[Songforyou]

Here is my question:

I'm buying another turntable. 

I have a Scout with a Dynavector 20XH and I'm so happy with vinyl that I only play CDs for the dog (when I'm mad at her).

I was going to get something simple and funky like a Technics SL-1200.  Looked into various KAB mods and I started pushing $1,100 or so.

Then I saw a few used Linns around the $1,500 mark.  I remember checking Linns out back when I was a poor student in the early 80s.  I loved the sound and the table.

What should I do?  What should I buy??? 

[enjoythemusic]

Excellent question and also wondered the same thing years ago as was a dj and used the 1200 (impressive table) and in the end a deal came up for something else. Between the LP12 or 1200 i'd opt for the Linn LP12. While the 1200 is impressive, there are benefits to a sprung table i like plus with the Linn you know it can be tweaked as you desire... and the LP12 is legendary for a reason

[Maxxie38!]

Do you think the LP 12 in tis basic configuration will be much better than the Scout? In any case it does not seem to fit the bill of "simple and funky" you were thinking of

Christian

[enjoythemusic]

Alas, not even a clue about the Scout so do not know, sorry

[Bob Attiyeh]

Dear Songforyou,

I agree with "enjoythemusic."  It may not be fashionable to rave about the Sondek LP-12 these days, I realize.  I have fancier turntables, but the Sondek is probably my favorite.  I don't have the best arm: I have the midrange arm, the Akito.  And I have only the Valhalla power supply, not the finer outboard power supply.  Nevertheless, this is an extraordinarily nice turntable.  It holds its setup reliably, with very few adjustments necessary over time. 

I prevailed upon my kind friend Elliot (of Acoustic Image fame, www.acousticimage.com) to set up this tuntable with my new cartridge, and he found a way (by adjusting the height of the tonearm) to mitigate the disadvantages of this tonearm. 

I'm using the Helikon SL, and Hovland phonocables.  I'm very happy with the combination.  It was Elliot who ordered these for me too. 

I sympathise with you for only inflicting CDs on your puppy if you're mad at her.  There are exceptions, however, and I hope you give at least the occasional CD a chance.  We've been yapping about this at http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=36567.0

Good luck in your choice! If you find a nice Sondek I suspect you will be happy with it for many years.

Best wishes and happy hunting,

Bob

Bob Attiyeh
Yarlung Records
www.yarlungrecords.com

[TONEPUB]

THe LP-12 is a truly great table, but only if setup properly.  I wish i could tell you
what the "magic" setup was, but I know it has a lot to do with the suspension.

The key to making an LP12 really sing is to find someone that has a great sounding
one and ask them if they will help you with yours.  I unfortunately just couldn't get a
local guy where I live to set mine up the last 20 percent of the way and honestly,
that's where the magic is....

I would say if you aren't really geekily inclined and you just want to enjoy music
without the fuss, the scout is not a bad idea.  I think a PERFECTLY set up LP-12
would ultimately sound more musical and does offer a huge upgrade path, an imperfectly
set up LP-12 will always leave you longing...

And I say this from experience!  I loved my LP-12 but could never get it quite right.
I gave up and bought an AVID Volvere and Im a real happy guy!

Best of luck on the search!

Remember, patience if you want to be an LP-12 jedi!!

[andyr]

Here is my question:

I'm buying another turntable. 

I have a Scout with a Dynavector 20XH and I'm so happy with vinyl that I only play CDs for the dog (when I'm mad at her).

I was going to get something simple and funky like a Technics SL-1200.  Looked into various KAB mods and I started pushing $1,100 or so.

Then I saw a few used Linns around the $1,500 mark.  I remember checking Linns out back when I was a poor student in the early 80s.  I loved the sound and the table.

What should I do?  What should I buy??? 

Being in Oz, I have no idea what you'd pay for an LP12 (or an SL-1200) but what you have to pay will undoubtedly reflect what "addons" it's had but, as an LP12 owner for more than 25 years, I have to say ... buy an LP12!     

You might buy it in various stages of "upgrade" but, no matter ... however you buy it, it can be improved as you collect the sheckels together.  And it'll sound good while you're doing this! 

I'd have to agree with other posters that when an LP12 is not set up right, it certainly doesn't sound as good as when it is.  So if there isn't a good LP12 technician in your area, you'll have to learn how to do it yourself!    This is not an impossible task ... Vinyl Engine has all the LP12 setup guides you'd ever need and there are several other forums apart from this one where you can get worthwhile advice.

After having several upgrades performed over the years (Cirkus, Lingo, new arm - a Graham 2.2), I got an amazing improvement recently when I installed a Cetech carbon-fibre sub-chassis and carbon fibre armboard.  And there are still more worthwhile tweaks that I can do to this "unpolished gem"!!   

Regards,

Andy