advertisement


LP12 sweet spot under a grand

Mr Pig said:
I like the liquid, fluidity of unipivots but I wouldn't want to live with one. I think a good Rega arm is a perfect cross between the sweetness of a unipivot and the dynamics and punch of an Ittok or Ekos. Ittok too hard, unipivot too soft, Rega Goldilocks.
Click to expand...
Not all unipivots are created the same. I have a NA Omega Point, the predecessor to the Space. It's heavy, unipivot, and outperformed an Ittok on an LP12 by miles in every respect and every genre. It's now on my Garrard 401.
 
Interesting thread.

have always thought the lp12 is an attractive but expensive deck, didn’t think you could get a decent deck for around 1k. Currently have a rega P6 with exact which is probably worth around 1k second hand, do people think you could better it sonically with an lp12 at similar trade in or direct swap? Would an exact cart work well on an lp12?

thanks
 
Allaboutmusic said:
Currently have a rega P6 with exact which is probably worth around 1k second hand, do people think you could better it sonically with an lp12 at similar trade in or direct swap? Would an exact cart work well on an LP12?
Click to expand...

Yes and yes.

While they share strong musicality, Rega turntables don't sound like the LP12. Lower end Linn's have a fuller, more solid sound than Regas.

I love the Exact and it works really well on the LP12. As do Rega tonearms. It's a special cartridge.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
Allaboutmusic said:
Is this a good deal / starting point for an lp12? Looks in good condition.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/19512437...d=link&campid=5338728743&toolid=20001&mkevt=1
Click to expand...

I wouldn't buy an LP12 off eBay unless I knew it was a basket case which I was going to fix. In the face of it the deck looks tidy enough but it has a couple of odd modifications, the power lead and the three pips under the platter. Bearing is very old. K18 is an old cartridge, consider the stylus knacked. If all is well the price is... still a bit high but I'd want to check the arm, Valhalla and bearing before buying it.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
Mr Pig said:
I wouldn't buy an LP12 off eBay unless I knew it was a basket case which I was going to fix. In the face of it the deck looks tidy enough but it has a couple of odd modifications, the power lead and the three pips under the platter. Bearing is very old. K18 is an old cartridge, consider the stylus knacked. If all is well the price is... still a bit high but I'd want to check the arm, Valhalla and bearing before buying it.
Click to expand...
Where is the best place to look for a used lp12?
 
My late eighties deck has just had some TLC ,not before time too!.
Changed the Cirkus bearing to Karousel and went from Lingo 1 to 4....
sounding better than ever!.
was playing Aladdin Sane this afternoon on it and i was definately hearing Mick Ronson's guitar so clearly like never before.
Bowie owed Mick a lot for all the work at the mixing desk too.
 
Allaboutmusic said:
Where is the best place to look for a used lp12?
Click to expand...

Have you contacted any of the specialist LP 12 dealers?

Cymbiosis, as an example, can probably build you a deck using a mix of new (where it matters) and used parts if you give them a budget. Sometimes it is worthwhile to stretch the budget a bit in order to get a better looking deck with, say, a new lid or a shiny outer platter.

No vested interest, just a super satisfied customer.
 
Last edited:
Just had a look at Cymbiosis website, really cool. They suggest a value of around 1.4K for them to build a lp12 which seems reasonable, have to say I’m pretty excited about this. Can’t proceed straight away as doing some home improvements at the moment but think I’ll defo do this in the new year.

2 things I really like, firstly you can choose your plinth and secondly it gives you a bit of a project re upgrading over time.

will keep an eye on the classified too.

Is there an equivalent to cymbiosys in Scotland by chance?
 
Allaboutmusic said:
Just had a look at Cymbiosis website, really cool. They suggest a value of around 1.4K for them to build a lp12 which seems reasonable, have to say I’m pretty excited about this. Can’t proceed straight away as doing some home improvements at the moment but think I’ll defo do this in the new year.

2 things I really like, firstly you can choose your plinth and secondly it gives you a bit of a project re upgrading over time.

will keep an eye on the classified too.

Is there an equivalent to cymbiosys in Scotland by chance?
Click to expand...
Try not to get drawn in, there are much cheaper and better turntables. PT 2 (too) would be my recommendation, maybe an Alphason Sonata

Personally I really hate any TT with a felt platter mat. I've no time for any of them, peeling the mat from records is just nonsense
 
Loud & Clear Glasgow is your best bet. Is that close enough? They'll build a deck to your budget.

I'd keep an eye on gumtree and local eBay adds. Buying privately is fine as long as you can check the deck out in person.
 
Allaboutmusic said:
Just had a look at Cymbiosis website, really cool. They suggest a value of around 1.4K for them to build a lp12 which seems reasonable, have to say I’m pretty excited about this. Can’t proceed straight away as doing some home improvements at the moment but think I’ll defo do this in the new year.

2 things I really like, firstly you can choose your plinth and secondly it gives you a bit of a project re upgrading over time.

will keep an eye on the classified too.

Is there an equivalent to cymbiosys in Scotland by chance?
Click to expand...

Loud and Clear in Glasgow. Run by Ian Pirie.
 
Allaboutmusic said:
And would loud & clear build one for you from second hand parts as per cymbiosis.
Click to expand...

Yes. They have loads of parts traded in from upgrades. LP12 sales and service is something they're very enthusiastic about. It's to be expected. These guys are in Glasgow! Iain is ex Stereo Stereo and ex-Linn before that. I've bumped into Ivor in these shops twice. Their LP12 guy used to be Johnnie Nilson of Audio Origami fame and he's still a phone call and short drive away. Now they're having to slum it with a retired Rolls Royce engineer! ;0)

Yeah, Loud & Clear is a pretty safe place to buy an LP12.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


advertisement


Back
Top