Help with LP12 upgrade

[Junglefire]

I would like to buy a new arm and cartridge for my (Valhalla) LP12. Currently I have an old sansui arm with a cheap ortofon cartridge. I was thinking about getting the Jelco SA-750D (plus oyaide headshell) with an AT 150 MLX MM cartridge. I have heard good things about both these products, sadly I cannot test these two items beforehand. Can anyone give me some advice regarding the upgrade? I have found that people tend to not use the standard Jelco tonearm cable, but I have no clue what cable I should go for instead...

[worrasf]

Well I have a Jelco 750D on my Technics and its terrific but FWIW in days of yore when I too had a Valhalla'd LP12 the Ittok was a great match with either a Troka or Asak or Klyde. That's what I'd get again if I had what you do but others may disagree
Steve

[chris@panteg]

No reason why a Jello shouldn't work, but also consider the Roksan Nima, it's a unipivot so quite fiddly to use but I've heard it works well on the LP12.

[Junglefire]

Yes, the nima looks interesting, thanks! Has anyone tried the Nima and Jelco on an LP12?

[chris@panteg]

I'm sure a few guys over on Pfm and the wam have, with good results too.

[Junglefire]

Does anyone have any experience with the AT 150 MLX?

[Clive]

Does anyone have any experience with the AT 150 MLX?
I have one, it's either vastly under rated or unfairly ignored.

[Junglefire]

Thanks for the reply :)

[Clive]

Now that I'm on my computer rather than my phone I can say a little more about the AT150 MLX. It's a superb performer that has an MC-like top end with MM bass and a transparent mid range. If there's a downside it's that the setup has to be close to spot on if it's not to sound a little flat. VTF around 1.6g I find works well, raise it to 1.7g and the life ebbs away from the music. Given the line contact stylus profile alignment needs to be good.

The 150 should be given equal billing to the Ortofon 2M Black, I really don't get why it's ignored.

[Junglefire]

Thanks so much for the information :) The AT is also a lot cheaper than the 2m black.

[Junglefire]

Would it be wise to change the Jelco cable for something like one of Yannis' cables and change the headshell to the Oyaide?

[worrasf]

Would it be wise to change the Jelco cable for something like one of Yannis' cables and change the headshell to the Oyaide?

I have done both and the answer is a definite yes for the Yannis cable. I think the headshell depends on what cartridge you will be using. I am using it with my Decca Blue/Deccapod and it performs very well in comparison to the Sumiko I was using before but that was also sans Deccapod so A/B comparison is difficult.

[worrasf]

The 150 should be given equal billing to the Ortofon 2M Black, I really don't get why it's ignored.

+1
I had one and thought it brilliant for all the strengths you mention then I FUBARD the cantilever and was heart broken. From what I remember they were only available from Japan ( I bought mine from there anyway) - perhaps the "have to return to Japan warranty" puts folk off recommending it?

[Audioman]

+1
I had one and thought it brilliant for all the strengths you mention then I FUBARD the cantilever and was heart broken. From what I remember they were only available from Japan ( I bought mine from there anyway) - perhaps the "have to return to Japan warranty" puts folk off recommending it?

http://www.audiotechnicashop.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=93_49&product_id=485


BTW don't buy AT from Henley Designs or any UK retailer as they sell way above the official EU price.

[worrasf]

http://www.audiotechnicashop.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=93_49&product_id=485


BTW don't buy AT from Henley Designs or any UK retailer as they sell way above the official EU price.

£276.85 - absolute bargain!

[Clive]

I got mine from: http://www.lpgear.com/product/ATC0150MLX.html

About £200 but you might be unlucky and have to pay tax on it.

[DSJR]

Does the LP12 have a glued sub chassis and laminated mdf armboard? If so, I'd go for a Nima as it should minimise the bass BOING that the fruitbox will almost certainly exhibit with a Jelco 750 as it did with other massy tonearms IME.

Having said the above, the straight lower mass Jelco should work just fine and be better than a suspect Basik/Akito of any age. Rest assured that no two LP12's pre early 90's were ever the same, so I expect you to have loads of fun trying to get a decent sound out of it, not because you may or may not be able to set the bloody things up, but because Linn just didn't always specify decent plinth parts until later samples.

[Junglefire]

Yes, the Nima looks interesting. Audio affair is selling one for 499 pounds. I am not sure if the LP12 has a glued subchassis. It does have a laminated mdf armboard. I would need a new armboard that would be compatible with the nima, right? A rega board? Are there any changes that I should make to nima arm such as an other tonearm cable or headshell?

[Junglefire]

Would it be okay to pair the nima with a AT 150MLX, or should try something else?

[DSJR]

If you have the laminated armboard, then you should have the glued sub-chassis too, easily seen from underneath as the original and far more resonant sub chassis was spot welded.

If you haven't already, Google the setup manual and study it thoroughly :)

[chris@panteg]

Yes, the Nima looks interesting. Audio affair is selling one for 499 pounds. I am not sure if the LP12 has a glued subchassis. It does have a laminated mdf armboard. I would need a new armboard that would be compatible with the nima, right? A rega board? Are there any changes that I should make to nima arm such as an other tonearm cable or headshell?

It should be fine as it is, I had one once on the Radius, it's very good and I think an excellent match for the Linn, a poor man's Naim Aro you might say?