Hello

[Colin151]

Hi my name's Colin. I'm 38 and live in Central London. I've been into hifi since I was 6 year olds. I went through a long period of LP12 ownership (had 4 different ones over the years) but sold my last one a year or two ago in the pursuit of better dynamics and a more neutral sound. I currently own a Technics SL1700MK2 (a bit like a 1200 MK2 with suspension), which i use with a retipped Linn Troika MC cartridge. Stepup is "the HEAD" TX4 by Tim de Paravicini, Phono stage Yaqin MS12B. I have lots of different amps. For speakers, I have a pair of Proac Response 3.5s, and four different pairs of large Magnepan speakers, including the Tympani IVa (which I am currently restoring), - one of the best speakers they made.

I got more into digital (for the convenience) in the past year or too. Currently have a Rega Apollo CDP and a Beresford Caiman DAC (stunning DAC with a very good class A headphone amp built in)

[MartinT]

Hello Colin and welcome to AoS. Could you please put your location info in your profile so that all can see? A move from an LP12 to an SL1700 is quite a journey - do tell us more!

[jostber]

Welcome to here! How is that SL1700 sounding?

[Colin151]

Hello Colin and welcome to AoS. Could you please put your location info in your profile so that all can see? A move from an LP12 to an SL1700 is quite a journey - do tell us more!

Cheers, just filled in some more info on my profile.

My favourite LP12 was the Valhalla/non Cirkus version with Ittok Arm. It was the most musical in my opinion and most euphonic sounding, but in the end I found it a bit too coloured and too cuddly. The Technics is much more neutral, more solid bass, and the dynamics are better than the LP12 in my opinion. Belt drive decks can tend to highlight detail and rob the music of dynamics.

I tried the Cirkus subchassis with one LP12 and personally didn't like the result. Thought some areas like dynamics and ultimate detail were improved I found some of that charming character of the LP12 sound I loved were lost. Ditto for the Lingo PSU (I only tried the MK1) and the Ekos arm.

I had a Naim Aro arm for a while on a Valhalla/pre cirkus LP12. It had some limitations (frequency extremes), but it did have some amazing qualities in terms of transparency and cleanness to the sound, and great PRAT of course (as you would expect in a Naim product). Kind of regret selling the LP12 that had the Aro installed.

So back to the SL1700MK2, - great deck with a great sound IMO. I do want to rewire the stock arm soon so will be looking at that next. I love the VTA on the fly, - it's such a great feature. I feel the Yaqin MS12B phono stage I use adds enough euphonics/cuddly character for my liking with this deck.

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Colin.

We have a few Linn LP12 owners here. I'm sure they will find your comments interesting, as too your findings with the Ekos arm.

Your transfer of alligence to Technics direct drive will, no doubt, be "music to the ears" of our 1210 enthusiasts!

What sort of music do you like to pay on your system?

Welcome again

Regards

[Colin151]

Cheers Barry,
Just caught your message before doing to bed. I play all sort of music, classical, Jazz, pop/rock etc. More modern stuff too.
I didn't like the Ekos arm I had. Its was admittedly a MK1 though. I found it overemphased some dynamic aspects of the sound (but didn't do dynamics well with the LP12 as a whole like the Technics does). I found it also lost the subtly and charm the Ittok had (I've had several Ittoks are really liked them all.) The Ittok is not as dynamic but have great character and sound more refined than the Ekos in my opnion. So yeah, I prefer the Ittok from the Ekos (at least the MK1 Ekos). I am not alone, others have thought this too and written the same thing on forums.

I got interested in the Technics because of a Hi-fi friends influence. His philosophy is that its best to use the most neutral and dynamic source you can find, then add euphoric/warmth etc with tube preamps or tube buffers if you so desire. Works very well for me.


Welcome to AoS Colin.

We have a few Linn LP12 owners here. I'm sure they will find your comments interesting, as too your findings with the Ekos arm.

Your transfer of alligence to Technics direct drive will, no doubt, be "music to the ears" of our 1210 enthusiasts!

What sort of music do you like to pay on your system?

Welcome again

Regards

[MartinT]

use the most neutral and dynamic source you can find, then add euphoric/warmth etc with tube preamps or tube buffers if you so desire.

Oddly enough, source-first was a philosophy started by Linn. It still holds true today: GIGO.

[Spectral Morn]

Welcome to AOS Colin.


Regards D S D L

[jandl100]

Welcome Colin!

It sounds like you are having an interesting hifi journey.

It can be difficult for anyone to make a break with the past as you have done with the Linn LP12. Well done for thinking outside the box. We all live in them, it's just that too often we don't realise! :)


Oddly enough, source-first was a philosophy started by Linn. It still holds true today: GIGO.

Ah, but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. ;)
... did you see that recent video footage of the young lass bungee-jumping into an alligator-infested river? ... and the rope snapped! :eek:

[Alex_UK]

Ah, but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. ;)
... did you see that recent video footage of the young lass bungee-jumping into an alligator-infested river? ... and the rope snapped! :eek:

I hadn't - but agree - :eek:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16461278

[Colin151]

Thanks guys.

I'm not saying the LP12 doesn't have some magnificent characteristics, - namely the musicality, timing, and subtlety etc. The Technics might not do some things quite as well, but you really can't beat the solid bass and the dynamic ability of a good direct drive deck, - belt drive just can't quite do that quite in the same way (in my opinion). I do intend to upgrade my 1700mk2 to better spec to address some weaknesses, or perhaps upgrade to a real super DD deck like and Sp10 or some other hot Japanese Monster deck. Direct drive done well is very impressive.

In my opinion, with the older Pre cirkus LP12 (which was certainly lacking in dynamics and a bit soft/warm sounding) the Naim pre/power amps of the time (with built in phono card on the pre) did balance this character out quite well as Naim amps have such a pacey sound that overemphasise dynamics (by using bandwidth limitation, EQing, and from the configuration of the output transistors in the power amp). But then you might say it could have been better to start with a more dynamic, neutral source in the first place, and use a more neutral set of amps and phono stage. Different philosophies I guess. I admit I still enjoy my Dad's 80s LP12 Naim 32.5/Hicap/250 system.

[Marco]

Hi Colin,

Welcome to AoS! :)

You share some of the same experiences and opinions as I do about the LP12 and direct-drive T/Ts, in comparison. Enjoy the forum :cool:

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

How rude I was to post, but not say Welcome, Colin. Apologies, hope you enjoy the forum. :)

[Reid Malenfant]

Hi Colin, welcome to the forum from me as well :wave:

[Colin151]

Cheers Guys :cool:

[Colin151]

Glad to hear we have some of that in common Marco. I envy your equipment list BTW. You have so much good stuff!

Hi Colin,

Welcome to AoS! :)

You share some of the same experiences and opinions as I do about the LP12 and direct-drive T/Ts, in comparison. Enjoy the forum :cool:

Marco.