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Upgrade from my Technics SL-1210M5G to a Linn Sondek?

marantzfan

marantzfan

...
I am considering selling my Technics SL-1210 M5G to buy a Linn Sondek LP-12.

Some things to consider:
- The Technics is only a year old.
- The Linn is from 1977 but has had the Valhalla mod and has a Sumiko tonearm. Supposedly it hasn't been used in about 15 years.
- My current cart is a Benz-Micro Silver.

What would you guys do?
 
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I'd keep them both until I had an opportunity to compare them side by side in my own system, with my own ears.

Everybody here is going to have an opinion that is only theirs...but these two tables should compliment each other well if you could maybe sell something else to finance the move.

I'd do it, but I have two Sl-1210s :) at my disposal.
 
Well, I'm pretty much down to the bare essentials now so what you see in my signature is pretty much all I have. I would pretty much have to choose one table over the other. :tears:
 
I'm partial to the LP 12. I sold Oracles, Systemdeks, Thorens, Rega and owned Empire, Lenco, Goldmund, Systemdek IV, Technics SL 1700...

It took me 20 years to track down an LP-12 at a fair price. This is one deck I will never, ever part with. That is the one deck I always wanted to have in the store back in the days. Even back then I could never offer the customer something as emotionally involving as a Linn.

It has to be well set-up and finely tuned (which most Linns aren't) to show its true potential.

The bonus is that all parts can be replaced/upgraded if you need/want.

There are few good set-up guys in North America. That's the problem. Look into the Linn and Naim audio forums for more information if you're really serious about an LP-12.
 
Is there any way to swing keeping the 1210 while getting the Linn up and working? I can't imagine you'd be terribly unhappy with either, as long as the Linn is in good condition. They're just very different beasts, both with huge fan-bases.
 
Linns can be fiddly to set up...and they don't like being moved much once set up..the linn 'bounce' is something that can go out of tune according to some owners...and even things like tonearm cable dressing can be critical to its sound...
BUT...that's the nature of the beast...set it up well..especially the suspension and you will find a very significant difference in presentation between your technics and linn...in fact i think that there is a marked difference between the way music is portrayed between a 3 point suspended turntable and a fixed plinth design...i find 3 point suspended tend to excel on subtle details when the suspension is working correctly..and the tonearm and cartridge is less critical to the final sound than if that same arm and cartridge were used on a fixed plinth deck...but that's just an observation from my limited experiences of using both types..

personally i'd try to keep both decks and live with the m for a few months to see exactly how they sound in relation to each other...then if you must sell one...let your ears decide..
 
I'd invest in modding the knickers off the Technics- bearing, PSU, Isnoe footers, copper platter mat, etc.

Hunt down an SME IV or V as well.

Why?

I like the way the 1200 operates. I love the VTA on the fly, the instant start, and immediate stop of the platter, the que light that pops up, the resilience to foot-fall, instantaneous 33/45 switching.

That said, a Linn is perhaps the nicest of the 3-point suspension design. And some argue the magic is especially in the fine tonearm design.

Would you mind the extra effort and time in setting up the Linn, and subsequent maintenance?

Are your floors impervious to foot-falls?

The Linn can reward you with glorious sound but it is, compared to the Technics, hit maintenance.
 
Congrats!

It's a shame you can't keep both. I know I couldn't part with either if they were mine.

If you can get that Linn dialed in, I feel it's going to be a better sounding table than your stock M5G. The M5G would need modding to compete.
 
thedelihaus said:
Congrats!

It's a shame you can't keep both. I know I couldn't part with either if they were mine.

If you can get that Linn dialed in, I feel it's going to be a better sounding table than your stock M5G. The M5G would need modding to compete.
Click to expand...

Paul, what do you know about this Sumiko tonearm? Is it any good?
 
Ok. I went with the Linn; but I'm selling the Technics to a close friend so it won't be far away.

Once I got the Linn setup and running, it wasn't even close imho. :no:
 
The 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800 have dual suspensions including and correct me if I'm wrong a spring suspension system. I think there's a lot of potential to modding these models.
 
Not really surprised either. Enjoy your table- I've always wanted one. I had a Linn Axis for nearly 10 years as it was as close as my budget would have allowed me to get at the time. Then I got a Systemdek as I'd heard it was close- but I secretly knew it wasn't the same, every time I listened to it.
 
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