2. analog
  3. 1080279531

Origin DC Motor in LP12: Marketing or reality?

I have asked this before and gotten NO (zero, nada, zilch, bupkis, null...) response. From what I can tell, there is 10 times (100x?) the amount of promotional material as there is personal experience of this upgrade on the internet. I am starting to wonder if they have ever sold any.

My TT is a Linn LP12, with Linn Basik Plus arm and Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MkII cartridge, and it is fitted with the Valhalla board. I have a great isolation stand that gives me incredibly musical and natural sound and I love this in my system. I do not want to screw up the sound, but I'm willing to try to improve it without spending big bucks. I can afford about $400-600 for a large upgrade at a time, once or twice a year.

Everyone I know who has added a motor drive (Lingo, Walker, Clearaudio, VPI) reports fantastic results, and I have heard it myself on many of those systems.

I have considered, on and off, trying to upgrade with the Origin Live DC Motor Drive, but I can only find about 2-3 professional reviews, and no individual (amateur) critiques, just comments from people who have read about but haven't actually installed one.

Have any of you actually tried this upgrade? Would I get a great improvement over the Valhalla board? How does it compare to a Lingo? What are the pros and the cons?

p.s. Does anyone else notice that there are certain products that are very heavily promoted in this and other sites (classified and dealer), but rarely see comments about someone who bought the product?
Ag insider logo xs@2xpbowne
Ag insider logo xs@2x
pbowne OP
75 posts
 
Thanks for the response...I really appreciate the information.

I am mainly concerned with two issues. I probably should have stated them up-front. And my concern is more in how it would affect my listening experience.

1. Will there be a gain or loss of dynamics in going from the Valhalla board to the Origin DC? I've read reports that the Origin DC doesn't have quite the same dynamics as a Lingo or an Armageddon, but I'm mainly interested to see if there will be an improvement over the Valhalla.

2. Is there a problem with speed fluctuations? I've read that a DC motor is dependant on the voltage for accuracy, so if my voltage fluctuates so will the motor speed. Is this a problem? Is it negligable?
lp_guy
9 posts
 
I own an Armageddon on my Linn. Big improvement over the Valhalla. Speed is very constant.

I have not heard the OL but understand that since it is DC and the platter is not high mass that you will hear the speed fluctuations as variations in the pitch of your music.

I'd skip a year on the upgrade cycle, save up the money for a Walker, VPI, or Armageddon. With Armageddon you can't get 45 rpm without a pulley change on the table.

There is great discussion/information about Linns on http://www.extremeaudio.com and Analogue Addicts at http://www.n.mackie.btinternet.co.uk/linn/tlp12faq.html
dcaudio
86 posts
 
I just had one installed on my Oracle Delphi turntable. I will pick it up tomorrow. The person that installed it on the Oracle expressed that he felt it was low in torque compared to other original motors on Mapleknoll and Sota. I purchased mine from a magazine reviewer in the US with the heavy power supply ($300 option). He never got around to try it. There is no flywheel what so ever. My sense it can handle light platter and not heavy ones. Say up to 10 pounds. Origin Live told me that I may need to help the platter to get rotation started with my hand. If this turns out to be true, this is unacceptable. I was not thinking that my hand would be a crank for the turntable start procedure. I will be happy to keep you posted.
dcaudio
86 posts
 
So now I have the turntable. Running nicely. A little more noisy than the original Oracle motor. However, don't hear it when playing a record.
Much more torque. The platter does not slow down at all when you use a recod brush.
Seems completely stable speed.
I like it so far.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
pbowne OP
75 posts
 
DCAudio...what do you hear as a result of the new motor? Are the dynamics changed? How is the soundstaging? Low/high ends? Is the music more 'musical'?
More to discover