[yogacraig]

Hello,
     In short, 80's system dead or dying.  I am building a new mostly one-brand system, Rega, aand amazed at the amount of info and assistance available.  Old (ancient) system:  Linn LP12(Valhalla)/Rega RB300, Luxman T-115, PS Audio IV, Adcom GFA-2, Tandberg TCD-330, Quad ESL-57.  All of these are dead.  New system has begun with:  Rega Brio-R, Apollo-R, V-can Mk. ii, and ARxp 2's which I found in a used book/cd shop for $50 in almost new condition.  I'm shopping for a silver Rega 3 tuner, and making my own Rega-ish interconnects, hoping to eventually resurrect the Linn and Quad's.  Any advice/feedback to a returning junkie, er, devotee? 

[toocool4]

Welcome back yogacraig. You should get your Quad ESL-57 serviced and back in use nice speakers. Ditch the Linn, keep the RB300 arm and get a nice Rega turntable since you want to keep to one brand.

Enjoy your return.

[Ericus Rex]

Sounds like you've got your mind all made up.  Rega speakers, perhaps?

[yogacraig]

Speakers eventually.  Tuner now since the Luxman has an intemittent power switch.  Like its owner, it is more consistently on above 75 degrees F.  The Linn is my first real TT child.  OK, there was a Sansui in the 70's and a B and O 1800 in the 80's.  I was thinking a Lingo 2 and Rega cartridge, when the time comes I will be searching Chicago area for expertise.  I would love to send in the Quads before the year is up for complete reno. Last topic:  I bought the V-can mk ii very cheap with a Pangea PS and am looking for lightly used pair of HD600's.  Any idea if the Rega Headphone amp is any improvement? The V-can sounds nice even over Nuforce earbuds.  Thanks for the welcome and the responses.  Peace. 

[jarcher]

Seems to me the Linn TT + the Quad speakers would be keepers, no? 

For the TT I'd put more money into the cartridge + maybe a better phono preamp than what's in the Rega Brio vs the Lingo 2.  $1000+ goes a long way towards a decent cart + preamp.

The Apollo would seem to keep you happy enough for digital (unless you plan to go the PC server side). 

Don't have a lot of experience on the headphone amp side, but never really hear anyone mention the Rega one.  Seems like something from Woo Audio would be a better choice if you're looking to upgrade and want that warm sound. 

[toocool4]

I still say ditch the Linn, so overrated. You would get a more consistent / reliable turntable from Rega.

[Guy 13]

I still say ditch the Linn, so overrated. You would get a more consistent / reliable turntable from Rega.

Hi toocool4 and all Audio Circle members.
I had a Linn LP12 the belt broke (45 USD) and almost at the same time the PCB speed control failed (350 USD).
O.K. it was about 15 years old.
I now own (2 years) a Rega P3 with an Exact MM cartridge and I am happy.

Guy 13

[jarcher]

I still say ditch the Linn, so overrated. You would get a more consistent / reliable turntable from Rega.

Why spend $1,000+ for a comparable Rega if you don't need to - assuming his Linn is still working properly or requires only minor work?  Seems like the $ would be better spend elsewhere.

[toocool4]

Seems like the $ would be better spend elsewhere.

Yes, away from Linn

[jarcher]

Yes, away from Linn

Don't get me wrong - I'm far from being a Linn fan - I do think most Linn stuff is overpriced & over rated.  But the LP12 TT seems to have universally regarded classic status - and with the Lingo power supply it's Stereophile Class A rated.  Seems like selling it & going elsewhere might be a lateral move at best with a lot of extra money spent.

[srb]

Seems like selling it & going elsewhere might be a lateral move at best with a lot of extra money spent.

It's always far easier to spend someone else's money! 

Steve

[toocool4]

It's always far easier to spend someone else's money! 

Steve

I spend my own money just as easy, actually easier.

[yogacraig]

Thought process:  I started this process looking at a deeply discounted NIB Arcam solo music w/ Muso speakers.  An Arcam dealer steered me away towards Rega.  I was looking for a good, small, interim system to replace all my failing stuff until such time as I could buy good separates suitable for the Quads and Linn, as well as upgrade/rebuild the L/Q.  I'm looking at the Rega as becoming my secondary system probably making it more digital with the Rega DAC, so eventually might not have TT in it.  Life would be so much simpler with one big fat lottery win.  Thanks for all the feedback.  I do agree that Linn is way over-priced and it may be that newer Rega TT are the equal of the LP12, but the LP12 inmho was a clear level or two above the Planar 3.  I'll have to balance performance with budget and future plans.  Peace.

[toocool4]

but the LP12 inmho was a clear level or two above the Planar 3.

Yes i agree. You need to go up the Rega tree for better or maybe it’s just different.

[Stu Pitt]

A lot of the headphone guys on places like head-fi and one or two others that escape my memory bash the Rega headphone amp.  Some were other Rega product owners, so I guess that says something.  It wasn't that it sounded awful, but they thought its an almost empty box with minimal cheap parts.  I read the threads with internal pics of it posted and decided against one.  Didn't get a headphone amp in the end, as my Bryston integrated's headphone section sounds more than good enough and drives my IEMs with no problems.

The Creek headphone amps get bashed even more by those guys, if you were contemplating one of those.  The best bet would be to ask at head-fi if you're serious about a headphone amp.  There's tons of them out there for little outlay.

