and he agreed to have it checked and confirmed by his dealer before sale, which seemed like a good idea.

Buying one with an LP12, then putting your old arm on the donor deck would prolly be cost effective, but introduces new variables, like the risk of a dodgy deck. If you know your way around an LP12, it looks to be the cheapest way to go.

Remember, the Ittok isn't the only suitable uprgrade from an LVX. Mission 774, Zeta, and Syrinx are meant to be very competitive (check vinyl asylum). I note that there is a PU2 on ebay at the mo'. More knowledgeable heads than me will prolly tell you whether it is this or the PU3 that is the one to go for.

There is only one on ebay completed items at the mo, and it went for £310. In comparison, LP12 & Ittoks went for £628 - £750. Assuming you would source and sell thru' ebay, and that £300 is normal for ittoks, and £70 is normal for LVX, you'd want £440-ish for your donor deck plus LVX. Looking at completed LP12s with LVX, you could end up stung. I guess sourcing elsewhere would be the key to it.

[This message was edited by Mekon on THURSDAY 22 May 2003 at 15:40.]

Well worth the upgrade, the difference is substantial. I got one for £280 from someone who had upgraded to an Ekos. The main potential problem is bearing wear. I was lucky and the seller agreed to my request to have the bearings checked out by my local Linn dealer before settling the deal.

Separate Ittoks don't come up that often so you might be better to look for a complete T/T, with arm. The Series LVIII is reputedly the best Ittok but the LVII is not far behind (allegedly).

David

"Beauty is in the eye of the Beer-holder"

I upgraded my Basik after a couple of years to an Ittok LVIII and the difference was huge.

I think they go for such high prices on eBay partly because it's a well-made arm (a Linn dealer told me earlier this year that the bearings in my 1989 Ittok were still in very good condition) the next upgrade is either an ARO or an Ekos, both of which are well in excess of a grand. I have to confess that when I upgrade to an Aro or Ekos (next year I hope) I will be flogging it on ebay to part-finance the new arm.

Don't forget, Seagull, that if you buy an Ittok seperately you'll have to fit it yourself, or pay someone else to fit it.

I used to have a Syrinx LE1 arm on my old Heybrook TT2, it was a pretty good arm but of all arms I've heard the Ittok is definitely the best in its class.

Kevin

Hi seagull,
One of the old dealer dem. tricks was to set up a Ittok with the [I think]K9 I do remember that it cost about £18 at the time in a comparison with the Basik and Linn's top of the range cartridge,you will have to forgive my poor memory it was a few years ago OR put it down to old age, but the Ittok with the cheap
cartridge saw off the other combination
A great upgrade for not a lot of cash
good luck
Oldie

Have you ever had a dealer "do the 'dem" through the range of Linn arms? It took me about 3 seconds to resolve that I would never have anything less than an Ittok when my dealer did the dem many years ago. In my opinion they are very solidly engineered AND built.

Markus
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Seagull,
I have initiated a private topic. I'm not sure how it works, so if you can't read it, please drop me a line at
jean.marc.pezet at libertysurf dot fr

thanks
JM

A black Ittok LVII just wwent on eBay for £401!?

Kevin

I agree its a great upgrade. I first heard this at the NAIM open day in 18something or other. I did the upgrade my self several years ago. It seemed as big a jump as adding a Hi-cap in that NAIM dem.

Howard