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Repair Linn turntable vs buying a different one

Dear turntable experts:

I would very much like you opinion and recommendation if I should go ahead with repair  my old Linn LP12  turntable system which has Karma cartridge and Ittok tone arm. If the repair job include replacing with Krystal cartridge and Akito tone arm plus Linn cable and other misc parts, the  cost of parts is about $6000 plus labor, with estimated cost of about &7000 total. Would there be advantage of proceeding to do the repair of the Linn turntable system vs. buy some other turntable at equivalent of $7000? Thank you very much.


moses189
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,404 posts
 
Golly, $7k is a lot to spend on a used LP12. What is wrong with it? You can replace a busted Valhalla board with a new DC motor kit for a few hundred bucks. Unless the Ittok is worn out, keep it and add an AT Art9...
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,393 posts
 
Where does the $6K to 7K price come from? I agree that’s a lot for an upgrade.
Is there a problem, or are you looking for a total refurbish plus upgrades?

If you like the Linn LP12 sound (I do), it’s worth getting an estimate. Many Linn repair techs can upgrade to a used tonearm or power supply.

chayro
2,925 posts
 
If you like your linn, all I would do is replace the cartridge and get a new set of springs and get the table up and running.  After that you can research the newer upgrades and decide what you want to do, if anything.  Those old Linn/Ittok combos were very good when properly set up and, IMO there's no need to rush into a bunch of costly upgrades at this point.  
bpoletti
1,525 posts
 
For $7k, one can get a VPI Prime Signature.  There is NOTHING that can be done to a Linn table to get it anywhere close to a Prime Signature.
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