As far as components go, I was going to suggest the Rega DAC over the Apollo R.  I haven't heard the Apollo R, but I own the Rega DAC and am a huge fan.  I haven't yet heard anyone say the Apollo R is better; my reason for suggesting the DAC is that it's more functional.  I can't see how the Apollo R would be better, as both are priced the same and the Apollo has more parts to it.  Just my theory, hear them both if you can.

I wouldn't ditch the LP12.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it or replace it.

I'm a huge Rega fan, but I don't like their cartridges at all.  Some love them, but they're just not for me.  It's hard to describe, but I can't warm up to them at all.  I own and love the Dynavector 10x5.  Sounds great on Rega tonearms too.

I don't know your total budget, but if you're looking to replace pretty much everything, have you considered the Naim Uniti line?  The Uniti Lite is basically a Nait 5i, CD5i, DAC, digital iPod player, streamer and FM/Internet tuner in one easy to use box for $3k ($3400 for FM tuner model).  May sound a bit pricey, but by the time you add up the cost of the parts, it's far more reasonable.  And it sounds fantastic.

Only thing the Uniti is missing is a phono stage.  Pick up a second hand Dynavector P-75 mk1 or 2, pair it up with a 10x5 and Uniti Lite, and you've got a great sounding system that's priced very well and is about as simple and functional as it gets while keeping sound quality as a priority. 

All IMO of course.  It's fun spending someone else's money!

[yogacraig]

Stu
     Thanks for the feedback.  I originally was looking at the Arcam NIB solo music for around $1,000.  Naim was way over budget, tired of black rectangles, and have heard some very expensive Naim setups that hurt my ears(though I've also heard the Uniti and Nait 5 that were quite musical).  I was steered away from my original intent of low budget, one box simplicity with fairly good sound, by an Arcam dealer who couldn't recommend them, partially for their Chinese origin.  I found a Brio-R and Apollo-R demo/slight use for $1350 and like the sound alot, as well as design/color.  I think the top loading design of the Apollo is great after having past CDPs fail in this area.  I hope to add a Rega DAC and would like to add a new tuner of the same narrow design but can't find out what, if anything, Rega has planned.  I'm hunting for a Radio three and Solar remote in the meantime.
     Sounds like the V-can MK-ii I'm using is probably at least as good as the Rega.  I bought it because it has a line out so I didn't lose one from the back of the Brio and it was only $218 with a Pangea power supply.   As far as cartridges go, you probably know way more than me.  I plan on tackling the TT issues once I get a tuner and some headphones.  I've already made a big improvement over my nearly thirty year old system.  Peace.

[Stu Pitt]

That's a great deal for a Brio-R and Apollo-R IMO.  Definitely a no-brainer.  They sound great (I'm assuming with the Apollo-R based on my owning the DAC).

I'm no cartridge expert by any means.  I've heard several on that Rega tonearm, and several on my Pro-Ject 1Xpression.  The Dynavector was always the best to my ears.  Key words being my ears.

The LP12 is a great deck.  It's also pretty polarizing.  People either love it or hate it; very, very few wil say its an ok deck!

My local Naim/Rega/Linn dealer also carries Arcam.  The Solo sounds very good IMO, as does their other stuff, but he'll freely admit that their reliability has slipped considerably since outsourcing production.  He used to carry it as a sonic alternative, now he carries it as an entry-level line (compared to his other lines).

As far as a tuner, I'm assuming Rega has one planned in the new chassis.  But it's most likely the lowest priority for them - they're reportedly updating or just updated the Mira and Saturn (in full sized chassis).  Since a tuner would be the least selling item, I'd imagine it'll get shelved until they've got nothing better to do.  I know I would if I were in charge.

Pro-Ject's tuner box may be an alternative if you want a tuner sooner than later.  Small silver chassis, not too expensive, and I believe a remote control.

Instead of hunting down a Solar remote, have you considered a Logitech Harmony?  They constantly change their lineup, so you may be able to find a discontinued one for cheap from Amazon or the like.  I bought a Xbox Harmony remote for $50.  Controlled my original Apollo and everything else I've owned very easily. 

[jarcher]

I also have a Logitech Harmony XBOX remote that I also got for about $50 - probably half the price of the otherwise non-XBOX remote.  So maybe some of the buttons aren't as nice as the much more expensive ones - but the important thing is that it preforms all the same functions, is relatively small / slim, and costs a lot less.

As for a tuner - I've heard it said that "vintage" tuners are often the peers or even better than modern tuners.  Maybe not a good decor match for the svelte / modern Rega pieces, but something worth considering if your looking for best bang for the buck.

[Stu Pitt]

The XBox Harmony remote was originally $100.  I don't it think it sold very well, being an XBox targeted audience remote.  I got it after it was discontinued from Best Buy for $50ish.  I remember that because I started looking into a Harmony remote and saw it at full price thinking how many Xbox players would want it for $100 when the Xbox brand remote was about $30 or so.  The remotes are very different, but the typical Xboxers probably wouldn't see it.  It was basically a regular Harmony remote with a couple Xbox specific buttons.  Same original price as the non-Xbox version of basically the same remote. 

Way too much info. 

[rollo]

As a linn and Kuzma owner I would keep the Linn add the lingo get new springs and call it a day. No need to jump on the Linn upgrade path. It is a classic and will bring you all you want with the correct cart. The Quads are another classic. Look into refurbishing them. I  cannot remember the guy in Florida who does that.
   Then you may consider a new amp for the Quads.


charles