K18....HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

Posted by: trickytree on 04 July 2003

Hi all.

When I bought my s/h LP12 a while ago it came with a K18 cartridge fitted, and as it seemed to be in good condition I didnt change it.
As a new cartridge will most likely be my next upgrade I was just wondering how it compares with other cartridges. How much did it cost when new?
In my system it seems to sound quite neutral, bass bloom is not a problem and treble is smooth if not particularly extended.
The only other cartridge that ive owned was the Goldring 1012 and 1042 fitted on my old Planar 3, how does the K18 compare with the Goldrings?

Cheers, Paul.

P.S. ..Its actualy a K18 mk2
Posted on: 04 July 2003 by Colin Ackerman
Hi

I use a K9 on the TT in my second system, the K18 was higher in the range. You will need to move to a MC to improve on this good MM cart.
The K18 is more detailed than the Goldrings.

Colin.
Posted on: 04 July 2003 by trickytree
Colin,

Agreed on both points. I am very happy with the 18, and will most likely move up to a M/C

Paul
Posted on: 04 July 2003 by blythe
After about 10 years (!) I swapped my K18 for a Dynavector DV20X which is a big improvement. I think the K18 was around £150 but can't really remember.
The new DV20X was £250? Again i can't be sure of the price as it wasn't individually listed on my invoice along with some other kit..

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 04 July 2003 by afshar
I had a K9 for years and loved it. One of the best balanced cartridges ever. The big brother K18 was fatter in the base but not as accurate. I have now upgraded to a Linn Adikt. A big improvement and a wonderful sound. Very musical and fairly dynamic, but only after a good month or more of break in. A new Adikt our of the box has a upper mid peak that smooths out with extended use. BTW the Adikt works especially well in an Aro.

Ira
Posted on: 05 July 2003 by prowla
My LP12 (now in the loft :-() has a K18. I always thought that I would only upgrade it to an MC.
It's also worth remembering that you'll need different input cards in your preamp to go from MM to MC.

Paul
Posted on: 05 July 2003 by trickytree
LOFT Eek !!!....

...Have got some K boards many miles away so no problems there. Yes, a nice new MC is on the shopping list. No budget at the moment as Iv'e never had the LP12 checked/serviced since I bought it ( s/h ) so it may well need money spending elswhere.

Paul.
Posted on: 05 July 2003 by prowla
Yep - loft.
Packed away because of kids. I kept on finding it slightly shifted on its table, and after I replaced the 2nd set of lid hinges I decided I was on a losing battle. Apparently one poisonous little witch even stood on it!
Hopefully will reappear along with my vinyl collection (also in loft) some day...
Posted on: 06 July 2003 by bjorne
[QUOTE]Originally posted by afshar:
BTW the Adikt works especially well in an Aro./QUOTE]

Hi Ira. I suppose you use a LP12/Aro, right? I ask because I'm looking for a replacement cartridge for my LK18. I have tried a Clearaudio mm cart, don't remember the name of it but it was their best model with the body made of wood. I'm sure it's a good cartridge but it failed to convince me in my sistem. Have you , or someone else, tried other mm carts with a Lp12/Aro? And before someone starts suggesting moving coils: I refuse, they tend to be so b****y expensive... Smile and then you must start to think about phonostages also.
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by Team Reeves
Prowla,

Mine also spent 5-6 years in the loft (and in various shipping containers worldwide) while the little ones grew up. Prepare to be amazed at what it sounds like when it re-emerges after your enforced diet of digital.

Quote by a pupil at my school, "Records ? Oh, yeah, those are big black CDs aren't they ?

Sounds good to me.
Posted on: 07 July 2003 by Mekon
quote:
Originally posted by bjorne:
Hi Ira. I suppose you use a LP12/Aro, right? I ask because I'm looking for a replacement cartridge for my LK18. I have tried a Clearaudio mm cart, don't remember the name of it but it was their best model with the body made of wood. I'm sure it's a good cartridge but it failed to convince me in my sistem. Have you , or someone else, tried other mm carts with a Lp12/Aro? And before someone starts suggesting moving coils: I refuse, they tend to be so b****y expensive... Smile and then you must start to think about phonostages also.


I demmed the Adikt against the DV-10X5. My deck is lower spec (ittok), but the 10X5 entirely justified the small difference in price, the Adikt seemed a bit clumsy with the basslines in comparison.
Posted on: 08 July 2003 by afshar
Hi Bjorne,

I went directly from the K9 to the Linn Adikt. In between I went through my dealer's entire inventory of cartridges which included all of the Linn MC models, the Goldrings MCs and the Lyra Helikon. I have never heard the Dynavectors so I can't compare, but at least in my experience all the moving coils that I have heard are not as well balanced as are MMs. They each offer, however, superior performance in specific areas. One may have better bass, another a more dynamic presentation etc. but I find all of these affections unnatural. The Linn Akikt while not as outstanding in many areas in which the MCs excells offers the best combination of virtues for the price. But please note again that one cannot AB an Adikt out of the box or even one that has a few weeks of playing time on it. It takes well over a month for the darn thing to break in and then one has to very carefully set VTA to obtain the best performance. BTW all listening was done using an Aro, LP 12, Armageddon.

Ira