Lp12, omg how did I get here

Whilst I use an RCM, there is still some occasional dust (living in a location bounded by a quarry, motorway and railway sees constant deposits) I find that using an original Decca record brush quickly induces a sticky felt mat! 

Richard Dane posted:

Sam, I think it eventually dissipates naturally, particularly with play, however, when new it has pretty much always been there in my experience.

Same for me but I think it's got worse recently (or I have less patience!).  The cloth I use is an Ilford film one - if it's gentle enough for film emulsion then LPs should be fine.

Mr Frog,

I also used to live in NZ ,I listened to many Turntables Rega ,Linn ,Xerxes Roksan, sota, well tempered, Michell,mapenoll,Forsell,ORACLE, and I owned at the time a top of the tree LP12 Aro ,Troika etc nearly 30 years ago was this setup after I was burgled I moved to a little known TT called the Lumley Stratosphere ,Graham arm another unipivot,and Transfiguration Temper MC cart that stop in 1995 was a revelation in comparison to all those other decks except the Forsell which I liked but was very expensive.I have wanted to like Rega decks but they just are not to my liking I can't get that relaxing feeling with ALL of the rega's I have listened to including the RP9 ,the Xerxes was the same like a kid on speed ,Some may like that but not I .The Linn dealer you have just spoke so lowly of has been setting up and selling LP12's since the 1980's and used to be prior to Chris Murphy (currant Naim NZ Dist) the naim distributor ,I'm sure either John or Dean know how to set up an LP12 as it has evolved over many years ,there are also many LP12 guys in NZ with their own jigs etc who used to be dealers who can and will set up an LP12 for you if you are wanting that service .I get that you don't like the Linn that is fine ,I don't like transformers humming along  either but NZ is a small market and your comments sound like sour grapes to me to the point of trolling.

Russ - I’m afraid I don’t really understand where you are coming from.

The point I was making, was that the LP12 needs a certain extra piece of magic in order to sound at its best ... and also has several shortcomings, which other decks do not.

I previously owned an LP12 but there are now better alternatives at respective price points.

No doubt you may have had a great experience with the aforementioned individuals, but this is not really relevant.

Having previously owned a full Linn Akiv Keltik system, I was caught in the continual Linn upgrade cycle .... despite the upgrades often making little or no audible improvements.

It became a little like the “Emperors Clothes” 

Being open to offerings from other manufacturers, resulted in a superior sound for considerablely less expense. For example, the ATC SCM 50A , were superior to using 4x Klouts on Keltiks .... by a considerable margin and at half the cost.

Linn is good, but very expensive for what it delivers ........ which is exactly the point I was making in respect of th LP12.

Naim streamers also deliver better sound at their respective price point, compared to the offerings from Linn.

If money is no object, then I guess  you don’t need to worry about whether better or equivalent sound quality is available for less cost.

Hope that clarifies ????

Mr Frog,

I can see where you are now coming from, You were not happy with your old complete Linn system and felt the upgrades were of low value ,this is in a system from what 20 years almost ago? Now you say Naim streamers sound better to you than comparable Linn products that is your opinion, just as mine is that the KDS Klimax Katalyst for me has been my preference over NDS with 1 or 2 X555 PS . Enjoy your music and perhaps lighten up a little you seem to have a beef with Linn perhaps a green tea might help (one with a Naim logo on it)?