Upgrade or secondhand LP12

To my mind, it depends on your plans. Leaving a 52 with a 200 seems unbalanced to me. I have a 52 & love it - no upgradeitis to a 552 for me (well not yet !) So if you intend to go for new power amp too, then maybe.

If no, then get the LP12 - I own one too (since 1993), it's a bit like Triggers Broom though, but mostly all Linn bits still. How many LPs have you? I ask to get a sense of persective about expense vs use.

May I suggest considering  a third way - a streamer. NDX for example. Would fit into your system nicely.  What speakers have you btw?

If you wish to play your records then get a TT but there are better alternatives to a Linn 2nd hand or otherwise. Budget?

Regards,

Lindsay

Problem is that there is no such thing as an "LP12". It is a recipe book, that extends from simple, often old, systems, all the way up to utter monsters.

For example, mine has 

Harben plinth

Keel for ARO

Aro

XV1S

Linn PSU and preamp

I dread to think what that would cost to replicate today. 

To be honest, the 220 quid basic Rega is a cracking good deal, and if you need a phono preamp their 70 quid thing (with A-D convertors and USB out too!) is stunning value for money.

I wouldnt go down the Linn route today unless I was totally sure that an entry level Rega was absolutely definitely not good enough. 

Oh, and if you get the Rega, spend the next few hundred on a decent record cleaner machine. This will help hugely especially with your existing older records.

If you do get a TT, I'd second buying a record cleaning machine. I'd previously posted best £ for £ upgrade I've bought

jon honeyball posted:

Problem is that there is no such thing as an "LP12". It is a recipe book, that extends from simple, often old, systems, all the way up to utter monsters.

For example, mine has 

Harben plinth

Keel for ARO

Aro

XV1S

Linn PSU and preamp

I dread to think what that would cost to replicate today. 

 

Jon - I know I'm not an advocate of the Scottish TT but that is one highly spec'd beast

Best regards,

Lindsay

jon honeyball posted:

Problem is that there is no such thing as an "LP12". It is a recipe book, that extends from simple, often old, systems, all the way up to utter monsters.

For example, mine has 

Harben plinth

Keel for ARO

Aro

XV1S

Linn PSU and preamp

I dread to think what that would cost to replicate today. 

To be honest, the 220 quid basic Rega is a cracking good deal, and if you need a phono preamp their 70 quid thing (with A-D convertors and USB out too!) is stunning value for money.

I wouldnt go down the Linn route today unless I was totally sure that an entry level Rega was absolutely definitely not good enough. 

Oh, and if you get the Rega, spend the next few hundred on a decent record cleaner machine. This will help hugely especially with your existing older records.

Ageed,

As for 'utter monsters' - Just the thought of a Tangerine Black Stilletto makes my modest LP12 seem inexpensive.

As the OP is on a budget, your Rega route provides a good solution without breaking the bank.

Shaun McCullagh posted:

.....yesterday I spotted a recently serviced 52 with SC with a really low price.

Are you able to home dem it with your source, your NAP and your speakers?

If so and you like it, then whichever Rega is your flava will get you going on your records until such time as you might want to splash on an LP12 or similar.

If you've avoided upgraditis for years and believe you'll be able to continue to do so, then buy an entry level LP12 and be done with it - it will extract lots of enjoyable music from the grooves in your record collection. But the trouble with the LP12 is that every time you lift the stylus out of the runout groove at the end of the record it has this weird ability to put a question in your mind, which starts "What if...?" Then you're done for! There are many options and routes to upgrade an LP12.

The advice about buying a RCM is very sound indeed. 

Many thanks to everyone for their ideas... I should have mentioned I'm using Focus Diablo Utopia III's.

I planned to acquire a pair of 135's later, if I decide on the 52. I cannot dem it at home but it's such a good price I can always sell it later.

The Rega sounds very interesting and I will definitely get a record cleaner the question is which one?

Thanks again

Shaun

I've got a Oki Noki - noisy but does the job really well.  

On Rega an RP8 is a superb turntable. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Shaun McCullagh posted:

 I will definitely get a record cleaner the question is which one?

Shaun it depends on the size of your collection and how much vinyl you buy. I have an Audiodesk Systeme ultrasonic cleaner - very expensive (£2,100) but I then have about 5,000 LPs and I buy mostly secondhand these days, so fo me it is worth it. The machine makes a huge difference to SQ on both new and used vinyl and is 100% automatic so is very convenient - more so than a Monks and works as well as that even more expensive machine. An RCM is the best investment I made in record replay after my LP12.

Hi Shaun,

A serviced 52/supercap/135 amp combination is a lovely thing.  I'm completely unbiased of course, other than for the fact that this is the very amp that I enjoy 

Given your speakers, this should be your minimum calibre of amp to do them justice.

