Zavato,
Unlike Norman above, I added a Radikal D to my Linn and the difference was easy and clearly heard. The Radikal D is a huge improvement to the Linn TT.
Do the 'AB' with the the VPI Prime...and compare it to a Linn LP12 Radikal D; I suspect ( strongly) that the idea of adding the Prime will quickly fade away, LOL. |
Stringreen, I would say you have never heard a top flite LP12 Radikal D.
I have heard a Prime, I wouldn't even compare it to the entry Linn LP12 Magik! |
Zavato, that is my observation as well. I see all the time people who are saying this or that about the LP12 and yet they either have a) never heard a LP12, b) have not heard a LP12 in over ten years, c) have only heard the entry level model---and probably years ago, or d) have not heard a properly set up model.
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Norman, There has been a lot of talk about the amateur reviewer that posted the review that you linked to. Here are some alternate views: http://forums.linn.co.uk/bb/showthread.php?tid=31916Including a comment that I posted there after seeing the room that the guy was using! See for yourself..... |
Norman, I think if you like your Dual TT that is a very good thing.
If it portrays the sound you are looking for, then nothing to complain about there. However, IMHO a Dual is not in the same league as even the oldest 70’s LP12 with a Nirvana power supply....unless the set up and the cartridge on the LP12 are totally shot! I know you have never heard a LP12 Radikal D Klimax or you probably wouldn’t be posting as you did.
Comparing any TT to the master tape or even the 2nd gen tape on the likes of a Studer isn’t really fair. However, I can tell you that the Miles Davis KOB 45rpm MFSL on my TT has brought jaws to the floor of all a’philes that I have had over to listen. As they say YMMV.
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Just reviews like one, LOL. |
Norman, sorry to hear of your issues with your Linn dealer. However, I do not think that the problems you had with the dealer are truly anything to do with the quality of the turntable.
Unfortunately, you probably did not hear what your Lingo'ed Linn could really do...and you certainly have no idea as to what a Radikal D Klimax model can do.
Just FYI, the Valhalla upgrade and the Lingo upgrade are both power supply upgrades. The only real motor upgrade involves the Radikal D.
I would suspect you also were listening to one of the older 'shoe box' Lingo models. The latest Lingo Mk3 is a lot better than the old 'shoe box' model. Nonetheless, all of the upgrades you describe didn't bring your table to anywhere near what it is capable of today.
As to the set-up, if this isn't done correctly, you are leaving behind more than half of what the table can give.
Melm, if you have ever heard a Studer in a good system, I can tell you that it is a pretty big step up over even the best vinyl. IF HW at VPI is trying to get close to the sound of the master tape, good for him, but I know he has a very long way to still go.
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rgs, who said that distortions are more accurate than the original??
Like you said, every TT distorts to some extent or other, as for that matter, so does every piece of gear that we use in our system.
However, I am not one to believe that if a piece of gear measures greatly and sounds to my ears poorly, that it is my ears that are wrong. If the gear measures great and sounds great...then it is a winner...conversely if it measures poorly..and to me sounds great, it's still a winner. YMMV.
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Norman, the Linn LP12 is not a 'right out of box' set it on the stand and good to go type of product. It has always needed to be set up by a competent dealer and "fettled" ( as the Brits say) to work its best. Somewhat like tuning a race car. If your dealer was unable to do this for you, again it was not the Linn's fault, but certainly one could look at your dealer!
However, it has been my experience, that once the table is set up 'correctly' then it tends to stay that way through time and deliver the sound for which it is known.
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varyat, +1.
melm, I would know this because I have heard the top of the line VPI and I have heard a well sorted Studer. Playing the same piece, the Studer left the VPI in the dust.
If you really think a VPI can compete on the same stage as a Studer playing a master tape, well all I can say is I very very seriously doubt you have ever heard a top flite tape deck! |
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Norman, I think we will have to agree to disagree. I have heard all of the VPI range, including the DD and the Classic 11 that you mention.
Compared to a Linn LP12 Radikal D Klimax, the VPI Classic 11 is IMHO not competitive. For your $10K budget, one could get a LP12 with Radikal D and Kore that would still be a better option than the similarly priced VPI. All IMHO. |
Norman, I hope your Linn dealer is not the same guy as you have referred to in your prior posts. That dealer seems unable to set up the table so that you could hear what it is capable of. Just saying.
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mmakshak, I can tell you that the Radikal D power supply is a very BIG step up over all of the Lingo's that I have heard, including the Lingo 3.
The dc motor and the speed control of it are exemplary and the background noise, like you expected, is now virtually nil. |
I listened to a friends Prime with a Lyra Delos. It is a good set up and I think it competes well with the Linn LP12 Magik, but not as revealing as the Linn LP12 Akurate level. |
