Linn Axis vs. new turntables

beatcomber

beatcomber

AK Member
I have a second gen Linn Axis that, believe it or not, I received for free a couple of years ago. I understand that it was Linn's budget offering around 1988 or so.

I happen to think that it's a terrific table (especially once I improved its feedback isolation using two layers of racquetballs under the plinth), but lately I've been wondering just how good is it? If it were still in production today, which tables from other manufacturers would be in its class, and approximately how much money would it take minimally to buy a new table to get better performance?

linn.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
It seems to me this turntable would be sort of in the range of the Rega P2 in some respects. The RB251 might be the better tonearm, but the Linn might be better in the turntable itself. So among Rega, I'd guess a step up requires a P3-24. I tend to think a Music Hall MMF-5.1 might be a step up, and a MMF-2.2 a step down. Just guesses. If I really wanted a step up, though, I'd probably not take baby steps. Instead, I'd say a real leap is something like a Clearaudio Concept...but that's a no kidding big leap.
 
With a Basik Plus arm, the Axis is roughly equivalent to a P-3/24 with motor controller as the Axis power supply is of similar provenance to the Linn Lingo...with a better arm, like the Akito II, or especially an Ittok LVII, it's in the P-5 to P-7 category...it really was a much better table than the Basik table...

I had an Axis that I traded away for my Sondek, so I lived with one for a few years, with the very same cartridges it consistently sounded much better, more musical, than my Yamaha PX-3...the Axis gave me a taste of really good turntable performance and is what made me want a Sondek...

Speaking of the motor power supply, that's the one area of an Axis to give problems...mine never did, but I bought a parts unit a couple of years ago and still haven't been able to get it to make the motor run properly....
 
I remember back, I believe in 1989, I compared the Rega Planar 2 and 3 as well as the Linn Axis. I used a Linn LP12 as the reference deck to compare all.

My order of preference was:

1. Linn LP12
2. Linn Axis
3. Rega Planar 3
4. Rega Planar 2

I ended up buying the Rega Planar 3, although I really like the Linn Axis but it was a little bit more than I wanted to spend.
 
The Axis, along with the Basik, are much better turntables than people give credit. The obvious comparison is with Rega, but, frankly, I'm not convinced a P5 is going to be that much better, if at all. Certainly leaves the P2 and P3 (I've had both) way behind.
 
Hi all,
I'd go along with the pecking order in this thread so far.
I progressed from an Axis to LP12 and got improvements all round, but I suspect that was more to do with the arm than the deck.
It would have been interesting to have popped an Ittok on the Axis to see where that sat. Anyone done this?
Agreed also that you need to improve the isolation, I used some rubberised carpet underlay which worked quite well (and still used today with the LP12).
The 45/33 electronic speed control is obviously another advantage with the Axis.

Mine did get rather warm though.

Yep! Nice deck and can still be found for sensible money, certainly over here in the UK.

Cheers
Dave
 
Hypothetically, would said TT be equal, lower or greater than a Thorens TD-160?

A jab at my sleeper, lurker older brother who'd be all over this thread as he has one. Keep your eye out for an aging Australian sniffing around your Linn threads.

:butt1:


Oh, Love you mate! Looking forward to seeing you next week! :thmbsp: :smoke::thmbsp: :yes::D:drool::boring:
 
RickB said:
With a Basik Plus arm, the Axis is roughly equivalent to a P-3/24 with motor controller as the Axis power supply is of similar provenance to the Linn Lingo...with a better arm, like the Akito II, or especially an Ittok LVII, it's in the P-5 to P-7 category...it really was a much better table than the Basik table...
Click to expand...

My table has the Basik Plus arm...

Thanks, everyone, for confirming what I thought to be true. Namely, that my Linn is roughly on par with modern tables in the $900-1000 range. (Not bad for a freebie! :D )

...the Axis gave me a taste of really good turntable performance and is what made me want a Sondek...
Click to expand...

I can relate!!
:scratch2:

Speaking of the motor power supply, that's the one area of an Axis to give problems...mine never did, but I bought a parts unit a couple of years ago and still haven't been able to get it to make the motor run properly....
Click to expand...

Thanks to the internet I immediately became aware of this design flaw when I took possession of this Axis. As a precaution I always unplug the power cable when it's not in use, and so far there's been no problems - and I plan to keep it that way!

Agreed also that you need to improve the isolation, I used some rubberised carpet underlay which worked quite well (and still used today with the LP12).
Click to expand...

It seems that the Axis' greatest cost-cutting compromise was in its plinth. I have gotten a HUGE performance improvement by placing a wooden board on top of four racquetballs sliced in half, and then placing four more racquetball halves on top of the board, and then, finally, I placed the Linn onto the very top layer of racquetball halves. Feedback has been reduced to pretty much zero, soundstage and imaging has considerably opened up and deepened, treble is clearer, tracking is better, and most surprisingly, there seems to be a significant reduction in surface noise. This $3.00 tweak has elevated the Axis' performance to a much higher level. Fantastic.
 
