I believe the initial AKITO 1 had a cast bearing housing and the newer AKITO 2/B uses a machined ball race instead. I can't really speak for the Basik arm.
I have to say though, no arm dates better visually than the Ittok LVII, it looks just as modern today as it did back in it's introduction in my book.
.......Surely the sonic differences between an LVX and a Basik Plus are pretty small and it'd be pretty daft to bother 'upgrading' just to have the latest version of the budget Linn arm?
But a knackered Ittok can be horrible...
my linn lvv s-shaped arm sounds okay - not sure what the bearing loose comment means? How do I check?
You were wrong then and you are wrong now.I re-iterate what I said all those years back - my 1977 LP12 I bought in the lates 90s came with an LV-V, I always assumed it was the arm the deck was bought with. And as said - bearings easy to adjust, then not a bad arm…but was bettered by a modified RB250
You were wrong then and you are wrong now.
The LV-V was not available in 1977.
Basik LV V was introduced in 1980 and originally included an OEM version of the audio-technica AT-750 with black stylus knob. This cartridge was a short-lived none VM moving magnet that had become audio-technica's default OEM from before AT-3400. By 1982, the included phono cartridge had changed to a Linn branded AT-93 which came to be known as yellow Basik. LV V was dropped in 1983 with the introduction of Basik LV X. Yellow Basik continued on as the included MM and was also packaged in bubble card and sold on its own until the introduction of K9 in 1985. I clearly recall the local dealer having the last of their Linn brand enhanced AT-93 stock priced at $90 (had been $75 for some time before then), this at a time when one could have had a new AT-95E for circa $30, or stick an ATN-95E replacement stylus on their yellow Basik for even less.
By 1977, the Grace G-707 had taken over from the SME 3009 Series II/S2 imp that had been the default tonearm choice(s) previously.Thanks both - so first owner of my LP12 must have "upgraded" - what would a 1977 LP12 have had for an arm originally that an LV-V would have been an upgrade for I wonder?
By 1977, the Grace G-707 had taken over from the SME 3009 Series II/S2 imp that had been the default tonearm choice(s) previously.
That’s why I’m keeping hold of my Ittok LVIII, it’s about 30 years old and still working fineYes, much safer to buy a s/h LVX or Basik Plus than a Mk1 Akito.
Pity there is no Linn arm selling for a sensible price anymore.