More Turntable Adventures

SCompRacer

A fellow Polkie hooked me up with a primo used, one owner Linn LP12 with Ittock arm. Thank you very much Carl! The Linn has retired my old Rega Planar 2. This LP12 was built in early ’87 so it has many of the Linn upgrades. I have an excellent source with tubed power supply that is superb and very analogue with redbook playback, but do have some vinyl I like to spin now and then. The Linn should do a fine job once I get a better cartridge for it. A near new Grado Gold MM cartridge is installed for now. I have been researching the table and haven’t decided what future upgrades might be applied.

Carl and the previous owner had went out of their way to disclose any little mar on it, but I say it is in mighty fine shape for a 20 year old table. Many threads ago, Carl had mentioned the Linn with some other gear he would be selling for a friend. I quickly dibbed it, and prepared a music CD with background singers repeating hook scomp up with the linn. I played it when he visited last year, and it obviously worked.

Joe, I still have to adjust the suspension so the weight of your clamp doesn’t cause the platter to rub the table. Replacement springs are available if these are too weak. I did take a static pic of it with your clamp though.

Dennis Gardner

Suspended tables like the Linn don't handle heavy clamps too well, even with spring changes, just too much sprung weight to handle, I guess.

It looks like yours is in nice shape. Enjoy!!

schwarcw

Lookin' good Rich!!!

madmax

Very nice!
madmax

reeltrouble1

Lookin good, never owned one but heard lots of good things about Linn.

RT1

pblanc

Aye, thats a dandy, laddie.

BlueMDPicker

Just saw the thread--cool!

I need to get my build on with the Bottlehead so I can hear some vinyl on the downstairs (Isis) rig again.

Enjoy!

schwarcw

I'm hoping to hear that Linn on those Eros speakers in a few weeks. Those Innersounds are great!

I'm hoping to hear those Isis sometime this Spring!

SCompRacer

Thanks all!

schwarcw wrote:

I'm hoping to hear that Linn on those Eros speakers in a few weeks. Those Innersounds are great!

We are looking forward to your visit! I should have a better cartridge by then. I went with the one Mike is using, the Dynavector 20XH. Dan Wright had suggested that cartridge as well. My phono pre amp is on the bubble for gain with sub-mV MC cartridges using the unbalanced inputs/outputs, so I went with the high output. I got a local hookup with an Audiogon member who is willing to let me try a couple of different cartridges before committing to one.

If it still sounds too warm, maybe you can take the iPhono with you to Mike's place and see what happens with it there. I was concerned about the FET design with all tubes being too warm. The ModWright pre is not as warm as some tube pre amps so I hope the combo will work.

hearingimpared

Wow I just saw this thread. . .Nice, big Rich. They are sweet.

Stereophile January 2007, Vol 30 No.1 page 49. . .Doin' the Funky Lindy. Pretty cool upgrade for the LP 12.

That clamp really isn't that heavy. Is it having an adverse affect on your new table??? Causing the platter to touch the deck is not a good thing.

hearingimpared

SCompRacer wrote:

Thanks all!




We are looking forward to your visit! I should have a better cartridge by then. I went with the one Mike is using, the Dynavector 20XH. Dan Wright had suggested that cartridge as well. My phono pre amp is on the bubble for gain with sub-mV MC cartridges using the unbalanced inputs/outputs, so I went with the high output. I got a local hookup with an Audiogon member who is willing to let me try a couple of different cartridges before committing to one.

If it still sounds too warm, maybe you can take the iPhono with you to Mike's place and see what happens with it there. I was concerned about the FET design with all tubes being too warm. The ModWright pre is not as warm as some tube pre amps so I hope the combo will work.

What's wrong with warm? Unless it downright cuts the peaks like clipping.

SCompRacer

hearingimpared wrote:

What's wrong with warm? Unless it downright cuts the peaks like clipping.

Warm is fine but this is WAY too warm.

SCompRacer

hearingimpared wrote:

That clamp really isn't that heavy. Is it having an adverse affect on your new table??? Causing the platter to touch the deck is not a good thing.

Thanks Joe! The suspension is sagged slightly even without a clamp and needs some adjustment. I can tell by the armboard position and how close the platter is to the top plate. It is on my to-do list, which is under the honey-dew list. After adjustment, I'll check and see how much the springs deflect. If they lack tension and are close to coil bind at proper unloaded ride height, I'll replace them. Then I'll check corner weights and...hey, this aint a car.:p

hearingimpared

SCompRacer wrote:

Thanks Joe! The suspension is sagged slightly even without a clamp and needs some adjustment. I can tell by the armboard position and how close the platter is to the top plate. It is on my to-do list, which is under the honey-dew list. After adjustment, I'll check and see how much the springs deflect. If they lack tension and are close to coil bind at proper unloaded ride height, I'll replace them. Then I'll check corner weights and...hey, this aint a car.:p

Did you get my second PM???

