LP12/Akito/Lingo vs Rega P9

Posted by: John on 09 July 2001

Has anyone done a comparison between these two TTs:
1. LP12/Akito/Lingo

2. Rega Planar 9

They seem to retail for about the same price. There seems to be more LP12s available second hand so I could probably pick up the LP12 a better second hand value but how do they sonically campare? Are there huge differences between to the top of the line LP12, middle and basic versions?

How old of a LP12 should I consider before I should consider the servicing costs?

Thanks
John

Posted on: 10 July 2001 by Rockingdoc
"how old an LP12 before servicing?"
About five minutes.
Unless you plan to continue to use it in the vendor's home. wink
Posted on: 10 July 2001 by Tony L
quote:
Has anyone done a comparison between these two TTs:

1. LP12/Akito/Lingo

2. Rega Planar 9

I changed from a 1988 spec LP12 / Ittok / Valhalla to a P9, and have heard countless LP12s. They are massively different, and it is unfortunately the sort of difference that you really need to hear for yourself.

My feelings are the P9 is massively more acurate, it is tighter, punchier, lets oodles more detail through, and times in a way that even the best LP12s can not dream of. The P9 is one of a very few real bargains in the world of hi-fi.

The LP12 does however have a great sound, and lets make no mistake, it is a sound. The LP12 is warm, big and friendly, imposes a little of its own groove on the music that can actually work fantastically well. LP12s are weird in that they are obviously "wrong" to my ears, but I still love them! The LP12 is a stunning second hand buy.

To be honest I don't think you could make a mistake in choosing either deck, they both have something very special indeed about the way they play music, and are amongst the finest sources available at any price.

Tony.