best upgrade for 'standard' LP12

The "midbass ripeness" is a typical characteristic of the Linn table.

Aside from the stand, which you have addressed, there is not too much that can be done without dis-assembly or the table or arm. Even re-doing the adjustment of the suspension requires some dis-assembly.

Given these guidelines, I would recommend that you get an Expressimo Audio Heavyweight drop counterweight for the RB300. This is as easy to install as your stock one. Makes a nice improvement in sound. Under $100.

If your phono section can accept it, a good MC cartridge might be a nice improvement. Like a Shelter 501. $800.

If your phono section needs improvement, that can really make the analog setup sound better. Take a look at some nice tube phono sections, that can accept low output MC carts, or a good tube MM phono section and a good Step-up Transformer. EAR and ARC make some nice ones. The Wright phono stage is real good. Probably about $1k+ for a nice one. Or consider a used tube preamp with a MC phono stage, like the MFA Magus, or Audible Illusions, or Counterpoint, or ARC SP-6. May need re-capping.

If you want to do some dis-assembly on your Linn, then you could think about some other things.

TWL

thank you,

I will look into the sound quality changes the Expressimo Audio Heavyweight offers. I was thinking of maybe a new power cord or Vibrapods underneath or Trampolin.

I guess I should ask for any or maybe the most obvious improvement to my setup. Maybe a good thing to ask: is there any obvious weakness / do the components match each other or is one clearly of less quality than the others?

My pre amp is a Rogue 99 Magnum with phono, I am under the impression it is a pretty good phono section and comparable to the EAR - which is one of the reasons I bought it.

the rest of my system is: Plinius SA100 MKIII / Maggie 1.6s / Acoustic Zen wire / home made PCs and Vibrapods.

thanks

I like the Linn upgrades (have not OL). If doing the higher cost upgrade to the table I would do the Cirkus bearing ($600) installed. You get the new subchasis and bearing, new center platter, springs and grommetts and the new armboard. Not a bad deal. You a a signigcant improvement in resolution with a lowing of noise (ie the bearing).

I would not waste alot of money upgrading the rb 300 even if 100 or 200.

Cheap upgrade would be a the Extreme phono donut platter matt. You can get it at Music Direct for $22.

Phil, I think all your other stuff is just fine.

I have got very good results from the Heavyweight counterweight, and recommend it highly. I really did not expect alot from just a counterweight change, but it did alot more than I thought. RB300 is a good arm, and is worth upgrading in my opinion.

Trampolin might be ok, and easy.

Vibropods not needed on LP12.

the lingo adds what seems like a whole octave to the low end - big improvement (albeit expensive). I heard 2 lp12s side by side, one with and one without - it was quite a demo!

also, those ringmats (in place of the linn felt mat) make the sound a little tighter for not too much $.