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Installing the Linn Ekos 2 Tonearm and Kore Subchassis
Since my last major installation, the world has turned completely upside down. I’ve been in coronavirus lockdown since mid-March, working from home and only going outside to jog and buy groceries. Scary as it’s been, it certainly hasn’t dampened my enthusiasm for my LP12 Modification Frenzy or for listening to music in general. Indeed, I’m…
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LP12MF Listening Test: Dynavector XX-2 mkII Cartridge
In the first installment of the LP12 Modification Frenzy in the Coronavirus Era, I install a Dynavector XX-2 mkII moving coil cartridge. You can read about the installation process for the XX-2, and check out my listening methodology. Full listening impressions on the XX-2 are below; digestible, numerical summaries of all my listening tests are…
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LP12MF: Installing the Dynavector XX-2 mkII Cartridge
This is an upgrade I’ve really been looking forward to. It shouldn’t be a subtle change. The move from a decent moving magnet cartridge to a pretty fancy moving coil should make a big difference. And I’ve always wanted to try a Dynavector cart in particular, especially since I have a Dynavector phono preamp with…
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LP12MF Listening Test: SSP12 Inner Platter
Here I evaluate the effects of Edmund Chan’s SSP12 inner platter, a cheap and easy upgrade for the LP12. This test is part of my LP12 Modification Frenzy, for which you can see a Summary of Effects. You can also check out my testing methodology. tl;dr Before beginning this test, I was feeling pretty frustrated.…
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LP12MF Listening Test: Linn Lingo 4 Power Supply
In what is no doubt my most frustrating test to date, here I review the Linn Lingo 4 power supply — whose noisy motor may need to be replaced, or which may eventually quiet down. You can read more about the motor issue in my post “Installing the Linn Lingo 4; or, Jankiness Reigns.” This…
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LP12MF: Installing the Linn Lingo 4
It’s been a pretty exciting few weeks over here, what with the arrival of the Audio Desk ultrasonic cleaner and all. I’m still slowly making my way through my pile of not-yet-ultrasonic vinyl — I’ve washed a little over a hundred records now — and continue to have some pretty startling Oh-THAT’S-how-this-record-is-supposed-to-sound moments. But I missed…
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LP12MF Listening Test: Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner Pro Ultrasonic
In this, my most ambitious Listening Test to date, I test whether the Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner Pro ultrasonic cleaner makes records sound better. If you’re curious about how and why I bought the Audio Desk, and what exactly my cleaning system is, please check out my post “Washing Records with the Audio Desk Vinyl…
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LP12MF Listening Test: Tiger Paw Khan Top Plate
A few weeks ago, I swapped out the stock stainless steel top plate from my Linn LP12 and installed an aluminum Tiger Paw Khan in its place. You can read about the installation process for the Khan, and check out my listening methodology. Full listening impressions on the Khan-modified LP12 are below; digestible, numerical summaries…
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LP12MF: Installing the Tiger Paw Khan Top Plate
Well, I maybe wasn’t quite as excited about this as I was about installing the Mober subchassis — this was my second major bit of hifi DIY (say it out loud), so some the novelty had worn off. But still, I was pretty excited. This is a pretty fundamental upgrade and there were lots and…
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LP12MF Listening Test: Mober Subchassis
Below you’ll find all my listening notes for my first “modification”: the replacement of the pressed steel Cirkus subchassis + laminated armboard with the machined aluminum Mober one-piece armboard/subchassis. You can read about the installation process of the Mober. You can read all about the “pre-modification” Base setup. You can read about my listening methodology…