SCompRacer

hearingimpared wrote:

That clamp really isn't that heavy.

I haven't weighed it, but no, it really isn't that heavy.

Is it having an adverse affect on your new table??? Causing the platter to touch the deck is not a good thing.

2 - 2.5 turns on each adjuster and the proper armboard/platter ride height is restored with "The Clamp" on. The springs are not coil bound but the suspension is a bit stiffer. Could be after 20 years the springs should be replaced anyway. I've seen the kits sell for ~$40.

No worries bud. Life is gooder. Thanks for the satisfaction guaranteed return option, but they will have to pry this clamp out of my cold, dead hands.

hearingimpared

SCompRacer wrote:

No worries bud. Life is gooder. Thanks for the satisfaction guaranteed return option, but they will have to pry this clamp out of my cold, dead hands.

There are only 4 left you better hold on even after that!!!! LOL:D

SCompRacer

I got a great deal on a Dynavector 20X high output locally through an Audiogon member. I am leary of used low hour cartridges, but I was able to look at this one under a 20X magnifier before accepting delivery and it is in fine condition. Now this is more like it sonically. No longer too warm, with better dynamics. After a couple of quick tracks, it sounds like the FET phono pre amp will be OK. I no longer have to switch to UL mode on the ESL's panel amp with vinyl and just leave it in Triode mode.

SCompRacer

hearingimpared wrote:

There are only 4 left you better hold on even after that!!!! LOL:D

I used a Michell clamp for the longest time and while it was a decent design, it had this small knob that was difficult to tighten. I don't have that problem with your clamp.

hearingimpared

SCompRacer wrote:

I used a Michell clamp for the longest time and while it was a decent design, it had this small knob that was difficult to tighten. I don't have that problem with your clamp.

That's such a nice looking table.

hearingimpared

SCompRacer wrote:

I got a great deal on a Dynavector 20X high output locally through an Audiogon member. I am leary of used low hour cartridges, but I was able to look at this one under a 20X magnifier before accepting delivery and it is in fine condition. Now this is more like it sonically. No longer too warm, with better dynamics. After a couple of quick tracks, it sounds like the FET phono pre amp will be OK. I no longer have to switch to UL mode on the ESL's panel amp with vinyl and just leave it in Triode mode.

That is definetely a good deal. . .10 X 5s are $380.

madmax

SCompRacer wrote:

I was concerned about the FET design with all tubes being too warm.

I didn't understand this statement. Does it have a fet in line with tubes or what? Just wondering what you meant.
madmax

schwarcw

SCompRacer wrote:

I got a great deal on a Dynavector 20X high output locally through an Audiogon member. I am leary of used low hour cartridges, but I was able to look at this one under a 20X magnifier before accepting delivery and it is in fine condition. Now this is more like it sonically. No longer too warm, with better dynamics. After a couple of quick tracks, it sounds like the FET phono pre amp will be OK. I no longer have to switch to UL mode on the ESL's panel amp with vinyl and just leave it in Triode mode.

This is great news Rich! That table looks good! LOL!

SCompRacer

madmax wrote:

Just wondering what you meant.
madmax

The Innersound iPhono pre amp (a rebadged Coda 03p) I am using is a FET design and I was concerned about it sounding too warm in an all tube system. Pics here in the show me your arse thread.

SCompRacer

schwarcw wrote:

This is great news Rich! That table looks good! LOL!

It is starting to sound pretty good. Think Dan might want it back? :eek: I asked Norm to pop over this weekend to help me tweak it. By the time you get here, it will either sound better or be hidden from view.

hearingimpared

SCompRacer wrote:

The Innersound iPhono pre amp (a rebadged Coda 03p) I am using is a FET design and I was concerned about it sounding too warm in an all tube system. Pics here in the show me your arse thread.

Rich the insides look as solid as my Spectral DMC 10.

SCompRacer

hearingimpared wrote:

Rich the insides look as solid as my Spectral DMC 10.

I remember you posting pics of your amps, but not of the pre. I think that we need to see the innards!;)

hearingimpared

Check this link for the Adcoms.

Click this link for the Spectral.

SCompRacer

hearingimpared wrote:

Click this link for the Spectral.

DUH. Brain fade...I stand corrected. I like it.