My buddy, Svelte Dave, is a fitness freak - high altitude hybrid biking ( Dawes 501 ) - but lately he is looking somewhat gaunt and his neck is taking on the appearance of an escalator in a Sears department store.
Dave suffered a major setback last year when his basement - which housed his entire vinyl collection -was hit by a flash flood.
Dave has offered me his LP12 ( Grace 707 arm, Supex 900 Super cartridge ) on a permanent loan basis but he insists that I keep it - with no mods - in its original 1979 spec.
I favor the Rega Planar 2 which has given me endless pleasure every time I settle the stylus into the groove of a Stax pressing.
Should I replace the Rega with the LP12 given the restrictive conditions?
I would appreciate your views.
Posted on: 11 October 2001 by quincy
My Rega Planar 2 has served me well over the years and fine-looking babes have succumbed to my considerable charm when the stylus nestled in William Bell's groove. It's been a lucky charm and I'm loathe to part with it for fear that the spell is broken.
You know what I'm saying?
quote:
Originally posted by Daveyp:
The LP12 everytime!He's right to insist on keeping the deck in its current status, it was a classic combination in the decks earliest days (smoked lid also I guess) and if its stayed that way this long it would be sacrilege to upgrade it. If anyone wants a later spec then go buy another to sit alongside it rather than tampering with that one.
Agreed the Supex should definitely be retipped before you put it near a record (if you value your collection) also I would suggest the deck has a set up check/service, emphasizing the importance to the dealer of not changing base components (about £90).
LP12/Grace/Supex....mmmm I want one too.
Of course you were joking about the Planar 2 being on the level or better weren't you, if you do feel this way it reinforces my view that the LP12 probably needs a bit of TLC in the setting up dept.
