New Lingo

Posted by: Paul B on 10 February 2002

Quite recently someone made passing mention of a "new" Lingo. My Linn dealer has not heard anything about this. Does it really exist?

Who has seen and listened to the new Lingo?

Paul

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew L. Weekes
There have been two recent changes to the Lingo, as far as I know.

The first was a move to the new, full-width (Linn) box used by the preamps / power amps, with little, if any, further changes.

More recently the circuit has been updated to surface mount technology, and Linn are reporting sonic improvements as a result, although I suspect the drive to the new version was related primarily to component obsolescence.

Andy.

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
Hopefully, the courier will be delivering me one this morning (replacing an outboard Valhalla in a Lingo box). With a bit of luck I will be able to comment later in the day.

There was a rumour that there'd be a switch-mode power supply. Sadly this is not the case.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Paul Ranson
quote:
There was a rumour that there'd be a switch-mode power supply. Sadly this is not the case.

It would have to be an SMPS just for the Lingo to cater for the need for a high voltage supply as well as the 'normal' low voltage.

Paul

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
Paul Ranson said:
quote:
It would have to be an SMPS just for the Lingo to cater for the need for a high voltage supply as well as the 'normal' low voltage.

Paul, are you referring to the switch used to change voltage compatibility with different countries? If so, then you're understanding of a SMPS is NOT correct.

A SMPS removes the need for a massive transformer and relies on a solid state switch that charges and discharges a capacitor network. This can be seen in Linn's Brilliant power supply and I believe in some Chord amplifiers. It can also be found in the supply block of laptop computers and indeed in the power supply unit of a PC.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Paul Ranson
quote:
are you referring to the switch used to change voltage compatibility with different countries?

No, the Lingo needs a 'normal' voltage for its signal generation circuitry, and something rather higher for its output.

I've just looked inside mine, there appear to be + and - 12 volt supplies, and a +300. Which is rather more than I was expecting. Take care in there.

Anyway Linn could obviously use a Brilliant module for the +-12, but would still need a transformer to isolate and step down/up the high voltage supply.

Paul

[This message was edited by Paul Ranson on MONDAY 11 February 2002 at 15:24.]

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
OK Paul, thanks for the clarification. I also wasn't aware of these kinds of different supplies, makes sense though: 300V for the motor and 12V for the control circuitry.

Anyway, I've had a good spin with the Lingo today (I'm supposed to be working from home!). Initially the LP12 was powered down overnight as the Valhalla had to be boxed for the dealer.

From the off, the Lingo gave a more spritely presentation, better speed and detail than the Valhalla. Bass was tighter, but there were some initial concerns. Bass wasn't as deep as the Valhalla, the LP12 lost it's characterful body and there was less in the way of brooding darkness.

After a couple of hours of leaving it to spin I tried again. All the plus points were still there, however the bass and character improved beyond that of the Valhalla! Plus there was more groovitatious boogying!

Nice one. I'm off to do more work...

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Simon Jenkins
Andrew,

Hopefully your lingo should continue getting better for a while yet.

I find that it takes a long time to warm up properly, maybe 3-4 weeks. This also seems to be the case if it is powered off for any length of time as well.

I've had 3 Lingo's now dating from a very early (in the first 100 to be made) up to my current one which is about 18 months old, and they have all taken this long to warm up properly.

Having said this I haven't tried just switching the the turntable on and leaving it to run for a while, so this may speed up the warm up.

Simon

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Thomas K
Hey you vinyl nutters!

Sadly, I invested heavily into CD replay and gave away my vinyl collection before I realized how thrilling a TT can sound.

I recently heard the new Lingo perform in direct comparison with the old one (LP12/Linn System Controller/Klimax Twin/Espek?). The improvement was quite pronounced: increased bass tightness and less 'nervousness' generally. Might seem like dubious advice coming from a CD dork like me, but I think this is a must-dem for anyone with the old Lingo.

It is hard to believe how the PSU of the motor that makes the platter go round can make such an enormous difference ...

Thomas

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Paul Ranson
I recently found the Hifi Review (one of the last...) containing the Lingo review.

"The biggest upgrade you'll ever make"

"And so, having told you that upgrading a Lingo will be the biggest single qualitative improvement you will ever make to your system, how much will it cost you? £1000? 'No'. Well, then £2000? 'No'. Oh dear, could it be more? In fact the Lingo can be retrofitted to your existing LP12 for only £496, including VAT."

Bargain!

Interestingly in the history part of this article mention is made of the previous attempt at a better supply that famously was produced and then scrapped. They were going to call it 'Wakonda'. Never let a good name go to waste?

Paul

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by jpk73
Who did /the/ comparison? Armageddon-owners couldn't play 45 until now, so maybe the new Lingo is /the/ solution, if it sounds better than the Armageddon...?

Jun

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
Yep, I've got that review too. Interestingly it says that a better power supply yields more benefits than a better tonearm. Seems a very believable concept, particularly in judging the gap between the two PSUs.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Andrew Randle
Armageddon is a very good supply. Simple and ingenious. The thing is that it is very difficult to demo both at the same premises. I'm sure someone on the forum knows who can, but I haven't come across anyone that could.

The other issue is if the connectors are different (not sure on this one). This means the dealer has to have 2 LP12s set up for the purpose.

I'll be having an Ekos Vs. Aro demo soon. This will be done on a 'Geddoned deck.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"

Posted on: 11 February 2002 by Don Atkinson
I'll be having an Ekos Vs. Aro demo soon. This will be done on a 'Geddoned deck.

Chances are the Aro will sound better.

If the comparison was done on a Lingo deck, chances are the Ekos will sound better.

If the comparison is done Ekos & Lingo v Aro & 'Geddon, chances are you would be in a position to make a wise choice.

Cheers

Don