Got Lucky This Weekend
Posted by: John on 27 May 2002
Got your attention! picked up a Linn LP12, SME (series III) arm, grado cartridge and 225LPs in mint condition at a garage sale for $150! The LP12 works fine but I need to find some links that can help with fine tuning it along with links on the SME arm. I also can't find the serial# is it hidden somewhere strange on the TT?
Any help is appreciated.
John
Any help is appreciated.
John
Posted on: 27 May 2002 by John
James, unfortunately it didn't come with anything. I have the phone number of seller so I can followup on missing parts. Are there any tools, etc. contained in the original package?
I have been reading the information from OriginLive which is interesting but not very clear to me now. I probably need to open it up before it will make sense.
I am also not sure what is my best setup options now. I am currently running an XX2/P9/Prefix in my main system. I tried the LP12 on my system downstairs (very low end) as the Grado has an output of 3Mv.
I am thinking my possible options are:
1. Use my Benz M2 with the E internal boards and run both TTs together. Problem: the internal boards compromise my 52s performance.
2. Mount my RB900 on the LP12 and mount my prefix inside. This way I could use the XX2. Problems?
3. Use the Grado and just us another input.
John
I have been reading the information from OriginLive which is interesting but not very clear to me now. I probably need to open it up before it will make sense.
I am also not sure what is my best setup options now. I am currently running an XX2/P9/Prefix in my main system. I tried the LP12 on my system downstairs (very low end) as the Grado has an output of 3Mv.
I am thinking my possible options are:
1. Use my Benz M2 with the E internal boards and run both TTs together. Problem: the internal boards compromise my 52s performance.
2. Mount my RB900 on the LP12 and mount my prefix inside. This way I could use the XX2. Problems?
3. Use the Grado and just us another input.
John
Posted on: 28 May 2002 by Paul Ranson
LP12s from the last 22 years have fluting on the front and sides and a smooth rear complete with a label with serial number. Earlier ones had fluting all round and may have a different labelling arrangement. Examination of the inside should be enlightening. Any photos you can post will help.
Priorities should be servicing, power supply and arm. IMO the SME is pointless in this company, a Basik LVX should be better. In the old days it was possible to scavenge bearings, subchassis and arm boards from Cirkus upgrades.
Paul
Priorities should be servicing, power supply and arm. IMO the SME is pointless in this company, a Basik LVX should be better. In the old days it was possible to scavenge bearings, subchassis and arm boards from Cirkus upgrades.
Paul
Posted on: 28 May 2002 by Arthur Bye
John wrote:
John: Per a conversation I had with Dave Dever the Supercap has dedicated rails for input 1 of the 52. Removing or installing boards should not affect sound quality. I know that there are those who disagree, but I can't tell any difference.
I don't particularly like the idea of surgery on your P9 just to see if you like the LP12. I have heard mixed reviews on installing an RB900 on an LP12 (some love it, some hate it). You may need a special arm board. Better you should go the easy route first with the Grado and SME and see if you like it. Hopefully this combo will be able to impart some of the LP12 sound.
If that's no good then try your Benz with the internal E card and just don't use the P9 if it screws up the sound.
Tony Lonorgan's site at pinkfishmedia (don't know the URL) should also have some more downloads of LP12 setup along with a serial # history of the LP12.
Give us a photo (front, back, bottom) and we can tell you more.
Call the person you bought it from and see if they have any of the packing. You'll need it eventually if you want to sell it. There should be a red cap in the packing that is used to cover the spindle hole so you can turn the table over. Other wise just use some Saran Wrap and a rubber band to cover the spindle hole, but make sure it's not leaking. You have to use special Linn oil here if you lose it (some disagree with this).
Arthur Bye
quote:
Use my Benz M2 with the E internal boards and run both TTs together. Problem: the internal boards compromise my 52s performance
John: Per a conversation I had with Dave Dever the Supercap has dedicated rails for input 1 of the 52. Removing or installing boards should not affect sound quality. I know that there are those who disagree, but I can't tell any difference.
I don't particularly like the idea of surgery on your P9 just to see if you like the LP12. I have heard mixed reviews on installing an RB900 on an LP12 (some love it, some hate it). You may need a special arm board. Better you should go the easy route first with the Grado and SME and see if you like it. Hopefully this combo will be able to impart some of the LP12 sound.
If that's no good then try your Benz with the internal E card and just don't use the P9 if it screws up the sound.
Tony Lonorgan's site at pinkfishmedia (don't know the URL) should also have some more downloads of LP12 setup along with a serial # history of the LP12.
Give us a photo (front, back, bottom) and we can tell you more.
Call the person you bought it from and see if they have any of the packing. You'll need it eventually if you want to sell it. There should be a red cap in the packing that is used to cover the spindle hole so you can turn the table over. Other wise just use some Saran Wrap and a rubber band to cover the spindle hole, but make sure it's not leaking. You have to use special Linn oil here if you lose it (some disagree with this).
