Technics SL-1200mk2 vs Linn LP12

[struth]

I had a play with the ABX thing first, and got these results

foo_abx 1.3.4 report
foobar2000 v1.3.3
2014/10/05 19:30:27

File A: C:\Users\Chris W7\Downloads\Chant of the Soil - 1.wav
File B: C:\Users\Chris W7\Downloads\Chant of the Soil - 2.wav

19:30:27 : Test started.
19:33:03 : 01/01 50.0%
19:33:44 : 02/02 25.0%
19:34:24 : 03/03 12.5%
19:34:51 : 04/04 6.3%
19:35:25 : 05/05 3.1%
19:36:02 : 06/06 1.6%
19:36:38 : 07/07 0.8%
19:37:37 : 08/08 0.4%
19:37:57 : 09/09 0.2%
19:38:38 : 09/10 1.1%
19:38:50 : Test finished.

----------
Total: 9/10 (1.1%)

The test results prove that I can successfully track which file is which in a blind test, but little else other than that.
My failure on the 10th attempt could be put down to losing the will to live

So now I played the files right through, and on initial hearing I preferred file 1, as it had more air and space to the sound.
Subsequent listenings have me very definitely in the file 2 camp. The bass and piano have pitch stability that file 1 lacks. The drumming on track 2 has greater drive and direction, and the emphasis the drummer makes with pressed rolls comes to the fore.

Overall I'd say the Technics acquits itself very well, especially considering the fact that it's a stock deck, and the LP12 has had money thrown at it in upgrades.

That was my findings as well give or take...1st listen I was drawn to no1 but the more I did listen, I felt 2 was better for me anyways....Kinda thought 2 would be the lp 12

[Mr Kipling]

The other file set (Cat Stevens' Sad Lisa) hasn't been mentioned. The differences this time are less obvious. This time I preferred the Linn file because it had the greater clarity.

Someone has mentioned that the two cartridges don't have the same absolute phase.

[Gordon Steadman]

I prefer the second one. The piano sound is close but the bass is far more stable and clean. I found there was a plummy coloration on the LP12 that I couldn't live with. It is surprising how well some basic decks perform.

I have just played both tracks on iTunes (Apple lossless) and find both lack the air around them that I am used to. However the basic sound is so similar that I wonder why we spend all this dosh on front ends. It confirms my view that the speakers are the most important but thats another 'discussion' we have had before.

[YNWaN]

I had forgotten about this - will have an experiment tonight (perhaps Wednesday) .

[Marco]

Try the comparison again, this time with a Rega Planar 2: http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/thread...-drops.385558/

This one’s a bit closer, and so harder to judge, however, I’d say that File 3 was the Techy, and the other, the Rega.

Marco.

[Gordon Steadman]

Even Stevens until the piano came in and then I preferred No 4. On the Mac system with the Diamonds I really couldn't hear any difference. Even on the phones it was close.

[Mr Kipling]

I'd say 3 was the Rega as the other sounds more coloured. 3 sounds cleaner and clearer like the previous Linn files. The drums especially sound a whole lot sharper and attacking with 3.

Glad I don't have a 1210!

[Marco]

You mean a stock 1210?

A lightly tweaked (let alone a fully modified one, like others or mine) simply doesn’t have those limitations…

Marco.

[Stratmangler]

3 is the Technics.
4 is the Planar2, and not only is it running a touch slow, it's incapable of maintaining proper pitch. It's shite, and that's being nice about it

Whoever said the recordings sound a lot closer and more difficult to distinguish should stop listening to the speakers on their flash new MacBook whatever it is - it might be nicer to use than your last laptop, but the speakers are still rubbish.
These 2 recordings are chalk and cheese

[Gromit]

I'm of course open to being proved wrong, but I'd be surprised if 3 is the Technics, for the simple reason that its pitch is so far off - then again, John may have tweaked the pitch control to throw folk off the scent.

Regas are notorious for running slightly fast (my dad's Planar 3 which is at my place definitely is) hence why I thought that 4 is the Tecchy because it's a lot nearer to British Standard Pitch (A440). Saying that, even 4 is still slightly sharp though, but of course the master could've been running fast too - not unheard of.