Any Hi -Fi enthusiasts on the ORG ?

Stewie,

There's a lot of BS around regarding the Linn LP12, both positive and negative. The Mrs has an LP12 that she bought second hand for about £500 years ago. We both love the sound it makes.

I have a Michell Orbe which cost considerably more than the LP12 and to be honest I wouldn't say it's any better - different but not better.

Rega turn out some excellent sounding turntables, especially for the money. Look out for the Planar 3 (or P3 as it is now known), a lot of turntable for the money.

For me there's still nothing that rivals vinyl played on a well set-up turntable through some half decent amplification and speakers (apart from a live concert of course). It blows CD and streamed audio into the weeds.

And yes, I am a sad hi-fi geek but only because I love music. For me hi-fi is a necessary evil.

You may hit lucky upon an LP12 - there are loads around so you may find a bargain. There's no black magic in setting one up - dealers still scare owners into handing over fist-fulls of dosh to have the turntable set-up when anyone that knows how to use a spanner can do it as long as they have patience.

Another cheap alternative to consider is Project.

I hope you find something,
John.

We have had a Rega Planar for 20 years, still going strong, and looks and sounds fabulous. I totally think you CAN tell the difference between hifis and separates, we got epos speakers recently and they are much better than the old ones we had.

Get one as simple and heavy as you can find for the money then fit a decent ortofon/sure stylus to it, thats the basic philosophy of buying turntables. I used to work as a hi fi specialist and have been a club DJ for over 10 years. Dont bother with Technics sl1210/sl1200 they are not good for sound quality, too complicated.

I second the SL1200/1210 as NOT being a good Turntable for home use .

[Juju]

I've got a Linn lp12, of fairly ancient spec. Bought it second hand with my student grant in 1991ish, had been specced up to new without the corner braced plinth seperating it from new ones. Came with an ittok II and a k9.

Still sounds great today, but it does need a service, a belt and a new stylus now. Significantly better than my arcam ampha 7se CD player.

No harm in trying for a cheap lp12 through ebay, I can't imagine a vintage one is going to be that pricy, and as long as the main bearing isn't shagged through being run without lack of oil, or a distorted armboard from someone tightening up the arm, or shagging the bearings in the arm, it is eminently "servicable".

Alternatively, try for an old Linn Axis. I had one of those before hand, and it was pretty good, and a mate had a Basik turntable that he liked, and I suspect it was a tiny bit better than the "revolver" I had at the time. Any of those will do you fine.

At the same time Ibought the lp12, I did auction a Pink Triange of some description, not the pt too, but I think it was called "the little pink thing", which was pretty good.

If you do get an LP12, remember they will outlast you in all probability, so worth a couple of hundred notes extra to find a good well loved one. Try a local Linn dealer, as they often will have p/ex lp12s from those trading up to a new one.

Rega Planar or P 2 or 3 are a good bet (the 3 is better than the 2 - has glass platter as opposed to a chipboard one on the 2... Not sure what they cost new now - used to be £198 and £298 exc. cartridge when I sold them a few years back.)
Should find good second hand ones for not alot of cash - not a huge amount to go wrong with them either. New Rega cartridges aren't immensely cheap (used to range from £50-500-odd) but they can (usually) have the styli replaced for a small (er!) charge.

The Pro-Ject Debut is a cheap as chips model and sounds (and looks) really good - even comed in a range of colours! Was sub-£200 with a cartridge.

The LP12 is a can of worms - although an awesome, fabulous thing to behold!
There are fewer LP12 dealers (and therefore service agents) around these days (I used to work for one and service them) and they really do need servicing (and using!) regularly to keep sounding their best.
Services include replacing/repairing any damage as well as replacing all the (there's loads of them, too!) springs, gromets, washers, screws, bolts, oil and cable clips. Everything is checked over with a fine toothcomb. I used to take an hour or two servicing one and I was fairly quick at it! There is a plethora of kit for them but less that is still current.
Really would advise having an expert look at one before you buy if you are seriously interested - could get VERY expensive otherwise.
The Basik power supplies are no longer manufactured and the Lingo (alternative - offboard - power supply) cost £800 when I last sold them!
There's a new, more expensive one out now too!
Replacement arms are gonna cost you similar (or bigger) hunks of cash, as they only sell the top two now as well!!

I remember putting together a new, relatively low spoec LP12 for a customer and it cost £5k.

Any way, I'm sure you get the picture!

With regards the cartridge/stylus - it differs what's best for each turntable so a question aimed at a decent hifi retailer is probably worthwhile!

Any way - good luck!!

[Juju]

Originally Posted by coombest

The LP12 is a can of worms - although an awesome, fabulous thing to behold!
There are fewer LP12 dealers (and therefore service agents) around these days (I used to work for one and service them) and they really do need servicing (and using!) regularly to keep sounding their best.
Services include replacing/repairing any damage as well as replacing all the (there's loads of them, too!) springs, gromets, washers, screws, bolts, oil and cable clips. Everything is checked over with a fine toothcomb. I used to take an hour or two servicing one and I was fairly quick at it! There is a plethora of kit for them but less that is still current.
Really would advise having an expert look at one before you buy if you are seriously interested - could get VERY expensive otherwise.
The Basik power supplies are no longer manufactured and the Lingo (alternative - offboard - power supply) cost £800 when I last sold them!
There's a new, more expensive one out now too!
Replacement arms are gonna cost you similar (or bigger) hunks of cash, as they only sell the top two now as well!!

I remember putting together a new, relatively low spoec LP12 for a customer and it cost £5k.

Any way, I'm sure you get the picture!

With regards the cartridge/stylus - it differs what's best for each turntable so a question aimed at a decent hifi retailer is probably worthwhile!

Any way - good luck!!

Blimey - when I got mine dealers had boxes of valhalla power supplies literally in boxes from all the early lingo adoptees.... I think at one point my local dealer was knocking them out s/h for £50 or less.

Originally Posted by Juju

Blimey - when I got mine dealers had boxes of valhalla power supplies literally in boxes from all the early lingo adoptees.... I think at one point my local dealer was knocking them out s/h for £50 or less.

Yup - and they would probably have all been snapped up years ago... And if they hadn't, they would probably be nackered by now!
The capacitors and other components had a habit of degrading rather badly... To the extent that there was a big warning a few years ago (although I can't remember which power supply it was on!) that if one was the affected power supply was found in a turntable at service, the serial number had to be checked and then depending on the outcome of the check, it be removed or the customer warned that it might catch fire!!!!!!!

Linn were pleasant enough to simply give a small discount off a Lingo (being the only replacement!). But only for a limited period!!

[TheRamJam]

I am not really a Hi-Fi enthusiasist but my unlce is realy into it. IMO a decent turntable and speakers would be better quality than CD. My uncle has a Baird system and some electrostatic speakers. He put a Del Amitri's Waking Hours LP on and I swear I thought I was at a concert.

Have a look in what Hi-Fi for stuff. Heres a linky http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Pro-Ject-Genie-3/

Its got really good reviews and is on budget

Ok now i want a turntable to play with lol