Resurrecting the vinyl spinner

[up the music]

To clear some space I posted up an ad for all my spare kit. First respondent had an enquiry about my Linn Lp12/Basik Plus/K9 turntable.

I dug it out from it's 4 year hibernation gave it a light dust down, made a temporary setup on my coffee table with a Naim 62/140 pre power amps and Acoustic Energy AE1 speakers.

Found Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'Couldn't Stand The Weather' album at front of the stack of vinyl and gave it a spin, followed by Tangerine Dream - Poland.

Now I'm considering getting it a service, oil change and new cartridge. I know it's not on full form at present but it still makes some quite nice sounds.

Damn, I was thinking of recouping some money here, not spending more.

Does anybody have cartridge recommendations? All 3 of my K9 styluses are a little long in the tooth now. Am I right in thinking a MM or high output MC would work into the 47K ohm input on my EAR802? See, I've forgotten all this turntable stuff.

How does a 1989 LP12 compare to more recent decks? Given that LP12's have a mystique and high resale value, could I buy better with the money I'd get?

These are all early thoughts, I'm only on the second side of my second album.

Mostly I just wanted to tell you all that I've rediscovered vinyl. Pity I only have a couple of hundred albums.

 

[Anonymous]

Your cartridge was a modified Audio Technica AT 95E, so, if you liked the sound, go for the same brand - I'd suggest the AT 120E or the AT440. Otherwise, try the new Ortofon 2M red of better.

Lovely turntable, by the way. Lots of updates around if you want to bring it up to the latest spec, but I'd get a service as you say then just enjoy it for a while.

 

[Anonymous]

Missed your other question. You'd be hard pressed to buy better, it's still the yardstick.

 

[Lost Angeles]

I love my TT and it's 23 years old, your LP12 is a good step up from my RP3 so just enjoy it, but if you can't sell on E-Bay you could always give it to me.

 

[up the music]

Oh yes, and the cats have never seen a turntable before.

You can tell what's going on in their minds--

'Fascinating round and round thing, it makes tizzy noises from the end of the long bit. What happens if I try to walk on the arm board or paw the tizzy noise making bit'.

A firm 'NO' stopped those evil thoughts dead in their tracks.

Note to self.
'Keep the lid down'.

I found this lovely You Tube of a cat playing on a turntable

 

[the record spot]

Doubt you'll better it for less than the price of something like the Majik LP12 (a cat's whisker under £2000) and it'll stand a better cartridge than the admittedly excellent AT95 or 110E or Ortofon 2M equivalents. They'll do for starters, but that deck would really sing with something slightly better.

Use the money in time (enjoy it for now) to get it serviced by Linn, brought up to spec if you choose and get back to the best music listening experience there is.

(IMO!)