Arthur Bye
Posted on: 28 May 2002 by Phil Barry
Sounds like a very old LP12, if it's got the SME III arm. The SME was optimized for high compliance carts, like the Shure V15 (now in VMR clothing). The audio police frown on high compliance carts now, particularly those from the Linn precinct. I don't know if they have it right, though.
I'm with Arthur - the Linn may not be at its best with the Rega arm, and I'd hate to mess with the P9.
Does the formwer owner know much about the deck? Does it have Nirvana mods, etc? Which dealer did he use, and are they still in business?
At the price you paid (like, the guy gave you $75 to take it away, right?), why not treat your new deck to a full Linn factory trained setup? I'd avoid the Cirkus unless they give it away - they'll probably recommend it.
Also, the bearings on the SME should be checked. If they're OK, you could experiment with cheap MM carts (Shure, Grado) or a low output Benz ACE or Benz Gold - but I'd try for the highest compliance I could get, with the SME
The biggest question is this: how many of the records do you like?
Congratulations.
Phil
I'm with Arthur - the Linn may not be at its best with the Rega arm, and I'd hate to mess with the P9.
Does the formwer owner know much about the deck? Does it have Nirvana mods, etc? Which dealer did he use, and are they still in business?
At the price you paid (like, the guy gave you $75 to take it away, right?), why not treat your new deck to a full Linn factory trained setup? I'd avoid the Cirkus unless they give it away - they'll probably recommend it.
Also, the bearings on the SME should be checked. If they're OK, you could experiment with cheap MM carts (Shure, Grado) or a low output Benz ACE or Benz Gold - but I'd try for the highest compliance I could get, with the SME
The biggest question is this: how many of the records do you like?
Congratulations.
Phil
Posted on: 28 May 2002 by John
I will contact the seller tonight to try and get some info. The LPs are great about 1/3 fit nicely into my collection, 1/3 are early pressings that will probably replace some of my existing LPs and the balance I will sell. There are a handful of Sheffield and MFSL pressings.
I will try and get some pics up this weekend as I don't have a digital camera. I seems to make sense getting it up and running with the SME/Grado for now. Can I just use a different input on my 52 (with a DIN adaptor)? The Grado has an output of 3mV. What about the ground lead?
John
For now I want to play with it and do alot of reading on tuning it. This will give me an idea of the maintenance on the TT. If I really like it I might upgrade it.
I will try and get some pics up this weekend as I don't have a digital camera. I seems to make sense getting it up and running with the SME/Grado for now. Can I just use a different input on my 52 (with a DIN adaptor)? The Grado has an output of 3mV. What about the ground lead?
John
For now I want to play with it and do alot of reading on tuning it. This will give me an idea of the maintenance on the TT. If I really like it I might upgrade it.
Posted on: 28 May 2002 by Arthur Bye
John:
The hardest part about setting up the LP12 is setting the 3 suspension springs right so that you get the proper bounce. Also note that the spings are not symetrical(sp?). It should bounce up and down, not sideways. The next bit is to make sure the "P" clip is set up right so that it doesn't affect the movement of the arm or the suspension.
Initially these adjustments are complicated, but after you've done it once or twice it becomes easier. If you've ever watched someone who knows what they're doing it's kind of embarrasing how easy it is.
It seems to me that I saw a post about Mana racks, which you have, where you can use them in lieu of an LP12 adjustment stand. I think you just remove the baseboard off the LP12 and set the TT sideways on the Mana rack and then you can adjust the springs from underneath. You'll probably have to remove a glass shelf or two in the process. Keep everything level too.
Don't know about the 3Mv output from the Grado cartridge though. Keep in mind that Grado's tend to be fat, or bloomy, on the bottom and MM cartridges can sometimes sound sluggish against MC ones.
Arthur Bye
The hardest part about setting up the LP12 is setting the 3 suspension springs right so that you get the proper bounce. Also note that the spings are not symetrical(sp?). It should bounce up and down, not sideways. The next bit is to make sure the "P" clip is set up right so that it doesn't affect the movement of the arm or the suspension.
Initially these adjustments are complicated, but after you've done it once or twice it becomes easier. If you've ever watched someone who knows what they're doing it's kind of embarrasing how easy it is.
It seems to me that I saw a post about Mana racks, which you have, where you can use them in lieu of an LP12 adjustment stand. I think you just remove the baseboard off the LP12 and set the TT sideways on the Mana rack and then you can adjust the springs from underneath. You'll probably have to remove a glass shelf or two in the process. Keep everything level too.
Don't know about the 3Mv output from the Grado cartridge though. Keep in mind that Grado's tend to be fat, or bloomy, on the bottom and MM cartridges can sometimes sound sluggish against MC ones.
Arthur Bye