MM to MC - Stunned - Please explain the noise difference...

@vintageadict 

My original choice was going to be the 2M Black to go into my Pro-Ject Pro.  I bid on an older LP12 (ebay auction) that came with a large number of new parts - A project in a box that someone never got around to.  It had the Linn Linto MC Phono Pre in the box that was very highly reviewed and expensive 20 years ago, so I decided to go with the MC X30 (similar cost to the Black) and bite the bullet for the Ittok.

Those Lp12’s have had my eye for a while. I have refurbed and upgraded a number of older Thorens to about as high a level as they can go. You can sink a ton into those Linn’s.  Sounds like you got a killer deal as those upgrades aren’t cheap.  I haven’t decided to jump down that rabbit hole but maybe one day. 

I have a Modwright PH 9.0x phono stage so the next move up for me in the vinyl chain is the TT. I just have a soft spot for the Thorens though. They have been great performers. 

@vintageadict 

The LP12 auction win was a fluke.  The guy listed it as an older LP12 and many new parts but did not list all of the stuff in the box.  I really looked in detail at the photos in the auction and it had a new Linn motor, new Linn tonearm cable, New Songbird HO MC cartridge, new (beautiful) plinth, the Linto phono stage, and the old Shure V15 type V.  I sold the Sumiko Songbird and was going to sell the Linto and essentially get back what I paid for the bundle.  However - if you look at it, I still went down the rabbit hole. 

There is the old audiophile adage that turntable components should each cost a similar amount. In soft dollars - the table was 1200, the new cart was 800, the newish tonearm was 1200, and the Linto original value was 1500.  I am still in it for 2.4k. Down the hole we go.  Fortunately got 600 for the Songbird and the Linto came in the box.  If you add up all of the parts that were in the box it would have been another grand.

@maam522a 

Damn, now you got me looking at Linn TT’s and new cartridges! I told myself I was done looking at upgrades for a while. Lol!

Sounds like you got a killer deal. Enjoy the 🎶!

@vintageadict 

If you are go down the Linn path, My suggestion is to find one with a decent Ittok arm and at least a re-capped Valhalla power supply.  The Basik arm is not good enough for more expensive cartridges.