The Rega RP1 is a great entry level deck, but not really up to the rest of your system.  I'd look out for one of the ex-dem Rega RP6 turntables.  It's a far better deck with much more insight and considerably better pitch stability.  They are being discounted because the new Rega Planar 6 has just been launched.

Best regards, FT

Shaun McCullagh posted:

The Rega sounds very interesting and I will definitely get a record cleaner the question is which one?

For my money, RP6.

Shaun McCullagh posted:

I've avoided upgradeitis for several years now being quite content with my Mac mini/nDAC/XPS/202/Hi-Cap/200

But yesterday I spotted a recently serviced 52 with SC with a really low price.

However I'm not quite as flush as I once was so I'm wondering as I still have my LPs, would it not be better to save up and by a secondhand LP12 instead?

Really have to stop these impulse buys LOL

TIA for your opinions....

S

 

 

if you don't want to be tempted by no ending upgrades, go to a used rega p9 or new p8. lovely decks,  no suspension to tweak or change arm, add lingo, keel....

Plus 1 for the Audiodesk. New or used it makes a difference. In BIG print on the leaflet when I bought my new phono cartridge - It is essential that a wet record cleaner is used for optimum life of the stylus?

The Audio desk looks great (I am quite envious), but you don't need to spend a fortune to get a good record cleaning machine.  I was recently impressed enough by the Pro-Ject VC-S cleaning machine to buy one for myself.  My Nitty Gritty was getting on a bit and the Pro-Ject definitely has the edge.  It's a good design, solidly built and Pro-Ject have worked hard to overcome the few teething problems they had with the first batch. The alcohol free cleaning fluid is excellent too. My only gripes are the size - it's a large balck box - and that the stick on labels don't stay stuck - they are curling at the edges and need better adhesive.  Also, the vacuum arm and clamp required for 7" singles is an extra £120.  However, the VC-S is a comparative bargain at around £320.

Mac mini/ndac? mmm you have yet to really enjoy your system. Get a cd5XS or better cdx2 or a streamer.

Shaun McCullagh posted:

The Rega sounds very interesting and I will definitely get a record cleaner the question is which one?

Thanks again

Shaun

 

 

I've been an avid user of Clearaudio Smart Matrix Professional - does the job very well. It's more noisy than my vaccum cleaner, so it must be good 

On the REGA front - RP6 with Apheta II is fantastic and RP10 with Aphelion is sublime. Rega ARIA does the job for both of those decks very well.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Shaun McCullagh posted:

The Rega sounds very interesting and I will definitely get a record cleaner the question is which one?

Thanks again

Shaun

 

 

I've been an avid user of Clearaudio Smart Matrix Professional - does the job very well. It's more noisy than my vaccum cleaner, so it must be good 

On the REGA front - RP6 with Apheta II is fantastic and RP10 with Aphelion is sublime. Rega ARIA does the job for both of those decks very well.

Dear Adam!

When I grow up, I want a Sound System like yours!

Two out of three, ain't Bad!

LP 12 & NDS

Who needs and Cdx2/Ndac, and put that

555 PS on your NDS! LOL......

But serious, have you considered upgrading your Speakers!

I love spending your money!

Allante93!

PS. Did I miss your thread on your NDS?

Allante93 posted:

Dear Adam!

 

But serious, have you considered upgrading your Speakers!

I love spending your money!

Allante93!

PS. Did I miss your thread on your NDS?

Hello Basil,

Which ones? Ovators S400 in my music room or Monitor Audio GX300 in the living room? 

I've just added NAP300DR to the music room system and by God, those Ovators sing now. I'm just returning (currently somewhere over the Atlantic) home from a long trip so curious how the system will sound.

Cheers,

Adam

Allante93 posted:

PS. Did I miss your thread on your NDS?

Did I have a thread on the NDS?

Adam Zielinski posted:

Allante93 posted:

PS. Did I miss your thread on your NDS?

Did I have a thread on the NDS?

Don't tell me, you were in the States, and didn't ring me up!

But when you get settled, Please let us know, how feel about your new NDS!

As far as your music rooms, I can't keep up!

Enjoy your Music, Living Room & Music Room!

Will do

I have resisted the urge to upgrade my RCM from a 20 year old VPI 17.  I use a Disc Doctor product to clean the records and use the VPI RCM for vacuum only.  I flirted with the Audio Desk but the money, at $4k US,  is ridiculous and my paid-for VPI does a great job in less time per record.    We have to be selective about our luxuries, especially in analog, and the Audio Desk has not made the cut at my house.  

I agree on the Rega.  I love Linn but it is fiddly without a dealer nearby , vs the Rega which is plug and play.  

Thanks again all.

I use an Audiophilleo 1 + Pro Power to connect my Mac to my nNac with Audirvana and am quite pleased with the results even though the Mac has a switch mode PSU...