LP12 Action at Rico's
Posted by: Rico on 05 May 2002
Oh yes! Spinning vinyl again.
So after nearly 4 years, I resurrected my faithful LP12. The system has moved on a bit since last use - 72/Hi/250/ES11 --> 82/SC/250/SBL and Mana.
With some trepidation I unpacked the LP12 on sunday morning, slowly reassembling things, pleased to note little damage for the time in the wilderness. Even bounces ok! So I set it up on the Mana wallshelf, re-affixed the counterweight and balanced the arm. Then plugged the Lingo in (sitting on the floor at this point)... and installed the S boards into the 82.
It certainly sounded a little cold (as in "in need of a warmup"), but soon had a smile on my face. I spent most of Sunday arvo listening, and was increasingly surprised at some of the things it clearly does better than my CDX/XPS... depite the T/T still settling in, and in need of some maintenance. I guess the Goldring Elite is not the last word in phono cartridge excitement - but its largely better (IMHO) than an OC9.
So tonight I'm finally going to BNC the Ittok cable, which will certainly improve things. I then plan on just using it for a few weeks, before visiting my local friendly dealer for fettling and repair of the Lingo (speed switching is f%#ked up). I'm looking forward to the cartridge bedding in, and the music improving with it. A few weeks later, the Weekes Mod to the Lingo will be on the cards, with the finale being the Ekos install.
The 12" of Personal Jesus had my jaw open. I've heard how good the Armageddon is, but I can't really bring myself do without the hi-fi thrills that a good E.P. can provide.
So, if you're wondering what it would be like to resurrect that LP12 that's languishing in some corner of your attic - go to it! You might be surprised.
Ricofootnote: - the LP12 depicted below is not mine.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
So after nearly 4 years, I resurrected my faithful LP12. The system has moved on a bit since last use - 72/Hi/250/ES11 --> 82/SC/250/SBL and Mana.
With some trepidation I unpacked the LP12 on sunday morning, slowly reassembling things, pleased to note little damage for the time in the wilderness. Even bounces ok! So I set it up on the Mana wallshelf, re-affixed the counterweight and balanced the arm. Then plugged the Lingo in (sitting on the floor at this point)... and installed the S boards into the 82.
It certainly sounded a little cold (as in "in need of a warmup"), but soon had a smile on my face. I spent most of Sunday arvo listening, and was increasingly surprised at some of the things it clearly does better than my CDX/XPS... depite the T/T still settling in, and in need of some maintenance. I guess the Goldring Elite is not the last word in phono cartridge excitement - but its largely better (IMHO) than an OC9.
So tonight I'm finally going to BNC the Ittok cable, which will certainly improve things. I then plan on just using it for a few weeks, before visiting my local friendly dealer for fettling and repair of the Lingo (speed switching is f%#ked up). I'm looking forward to the cartridge bedding in, and the music improving with it. A few weeks later, the Weekes Mod to the Lingo will be on the cards, with the finale being the Ekos install.
The 12" of Personal Jesus had my jaw open. I've heard how good the Armageddon is, but I can't really bring myself do without the hi-fi thrills that a good E.P. can provide.
So, if you're wondering what it would be like to resurrect that LP12 that's languishing in some corner of your attic - go to it! You might be surprised.
Ricofootnote: - the LP12 depicted below is not mine.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Rico...
When you decide to fully embrace the fundamentalist vinyl zealot that lurks within I'll be only too happy to take that nasty XPS off your hands
I can give you 2 Simple Minds LPs, 5 bottles of Stella & a Kit Kat for it
redeye
When you decide to fully embrace the fundamentalist vinyl zealot that lurks within I'll be only too happy to take that nasty XPS off your hands
I can give you 2 Simple Minds LPs, 5 bottles of Stella & a Kit Kat for it
redeye
only kidding. I have them all 
Made me laugh reading your post, though.
... about to embark on BNC surgery.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Made me laugh reading your post, though.
... about to embark on BNC surgery.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Yeah yeah yeah -you've all heard it before. BNC's are so much better. Blah blah.
Well it's true. This is not the first time I've gone through the rigmarole of terminating BNC's. But it is the first time on my own turntable in my own system. Wow.
Stuff I was listening to yesterday and wondering how I'd ever really enjoy it (major surface noise, crackle, fizzy noise destroying and clouding the music) after BNC's has deep dark black spaces, melody, punch, and layers of sound. And that was just the bleep pop of Kraftwerk! "friday night in san francisco" sounded like passionate, fluid guitars... the kind that tug at your heartstrings. Before the BNC's I was wondering if I shouldn't have bothered with another shitty sounding NZ pressing (I scored it in a used record store on saturday afternoon).
