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Recommend a Tonearm (new) upgrade from Basik LVX on Linn LP12 Valhala circa 1982

Old Guy8

Old Guy8

Cliff & Cleo
Subscriber
I have a Linn LP12 from 1982-3. With Valhala power supply. Recapped along the way.. Came with Basik LVX arm.
The que damping doesn't work. And set screw for access has damaged socket. So have not attempted to remove set screw, to replenish silicone fluid. Other than this issue, arm is functional. I upgraded the tonearm cable and counterweight.
It was a just over $1k table in 2015, with damaged Grado cart.

Finally getting to the point:

What would be the preferable NEW tonearm upgrade choices? Budget maybe under $1500.

Linn arms are 211mm mounting distance. Basik LVX is 229mm length.

I looked at Origin Live site. Thier Silver model is £720 ($980). Can be special ordered in Linn length, for £250 extra. Or, buy new armboard to fit Origin arms for £27.
IMO, a big pita with this Silver arm is VTA adjustment is done from underneath! Not until thier Endeavor arm £1440 ($1980) do they offer side VTA adjustment.

Removable headshell arms seem to be out of vogue. Although to me would be handy. I realize one piece arms likely improve SQ.

New Linn Akito tonearm lists starting at $2400. Out of budget.

Thanks for reading.
OG



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How about an Audiomods Series VI arm?

http://www.audiomods.co.uk

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Athanasios
 
Any-all of the Audioquest Arms spec out at 211mm S-P.
From PT-6-7-8 (all the same Arm) to the PT-9. All were Straight armtubes, permanently affixed Headshell, Damping Trough,

VTA is adjusted manually at the Mounting Collar-Base. There is a seller in UK that makes a VTA on the fly for the Jelco Arms which will also work for these Arms as well.
 
Roksan Nima? Said to go well with a LP12.

Or Audionote? You'd have to budget for a new armboard.

IIRC the newest ones are improved on the old.
 
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$1495 US for the latest series VI. they also have the ability to make it fir the arm location for Linn tables.

I have been contemplating one myself , or the new Supatrac company's Blackbird arm.

http://www.supasound.com

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Athanasios
 
Old Guy8 said:
I have a Linn LP12 from 1982-3. With Valhala power supply. Recapped along the way.. Came with Basik LVX arm.
The que damping doesn't work. And set screw for access has damaged socket. So have not attempted to remove set screw, to replenish silicone fluid. Other than this issue, arm is functional. I upgraded the tonearm cable and counterweight.
It was a just over $1k table in 2015, with damaged Grado cart.

Finally getting to the point:
What would be the preferable NEW tonearm upgrade choices? Budget maybe under $1500.

Linn arms are 211mm mounting distance. Basik LVX is 229mm length.

I looked at Origin Live site. Thier Silver model is £720 ($980). Can be special ordered in Linn length, for £250 extra. Or, buy new armboard to fit Origin arms for £27.
IMO, a big pita with this Silver arm is VTA adjustment is done from underneath! Not until thier Endeavor arm £1440 ($1980) do they offer side VTA adjustment.

Removable headshell arms seem to be out of vogue. Although to me would be handy. I realize one piece arms likely improve SQ.

New Linn Akito tonearm lists starting at $2400. Out of budget.

Thanks for reading.
OG



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I cant help noticing that you have what looks like a Grado which needs a light arm but with two huge weights on the headshell making your light arm way too heavy for the Grado so totally wrong compliance match. Not your question but thought I would mention it.
Chris
 
cafe latte said:
I cant help noticing that you have what looks like a Grado which needs a light arm but with two huge weights on the headshell making your light arm way too heavy for the Grado so totally wrong compliance match. Not your question but thought I would mention it.
Chris
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Thanks for comment. Soundsmith kit's aluminum screws. Was trying to eliminate some sibilance. Kit also has nylon screws I could replace with. I'm maybe not best at cart setup. Eyes have tough time seeing stylus on protractor.
 
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KentTeffeteller said:
Keep it all Linn, why not an Ittok?
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I'm unfamiliar with all the new tonearms Linn sells. Akito at $2400, is above my budget. They have a Krane arm used on thier entry Majik TT. Don't know anything about it.

I'm not comfortable with buying used tonearms. Most likely not mounted for my demoing its condition. Bearings condition especially. Like buying a used stylus, IMO. Used arm might not be improvement on what I have. If a dealer had a used Linn arm I could demo, might be ok.
 
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Your local Linn dealer might have a used Linn Majik (rebadged Jelco 250ST) for a reasonable price. I often see them on eBay for not that much money. It's not a particularly amazing tonearm but much better than the Basik LVX (I had one with good bearings and got rid of it ASAP).
 
stratokaster said:
Your local Linn dealer might have a used Linn Majik (rebadged Jelco 250ST) for a reasonable price. I often see them on eBay for not that much money. It's not a particularly amazing tonearm but much better than the Basik LVX (I had one with good bearings and got rid of it ASAP).
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Thanks. Maybe a Linn dealer is a place to start. If they are receptive to selling arms, without installing themselves. Not looking to update the whole table.

Off topic: I have a Pier One display stand, that I made a shelf insert with cutout for LP12 adjustment. Like sliding under car for oil change.
 
I had the LP12 with Valhalla power supply and Basik LVX arm. I too wanted a better sounding deck so I forked out the dough for the Akito arm. That was a big waste of money. Little to no change in SQ. I even had it done by a qualified Linn dealer/expert. Was very disappointed.

What really made the deck sound a hell of a lot better was getting rid of the Valhalla and putting an Origin Live DC drive in. The turntable didn't just sound better, it sounded holy $hit!!!! better. And this was before I had the Akito put on. I got the less expensive Origin Live set up that ran around $600 back around 2015. It will really make your table sing!
I'd look at option 3.

https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/turntable-upgrades-modification/turntable-motor-power-supply/
 
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stratokaster said:
Your local Linn dealer might have a used Linn Majik (rebadged Jelco 250ST) for a reasonable price. I often see them on eBay for not that much money. It's not a particularly amazing tonearm but much better than the Basik LVX (I had one with good bearings and got rid of it ASAP).
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A sensible option. I can recommend a used Majik on your LP-12.
 
As I recall Linn used a modified Project Evo arm on the Majik table. Don't think I ever saw a Jelco.

The following quote is from a 2018 post on Vinyl Engine.

" I am a new Linn LP12 owner with its Majik spec, fitted with a Project 9cc tonearm. I have bought this Lp12 since last year. It serves me well and I have not complain at all."
 
Mister Pig said:
As I recall Linn used a modified Project Evo arm on the Majik table. Don't think I ever saw a Jelco.

The following quote is from a 2018 post on Vinyl Engine.

" I am a new Linn LP12 owner with its Majik spec, fitted with a Project 9cc tonearm. I have bought this Lp12 since last year. It serves me well and I have not complain at all."
Click to expand...

It was briefly made from 2018 until Jelco closed shop in 2020.

C2E90DE2-9B4C-4C66-9563-6E4A3A6517C8.jpeg
 
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