LP12 + Naim/cartridge match

Posted by: Kevin-W on 18 December 2002

In the New Year I'm going to get my LP12 - Ittok LVIII - Cirkus - Valhalla - K9 serviced, as it hasn't been looked at for about 6 years.

My current system (62-HiCap-160-Heybrook HB1s) shows up the limitations of the K9, so I was thinking of spending a few hundred on a better cart, an Adikt maybe. Or should I break the budget and go for a cheapo moving coil? (This means I will have no money for other upgrades, eg a mmains spur or new supports, later in 2003). If so, what do peoople rrecommend audition? I have both MM and MC boards.

What doi you chaps think?

Cheers

Kevin

Posted on: 18 December 2002 by john rubberneck

Kevin

Why not try a goldring 1042, i did after many mc's and never looked back, also leaves money over for more gear.

Stuart

Posted on: 18 December 2002 by Phil Barry

What shape are your HB1s in? Mine, from 1984, seem to have lost their woofer surrounds. Just curious.

I used a grado Reference Platinum and Sonata in my Ittok. You could also use a high output MC, like the Dynavector 10X4.

Regards.

Phil

Posted on: 18 December 2002 by Kevin-W

My HB1s are also from '84. They are in good shape, still sounding ace, although a tweeter blew recently (a replacement from Heybrook has been ordered).

How much is the Dynavector cart you mentioned?

Kevin

Posted on: 21 December 2002 by John Bailey

I recently had my LP12 serviced and Cirkused together with a cartridge change at Grahams in London. Although it took a while it was worth the wait.

I'm not sure what contribution the Cirkus and set up is making but the sound is far more mature and even handed than previously and tracking vastly improved with a much lower level of surface noise.

In the past I have used K9 and Blue Point cartridges (the latter being superior) but the current encumbent is a Dynavector DV-20X and despite the cost (£340) I think it was worth the money.