What's the bottom line? If you doubt that BNC's are a worthwhile improvement to a turntable you are currently running in to a BNC-equipped Naim preamp via RCA-BNC adaptors - just ditch the adaptors and have BNC's correctly terminated on your tonearm cable. Anything less and you are running with serious Loss Of Information.
The other change I made this evening was to solder the earth tag on my Itok lead - on inspection I saw it was a crimped connection. Well worth checking out!
What was it Howard Jones moaned about? "Things can only get better"? LP12 - you know it makes sense.
It's not as though you have to do it yourself even - your dealer will do it for you if you pay a little. The improvement in musicality is not subtle.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Well it's true. This is not the first time I've gone through the rigmarole of terminating BNC's. But it is the first time on my own turntable in my own system. Wow.
Stuff I was listening to yesterday and wondering how I'd ever really enjoy it (major surface noise, crackle, fizzy noise destroying and clouding the music) after BNC's has deep dark black spaces, melody, punch, and layers of sound. And that was just the bleep pop of Kraftwerk! "friday night in san francisco" sounded like passionate, fluid guitars... the kind that tug at your heartstrings. Before the BNC's I was wondering if I shouldn't have bothered with another shitty sounding NZ pressing (I scored it in a used record store on saturday afternoon).
What's the bottom line? If you doubt that BNC's are a worthwhile improvement to a turntable you are currently running in to a BNC-equipped Naim preamp via RCA-BNC adaptors - just ditch the adaptors and have BNC's correctly terminated on your tonearm cable. Anything less and you are running with serious Loss Of Information.
The other change I made this evening was to solder the earth tag on my Itok lead - on inspection I saw it was a crimped connection. Well worth checking out!
What was it Howard Jones moaned about? "Things can only get better"? LP12 - you know it makes sense.
It's not as though you have to do it yourself even - your dealer will do it for you if you pay a little. The improvement in musicality is not subtle.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
(Trampolin is now removed)
Great Pic, Jun! I love that plinth. 
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
"So Dr. Strangepork, do you think this radical RCA to BNC surgery would work on a P3? Both Beaker and I would be very interested to know."
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew
"Mi mi mi mi mi mi mi"
[Beaker translator on] Yes, but don't forget to dettach the electrodes [Beaker translator off]
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Does prolonged exposure to vinyl fumes make you bonkers?
I sometimes envy you guys for being able to ramble on about the permutations your TT can go through. Sooo much more complex than
- "What about you, got an XPS yet?"
- "Nah, maybe next year."
Thomas
I sometimes envy you guys for being able to ramble on about the permutations your TT can go through. Sooo much more complex than
- "What about you, got an XPS yet?"
- "Nah, maybe next year."
Thomas
quote:
"So Dr. Strangepork, do you think this radical RCA to BNC surgery would work on a P3? Both Beaker and I would be very interested to know."
Abso-f%#kin-lutely. Did this on TimO's P3 some time ago, and there was a discernable difference, more music etc etc. Mechanically I did have a little more trouble with the particular BNC's and the RB300 cable, but am sure someone must know the correct part number - if not here on the forum, perhaps Cornflake Shop?
Steve did you ever get the motor upgrade for your P3? Any others here comment?
Thomas - don't forget, there are a few die-hard XPS owners saying "nah, I'll wait another year to get that black burndy"
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
PS - Garyi - yeah I know - get out the duster. I couldn't see it till the flash fired, honest!
[This message was edited by Rico on THURSDAY 09 May 2002 at 13:57.]
Here's one I prepared earlier.
1988 vintage. Only ever had that arm fitted...
Paul
1988 vintage. Only ever had that arm fitted...
Paul
A lump of Mana
An LP12 that talks!
Steve
[This message was edited by Stevie Dempster on THURSDAY 09 May 2002 at 16:48.]
An LP12 that talks!
Steve
[This message was edited by Stevie Dempster on THURSDAY 09 May 2002 at 16:48.]
I tell you all now I am whipping my self into a frenzy with these pictures, for you see, one day all that will be mine, oh yes it will be mine!
And all this? All this will be gone. well cept the klyde.
[This message was edited by garyi on THURSDAY 09 May 2002 at 17:06.]
And all this? All this will be gone. well cept the klyde.
[This message was edited by garyi on THURSDAY 09 May 2002 at 17:06.]