ssiltanen@cc.helsinki.fi (06/29/90)
> > Well, if you're still reading this, (or even if you're not) I'd appreciate > your comments/criticisms on my observations about noise and distortion, > comments on the Lynn Basik, and possible alternative decks in the price > range. > > thanks very much > david n stivers stiv@rice.edu I just bought a Linn Basik with Akito-arm and Goldring 1022 cartridge. Before that I had a horrible old Pioneer PL100, and the difference was unbelievable. I even heard a new instrument on one of my favorite records. The Basik is also clearly better than my Hitachi-CD, which I gave to my father with great pleasure (and changed all my CDs to LPs). So, what I have to say is that I'm very pleased with my Basik and I'm sure it's the best deck in its price range. Samuli Siltanen Helsinki University of Technology *CD sucks!!* :) samu@otax.tky.hut.fi BTW, how much costs a Mark Levinson ML27 in USA?
mico@trzdor5.ICO.OLIVETTI.COM (Michele Costabile) (07/09/90)
I had a cheap Thorens and when I heard my first CD player (it was
a present I did not buy it) it was really an improvement. I went
at a friend's place to let him hear the new sound and heard the
sound of his sondek. That poor little Sony was in tears when we
came back. Things have changed since then and now CD players in
the high end are not so easily outclassed but Linn Sondeks still
sound as good as they always did. The Sondek is a beautifully
built machine, and can be upgraded to the most recent standards.
After visiting that friend, my girl and I were positive about
getting a Linn ASAP. We got one the very next saturday and the
dealer installed it for us: it was a Sondek with Rega RB300 arm
(the arm of the planar 3). I kept my old cartridge because I did
not want to spend too much money in a single shot.
from appliance megastore sound to hi end with the same cartridge.
More precisely from the "between the speakers" class to the
"behind the wall" class. One can hear when it is in a different
class without any comparison, just like you feel a difference
driving a motorcycle: a 500 might be the fastest in its class or
it might not, but it is not definitely a 250 and you perceive
that immediately.
Linn says that the play in the platter spindle is of the order of
the size of grooves, while the arm for example is at least 6-7
orders of magitude bigger, this is why you have a more refined
sound and imaging from an accurately machined spindle. You get
tight bass from the tuning of the suspension and a clear midrange
from the arm. The play in the arm bearings adds a sound similar
to the sound you hear from it when you shut off the amp, in par-
ticular it is level dependent, that is when the loudness rises,
you get that fuzz in the treble and midrange the absence of which
is easily recognized in the horns when you upgrade.
All of the above are a summary of the opinions that I have been
refining in the last years and are limited by the amount of money
one can spend (you have a clear idea of an audio component after
a month and an idea of the class in which it belongs as soon as
you hear it). As the above are opinions I will factor all the
"In my opinion" here.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A USED LINN
- Check the level of upgrade: one upgrade was called Nirvana and
another Walhalla (two versions of
paradise). The most important is the oscillator that drives
the motor on that big board you should
see under the bottom cover.
- Have it properly installed and tuned: you will have to disman-
tle it to bring it home, when you put it
together tune it.
You will have the best possible bass when the suspension is
level, oscillates freely and "breathes"
a little while the record is playing. A number 8 spanner, a
little experience 20 minutes and it will
be set up, it will also stay set up for a long time, particu-
larly the latest models.
- Check that the arm bearings show no sign of play and move
smoothly.
- The Sondek should come with extensive instructions and Linn
philosopy.
- Buy a table or a wall bracket properly built (light and rigid
with spikes), I heard the difference
when it was not on its table and it is so bad when you know it
could sound better.
And then, sit back and enjoy!!
Michele
Costabile