Last edited:
Thorens TD-160 was slightly better or equal to the Linn Axis. Linn LP-12 was better but also more expensive. The new less expensive version of the LP-12 with the Pro-Ject tonearm is worth checking out.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Thorens TD-160 was slightly better or equal to the Linn Axis. Linn LP-12 was better but also more expensive. The new less expensive version of the LP-12 with the Pro-Ject tonearm is worth checking out.
Click to expand...

I've only recently sold a very nice TD160 to a friend wanting to get back into vinyl.
I'd be very hard pushed to choose between them from a Sound Quality perspective, but the Axis wins on looks and ease of use - Obviously in the eye of the beholder etc.

Cheers
Dave
 
KentTeffeteller said:
Thorens TD-160 was slightly better or equal to the Linn Axis. Linn LP-12 was better but also more expensive. The new less expensive version of the LP-12 with the Pro-Ject tonearm is worth checking out.
Click to expand...

Fair call.

IIRC my brother just mounted an Ortofon MC-30 on his Linn Basik Plus arm. A short telephone conversation said positive results.

Don't hold your breath for a review here though. He's been lurking for over 3 years! :smoke:
 
DaveyW said:
I've only recently sold a very nice TD160 to a friend wanting to get back into vinyl.
I'd be very hard pushed to choose between them from a Sound Quality perspective, but the Axis wins on looks and ease of use - Obviously in the eye of the beholder etc.

Cheers
Dave
Click to expand...

What about 45rpm on the ease of use aspect Dave?
 
RickB said:
Axis wins there....just hold down the power button and it switches into 45RPM...no belt massaging necessary...
Click to expand...

You got it!

I recall when Linn released the Axis it was in response to the then growing challenge to vinyl of CD.
They tried to offer an "out of the box" solution to keep the flame alive.
Electronic 45/33 speed control was one of the features to deliver this ease of use, plus no suspension to set up.

Cheers
Dave
 
A Linn Axis was my main turntable for about 8 years. I don't hold it in very high regard. I felt its power supply/motor was rather weak, the arm so-so, and in general the build quality fairly mediocre. It didn't sound 'bad' by any means but I also don't think it sounded that exceptional. I replaced it with a Systemdek IIX and then eventually my much better quality (more expensive) VPI Classic, both of which I thought were superior. I'd have replaced it with something like the Clearaudio Concept in a heartbeat.
 
JohnVF said:
A Linn Axis was my main turntable for about 8 years. I don't hold it in very high regard. I felt its power supply/motor was rather weak, the arm so-so, and in general the build quality fairly mediocre. It didn't sound 'bad' by any means but I also don't think it sounded that exceptional. I replaced it with a Systemdek IIX and then eventually my much better quality (more expensive) VPI Classic, both of which I thought were superior. I'd have replaced it with something like the Clearaudio Concept in a heartbeat.
Click to expand...

I agree that it is on the 'delicate' side, and it's obvious that corners were cut to maintain the price point. The other tables you're comparing it to also cost well over $1000 today.
 
beatcomber said:
I agree that it is on the 'delicate' side, and it's obvious that corners were cut to maintain the price point. The other tables you're comparing it to also cost well over $1000 today.
Click to expand...

The Systemdek IIX I got for the same price as the Linn. Around $300/$400. I feel they were roughly equivalent, and I think the Marantz TT-15s1 fills the approximate niche that the Axis did when it came out. The Linn is a good table for what it sells for but I think there are better even at that price. I preferred even my Mitsubishi LT-20 linear tracker to it, and it was significantly less expensive. Much less susceptible to bounce, too. The Axis was not really a suspended table but certainly picked up vibration like one. It was about the most lightly built turntable I've ever used. It sounded decent, though, I can't say it didn't. But it was not reliable, and the lack of torque on that tiny motor really resulted in about the laziest presentation of dynamics I've heard from one of my turntables. Everything was kind of smoothed over and 'musical' and that is just not my thing in turntable playback.
 
Last edited:
JohnVF said:
But it was not reliable, and the lack of torque on that tiny motor really resulted in about the laziest presentation of dynamics I've heard from one of my turntables. Everything was kind of smoothed over and 'musical' and that is just not my thing in turntable playback.
Click to expand...

You must love Duals!
 
JohnVF said:
Empires, VPIs, Lencos....:) I discovered long after the Axis that I like torque and big heavy platters.
Click to expand...

I can't argue against their greatness! I also have a Dual 1019 that really rocks out like a mutha.

Back to the Linn...

In case anyone's curious, this is what I've done to control feedback vibrations. Best $5 tweak ever!

Linn_iso.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom