How fierce is K9's bite?
Posted by: Andrew Randle on 25 January 2002
Well, I've just got my LP12 from the courier this morning and after suffering the embarrasment of trying the install the inner platter with its clear-plastic bearing sheath attached (nobody told me about this !!) I'm rocking and rolling.
At the moment I'm using an outboard Valhalla in a Lingo case (used by the dealer for quick swapping demos) until my Lingo arrives. Won't get my Lingo until the end of February - Linn are redesigning the Lingo with a switch-mode power supply.
Anyway, there is one niggle. A sharp acidic treble and a hardening of sound when the mix gets dense. Infact the Genki has much sweeter treble (which is sweet anyway), less fatiguing and better bass (something that the Lingo will redress).
I'm using an Akito and K9 from the old deck (a Basik). The dealer inspected the stylus and said it was not yet ready for binning, but was getting worn.
So, is it the K9? I kind of recall hearing some big criticisms about the K9. What are the MMs alternatives out there and what do you like about them?
These will be weighed up against the forthcoming Linn Adikt MM cartridge (priced in K18 territory).
Ta Ta 4 now,
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by Phil Barry
I remember the K9 as sort of fierce, moreso with an Akito, but smoother than a Blue Point Special. Are the Akito bearings OK?
A Grado Platinum Reference is warmer by far, though woolier, too. A lot of people like th Dynavector 10X4, a high output MC.
Phil
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by Andrew Randle
Thanks for the replies so far. One thing I'm not sure on is what effect mistracking has on the sound.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by jcc
Mistracking can sound just as you described. Try turning yer tracking force up a little bit.
hth,
jim
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by Andrew Randle
It's on 1.7g. 1.75 was a bit stodgy. 1.65 was a bit light-weight.
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by Dev B
Sorry to be a party pooper but the K9 is a fierce pile of shit and should be discarded. It is really grim.
Try a cheapo Dynavector instead.
regards
Dev
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by Paul Ranson
'Source first' has knobs on when it comes to proper mechanical transducers.
The K9 may be worn out, but it's otherwise not the problem. Ekos next.....
It used to be a regular Linn demo, Ittok/Troika vs Ekos/K18. The latter wins every time, and not by just a bit.
Paul
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by jcc
quote:
The K9 may be worn out, but it's otherwise not the problem.
i agree with paul. get thee an ittok, ekos or even better, an ARO. you can then save some money on a lesser cartridge for the moment.
just another opinion
jim
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by Rico
The K9 does play music. It's just very brash at the extremes (which in this case is from the mid upwards)
As all here will know, I'm no K9 fan. It is however a good match for the akito. To me the K18 is a better behaved K9.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by jcc
andrew
have you taken a look at the vta? i've had some good results from k9's with the arm a bit low towards the counterweight.
jim
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by Darren Cotter
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by John G.
The K9 is a fine cartridge and should sound very good. I have alot experience with the K9 on Regas, Linn Basiks and Ittoks. The problem is that it is worn and remounted on a different arm. After a cartridge has a hundred hours or so it develops a wear pattern... if it is removed and remounted even on the same arm it's very unlikely it will line up geometrically the same as before. The result is mistracking and record damage. Best to start with a new cartridge mounted correctly and keep it that way until it is worn out.
Posted on: 25 January 2002 by dave simpson
Hi John,
"After a cartridge has a hundred hours or so it develops a wear pattern..."
I heard twenty (!) hours (either from Linn or Audiophile Systems). Regardless, I think you're right about the K9 (or any cartridge) and a wear pattern developing (consequently changing diamond alignment speeds up wear). I even avoid re-aligning the armboard during a table re-set. I also replace stripped cartridge bolts or nuts one at a time, to avoid movement of the cartridge's original mounting position.
regards,
dave
[This message was edited by dave simpson on SATURDAY 26 January 2002 at 05:40.]
Posted on: 26 January 2002 by Andrew Randle
quote:
I looked at your profile and saw you were using: Kolektor/LK140/K400/Katans. Have you considered the Linn Forum?
I have considering asking the Linn Forum, but activity there is slow. Also I thought I recalled there being some negative feeling about the K9 on this forum. The replies so far have confirmed my suspicions about the K9, so thanks lads!
An Ekos or Aro is on the cards. I will be doing the demo in a couple of weeks.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 26 January 2002 by Bob Edwards
Andrew--
I think John G said it well--the K9 is a very good sounding cartridge when correctly installed from the beginning. Is it as good as, say, a Karma? Of course not--for the price the K9 was terrific. I remember the first time I heard an Ekos--the infamous Ekos/K9 sounding a lot better than an Ittok/Troika.
The K9 is a little bright and forward but nowhere near as bad in that respect as a BPS, for example. The K9 also plays tunes and times very well. Highly musical, not the greatest at resolution or imaging/soundstaging.
Cheers,
Bob
Posted on: 27 January 2002 by David Stewart
I was recently fortunate enough to pick up an excellent s-hand Ittok (thanks Richard!). Having now had it installed on the LP12 with the original K9 from the Basik, it makes a world of difference to the K9s tracking ability and reduces the tendency towards harshness and glare quite markedly - definitely a very worthwhile upgrade!! It now happily deals with the sort of dynamics that would have had it in a state of total confusion on the Basik arm!
On another point my dealer advised me to be particularly careful about stylus cleanliness as this can also be a major source of noise and tracking problems. His advice was not to rely on dry-brushing the stylus, but regularly clean it with a short bristle wet-brush system (eg the Disc Doctor or similar). Recent Experience shows this to be excellent advice.
David S
