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Back to analog ..was it a mistake???

Like alot in the 1980s I went totally digital.Took my 300+ album collection and boxed them up never thinking I would venture back.My current digital system is about everything I always wanted.Black background,nice sound stage,fast,clean,detailed yet very musical.The speakers disappear and instument seperation is there and in the correct locations.Vocals are superb on all types of music IMO..
From strong suggestions from my bro I decided to try the analog approach again even though the analog systems Ive heard recently never came close to my setup.I bought a mid 1980s Linn lp12 and did some upgrades to it..Mose/Hercules2,new Akito2 arm,belt,oil,Denon DL160,cables..had it setup correctly.Bought a new Musical Surroundings Phono.Spent days cleaning records.What I have in sound is nothing short of a big dissapointment for the time and money spent.Forgetting the snap,crackle, pop which is very hard to get around the sound stage is nowhere to be found.The speakers no longer disappear,its like taking 10 steps backwards..Yea, I know the Linn isnt the beat all table as well as the phono but something is amiss here.Ive tried a few adjustments and things seem to become a little better but when I do the digital it becomes clear my analog attempt sucks.Am I expecting too much from my new investment back to analog???Is all this analog talk just talk from guys who never had a great digital system??Any positive imput or suggestions is appreciated..Thanks in advance
missioncoonery
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
I'm not worried. The guy who wrote that is a very entertaining writer and has some good insights into audio. His Linn bashing is just way negative and over the top IMHO, I suppose because there surely are better tables out there 20-30 years later.

I don't know if I would shell out the bucks these days for a new Linn table, but the one I have that I acquired in 1986 or so for well under $1000 has served me extremely well. Perhaps the line is a dinosaur, but it deserves some respect for its staying power and the value it has provided to many over the years, similar to many other vintage designs.
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headsnappin
295 posts
 
Norman had a poorly set up LP12 for 10 years.
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
One thing I will say about the Lp12, from what I read, it is not easy to get set up right for whatever reason. It is not for those who are more interested in easy plug and play than tweaking, perhaps.

On the other hand, the simpler but similar Linn Axis that I have run for years is a piece of cake to set up and get good sound out of, no more than most any other vintage table I have operated over the years. These are harder to find though these days I believe.

Other than that, for those interested in easy set up/plug and play, I would probably look elsewhere. Stay away from potentially great tables that require an engineering degree to set up optimally.
missioncoonery OP
732 posts
 
Im not looking for another table so the Linn bashing is falling on deaf ears..The fussiness of the lp12 is totally overblown IMO(I figured that out in about a day).After a long purchase process the Linn is hard to beat for the money,thats why I bought one.The overasll sound is much better than when started and im still messing with it,not table setup but cables,phono settings etc etc....
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chazro
575 posts
 
I've owned an LP12 for 20 yrs. From all that I've read, the TT was notoriously fussy in it's earlier days. I've NEVER had a problem with it falling 'out' of tune. I also have a Ittok IV and original Lingo. My systems' done a complete changeover from all-transistor to all-tube and thru all the changes, my Linn has held up like a champ. I've had it 'tuned up' 3 times in the past 20 yrs by a pro. The best results I've gotten from my LP12 have been with Ortofon cartridges. The 1st was a MC3000 ceramic, man was she a great cartridge, currently I'm using a Kontrapunkt B and it's been a keeper! The Ortofons have always produced a very low noisefloor in my system, almost dead silent velvet black! To the original poster, obviously the answers you've gotten should tell you one thing, it's possible to get good sound with the LP12, it's totally up to you if you want to.
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