More good news about sound quality!
Bit of an epic day this Friday. Not only have I found a new way to get better sound at home from CD but while George from Linn was demonstrating the DS units we were chatting about the new turntable from Linn. Well not exactly a new turntable but a variation on the legendary Sondek LP12.
The Linn Sondek LP12 turntable was the vinyl spinner I lusted after when I was knee high to a grasshopper (sadly a long time ago) and was the product that revolutionized the UK hifi industry. Until Ivor Teifenbrun (the Linn Grand Fromage) took the LP12 to UK dealers and forced them to listen (often with threats and beatings if the tales are to be believed), then the perceived wisdom was that all turntables sounded the same. After Ivor did his stuff only someone with a whole bar of soap stuffed in each ear could fail to appreciate the difference between turntables.
Over 25 years later the LP12 has gone through many changes, upgrades, and improvements all in the search for better and better sound quality, until today in its latest incarnation with the Keel sub chassis, Ekos SE tonearm and Arkive cartridge it can lay claim to "The Best in the world". However, all this precision engineering comes at a price, and a fully loaded LP12 with power supply and phono stage costs about the same as a small car (Gives more pleasure, costs less to run, and is better for the environment) which can take it out of the reach of all but the most well healed or most dedicated vinyl enthusiast. Even the entry level table with the "budget" arm and starter cartridge was costing significant amount and this must have been preventing people from enjoying the delights of Linn LP12 ownership.
Clearly the chaps at Linn were thinking along the same lines and being smart fellows they have done something about it. Enter stage right the new LP12. A lower cost power supply, pick up arm, and the entry level cartridge have taken the cost of LP12 ownership to just under £2000. Clearly not cheap but quality never is. But the best part is that this turntable is upgradeable in stages to the full top of the range specification. BRILLIANT!
You can start with this unit and with birthdays and Xmas presents soon get up to the top model. Never again will your other half be stuck for what to get you. Never again will you have to do the insincere "darling it’s lovely" when opening the present. You know it makes sense.
jeff
The Linn Sondek LP12 turntable was the vinyl spinner I lusted after when I was knee high to a grasshopper (sadly a long time ago) and was the product that revolutionized the UK hifi industry. Until Ivor Teifenbrun (the Linn Grand Fromage) took the LP12 to UK dealers and forced them to listen (often with threats and beatings if the tales are to be believed), then the perceived wisdom was that all turntables sounded the same. After Ivor did his stuff only someone with a whole bar of soap stuffed in each ear could fail to appreciate the difference between turntables.
Over 25 years later the LP12 has gone through many changes, upgrades, and improvements all in the search for better and better sound quality, until today in its latest incarnation with the Keel sub chassis, Ekos SE tonearm and Arkive cartridge it can lay claim to "The Best in the world". However, all this precision engineering comes at a price, and a fully loaded LP12 with power supply and phono stage costs about the same as a small car (Gives more pleasure, costs less to run, and is better for the environment) which can take it out of the reach of all but the most well healed or most dedicated vinyl enthusiast. Even the entry level table with the "budget" arm and starter cartridge was costing significant amount and this must have been preventing people from enjoying the delights of Linn LP12 ownership.
Clearly the chaps at Linn were thinking along the same lines and being smart fellows they have done something about it. Enter stage right the new LP12. A lower cost power supply, pick up arm, and the entry level cartridge have taken the cost of LP12 ownership to just under £2000. Clearly not cheap but quality never is. But the best part is that this turntable is upgradeable in stages to the full top of the range specification. BRILLIANT!
You can start with this unit and with birthdays and Xmas presents soon get up to the top model. Never again will your other half be stuck for what to get you. Never again will you have to do the insincere "darling it’s lovely" when opening the present. You know it makes sense.
jeff
posted by Castle Sound & Vision at
15:00
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