Expert Stylus. Linto.

quote:

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I'm in the "hardly played a CD since" camp too....

...since my Troika was rebuilt by Expert and I completed Andy's Lingo tweak!

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You have no idea how good that makes me feel

Andy.

What I had was a Linn rebuilt Klyde rebuilt by Expert Stylus after two years of use. I was very happy with both. I was very content with the idea of getting another Klyde that I could rotate as the worn Klyde was getting rebuilt. [ES turnaround is about six weeks...too long for me to be w/o tunes hence the desire for a second cartridge].

A Troika became available to me for very cheap so I took the plunge but wanted it rebuilt by Linn as they do complete rebuild. I later found out ES could have done the same work for less.

When I got the Troika back from Linn and popped it on my wife and I thought the Klyde was better.
I really can't be bothered to sort out which is better but when the Troika gets close to a couple years old I will have the Klyde rebuilt by ES and rotate it back in. At that point I may have a better idea whether the ES Klyde is really better than Linn rebuilt Troika.

The true test will come when the time comes to have the Troika rebuilt by ES. Probably five years from now.

If it was me I would have ES rebuild your Klyde...or pick up a rebuilt Troika from them and use the Klyde for a backup. To me they're all good Sorry I couldn't be of more use. All I can say is that I'm set for life with phono cartridges. Bring on some more music/LP's... that's what I'm always on the hunt for.

Happy Listening,
John

[This message was edited by John Gilleran on TUESDAY 18 September 2001 at 04:08.]

My view is that the Klyde is a replacement for the Troika. I went from a Ittok/Troika to a Ittok/Klyde and never thought is was a downgrade.
I later went to a Ekos/Linn rebuilt Klyde which made more sense for the money. Never considered going with an Arkiv. Too rich for my blood. To me it made more sense to sort out supports.

I don't think ES rate the Arkiv very highly.

ES can also do an 'upgraded' Troika rebuild using a boron cantiliver and other bits and bobs. Anyone know what they sound like?

Alex

A few things I like about a Linn cartridges.

They were used during the development of the Ittok, Ekos.

The bodies are very robust and Linn supply the proper cartridge bolts for getting them mounted very tight to the arm.

They are very easy to mount geometry wise on Linn arms.

The cartridge tags are already directionalized. In the case of the Troika they are flying leads that plug directly to the arm, eliminating an extra mechanical connection.

I've gone through about 8 of them and have never bent a cantilever or have problems with them falling off! Hand cueing them and for the first 6 using the sandpaper regularly. I now use a compound used for cleaning diamonds with v.g. results.

Linn can rebuild them, replacing all moving parts that wear for about $780 for a Troika. ES can retip one in good shape for $288.

The one time I checked out a highly praised competitor I was highly disappointed, but I won't go there.

About 6 months ago I was demming an ARO v Ekos and had the offer of a Linn rebuilt Troika from my dealer for £500. I used this for home dems on both arms and thought that it was excellent in all respects except one - it didn't rock/boogie in the way that I wanted. My ever helpful dealer substituted a DV17D2 which absolutely does rock and this is what I bought.

Perversely, I actually think the Troika is a 'better' cartridge in most things that you would judge it on. The choice was really driven by my musical tastes - the Troika was clearly better for 20% of my listening (melodic acoustic gentle stuff) but the 17D2 was better at inducing foot tapping, leaping around the room and chewing telephone directories for rhythm dependant, funky or thrashy material.

As always, your choice will depend on your musical tastes and listening priorities. I would love to be able to swap between each cartridge at will.

Regards
Steve

I just rang ES and asked if they had any Troikas. A week later I had one, fully rebuilt and retipped for £380. A new Troika cost me £546 in '87 so I think its excellent value. I cannot say whether this one is as good as a new original but I can say I am very happy with it.

Alex