Listen to Michael Jackson’s Bad set and it charges through Smooth Criminalwith enthusiasm. The Klimax LP12 is still a wonderfully musical deck, though. Detail resolution, agility and transparency have improved notably with each new step, but we know some still prefer the way things used to be. Over the years Linn’s developments have steadily moved the deck into becoming a more neutral performer. Early LP12s had a bit of a bloom at lower frequencies that gave them a rich, fluid and highly musical character. Once everything has had a chance to settle, the Klimax LP12 package is a fabulous performer. It doesn’t take too long to realise we needn’t have worried. While no strangers to the basic deck’s many talents, this range-topper’s price tag puts it up against some stellar competition in the form of Clearaudio’s I nnovation Wood. We have to admit we feared for this Klimax LP12. The cartridge uses a ceramic Boron cantilever with a nude micro-ridge diamond tip. The body is an intricately machined piece of 7075 aluminium onto which the hand-wound coil-and-magnet assembly is mounted. It’s an exposed design, which means it doesn’t have a housing that covers the internals this is done to help prevent any structural resonances from spoiling the sound. The partnering Kandid moving-coil cartridge is equally commendable. The arm tube is made of titanium while the main bearing housing uses stainless steel. It’s lovely to use, with impressively precise and smooth bearings giving it a feeling of real quality. It’s a design that can trace its heritage back to the classic Ittok tonearm that was introduced in the late ’70s, yet it still feels thoroughly modern and wholly competitive. There’s the unmistakable feel of a product that will carry on working for years to come and, given Linn’s track record, continue to be improved when technology allows. Every part of the Klimax LP12 has the aura of carefully honed engineering coupled to fit and finish of the highest level.
Surely, the upgrade strategy will depend on the exact model and condition of your LP12.Such thoughts start to fade once we start taking a careful look. Or, if you turntable has a pulley that matches your mains frequency build your own Naim Armageddon. If you get an old PS300 power supply and a 22 nF (I have to check this value ) capacitor you can have a cheap Lingo. The Lingo was really too expensive for just a 95V power sine oscillator.
You can get the needed Linn custom oil for the bearing also there - the oil is mandatory. If you are a DIY man, look for parts for the upgrade at the UK eBay - many people who upgrade their turntables will dump the old parts there for a cheap price. Some people reinforced the bearing zone with large thick washers and epoxy (Araldite type), or a machined part long before the Cirkus. I would however replace the suspension springs with the black steel type, and may be the armboard with a sandwich type. If the turntable was not abused the bearing would still be perfect - it was built with Teflon and should last indefinitely if there is oil inside. I would either spend around usd 500-800 maximum refurbishing and upgrading it, or I would buy a different turntable. To be fair, I would not spend usd 2500 on a 30 year old Linn. Vintage Receiver Tube: H.H.Scott 380,Fisher 800C,McIntosh MC-1500 Vintage amplifiers: 2-Knight Basic 60 restored,Knight Linear Deluxe mono blocks restored.2-Cown A30's mono blocks and A30 SXA stereo amplifierĪll vintage tube amplifiers use Mullard E元7 output tubes Quadraphonic system: Marantz 4400,Crown CX844 RTR and 4 JBL L55 speakers Vintage system: Classic Marantz separates,McIntosh upgraded C20 and C22 preamp and MC275 amplifier, Quintessence Group preamp,ParAcas dual mono preamp,Accuphase P300, Speakers:JBL L200’s, Klipschorn 1989 AK5's WO Superscope 555-A4,Sony TC-777-2 Both 2trk Rec&Play also 4 trk ,TC-777- 4J for the upstairs vintage system Turntable:Technics SL1200MK5 w/Nagaoka MP500, Linn Sondek LP12,2-Stanton ST-150 w Audio-Technica VM750SH Tuner: McIntosh MR78, DaySequerra FM Reference, McIntosh MR71, MR66,and MR80,Dynaco FM-3 modified,Accuphase T-106Ĭables: NBS Statement,Pro,Master Cables, Nirvana Digital SPDIF Cable,Gotham GC-4,Gepco Quad Microphone Cable,Mogami Gold/ RTR’s ParAcas Custom Passive Psycho Acoustic Circuit w/Fulton FMI100(4) & Little Maestros(2)Įlectronics: Agtron Platinum Mono Blocks Accuphase C200 preamp Accuphase P300 amplifer Parasound amplifier ParAcas Sierra electronic crossoverĭigital: Monarchy NM24 DAC Sony ES UBP-X1100ES Transport Speakers: ParAcas Satellites ParAcas Dual 16 subwoofer Velodyne FSR18