1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 1395264375

Linn Basik LVX vs. Rega RB 303

Hi, Folks,
I have a very old Linn Basik LVX on my SOTA Sapphire. When I say "very old," I mean that I bought it used from the dealer back in 1986! :-)
I was having hum/buzz issues on my analogue side, and finally isolated it down to the turntable. It turned out to be a shorted tonearm ground wire along with some mechanical elements of the arm that needed tightening. All this was done by Mike at Austin Stereo, a great, local repair shop.
Now the hum is gone and the arm is sounding fine but the whole exercise has me wondering whether I might want to upgrade the old arm. My budget is modest so the Rega RB 303 at $600 sounds about right. By the way, my cart is an Ortofon 2M Blue.
Would this be a worthwhile (i.e., discernible) step up?
Thanks for your opinions!
rebbi
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I wouldn't do it. I don't care for the sound of Rega arms on the Linn tables, though others swear by them, and the blue is designed with the Rega arms as the design center. The Rega arm will certainly sound different, but better...that's another story.

For about the same money, with a little bit of shopping, you could get an Ittok which would be a noticible step up.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
If the arm is fixed and you like it why bother?
rebbi OP
1,319 posts
 
Viridian:
I've thought of keeping my eyes open for a used Ittok. The advantage would be that I already have a Linn arm board on the SOTA Sapphire so I save the cost of a new arm board from SOTA if I stick with a Linn arm.

Yogiboy:
Just curiosity. I've heard that the Basik LVX is a pretty crappy arm but it's all I've ever owned. Just wondering if the grass is greener on the Rega side.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
2,678 posts
 
Rebbi:
You said you liked the LVX,that is why I said why bother.
If you want to get a Rega go ahead with it but make sure it is a good match with your cartridge otherwise it might not be worth your trouble .
polk432
1,116 posts
 
The LVX is not a bad arm, but I'd save up for the Ittock LVII. I'm on my 3rd LP12 and shortly owned a Rega RP3 w/RB303.I'd never buy another one. It's ok for a second system but can't compare to the LP12. There will be more of a difference between the LVX and the Ittock than going from Ittock to Ekos.Best of luck.
More to discover