Category: Turntable

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Phono cartridges

As you may know I do this on my spare time and for the last few weeks I’ve been studying for a certification exam related to my main business line of work so I have not had much time to post on the blog.

Phono cartridges come in various flavors, moving magnet, moving iron, moving coil, and optical (yes, optical!!!). The most common ones are the first two types since most brands and models are relatively cheap but make no mistake, some of them are stellar performers. For example, the Audio Technica AT95E, has been regarded as a ‘giant killer’ since its performance and musicality is way over its relatively low cost (aprox. USD $75), but still has its limitations. As the name says, it is a moving magnet attached to a cantilever with a precious stone stylus, and the moving magnet induces a voltage into the coils which is then sent to a signal amplifying device when the stylus traverses the grooves of a vinyl LP. Below is a diagram of a moving magnet cartridge:

The most expensive ones are known as moving coils, which as the name implies, are coils that move as the stylus traverses the grooves on the vinyl LP. In this case the magnet is fixed and the low mass of the coils allow the stylus to traverse the grooves with more precision. The only drawback is that the signal generated by the moving coils is much lower than that of a moving magnet cartridge and requires a special moving coil phono stage. Below is a diagram of a moving coil cartridge:

One advantage of moving magnets/moving iron cartridges is that the stylus can be easily replaced if damaged. This is not the case of moving coils, they need to be scrapped, traded-in, or sent back to the factory or 3rd party for a stylus/cantilever replacement or a full rebuild job, which I fully recommend since moving coil cartridges can last for many years before requiring service due to their exotic stylus profiles which tend to last a lot longer than the ones used in less expensive moving magnet cartridges.

The following picture is of two different moving coil cartridges (Linn Arkiv) which were sent a few weeks ago to a certified moving coil cartridge rebuilder. The one on the left is is my personal moving coil cartridge which only requires a replacement stylus, but since it is an almost 30 year old cartridge I requested a full rebuild service, and the one in the right is from a customer which by accident tore off the cantilever and stylus while cleaning his turntable, and is also requiring a full rebuild. For what is worth a full rebuild involves replacing the stylus/cantilever, damping material, coil rewind, and full tuning of the suspension assembly.

When these cartridges come back they will be as good as new or even better since stylus profiles, cantilever alloys and damping materials have evolved since these were manufactured back in the early 90’s, so I’m eagerly waiting for their return to install mine and have a very long music listening session!!!

Enjoy!

Vic

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Partners

About two years ago one of my business partners, Audiovisionaries, was interviewed by one of the local online newspapers. By pure coincidence I was visiting their store and I was chosen for a cameo!

Below are some pics taken while documenting the video:

The full interview video with my cameo:

Enjoy!

Vic

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Repair of Technics SL1300-MkII

A few weeks ago a customer requested me to repair one of his turntables, a Technics SL1300-MkII direct drive turntable:

This turntable is a variant of the famous Technics SL1200-MkII turntable but with a tonearm auto-return and auto-mute mechanism. This one had a faulty tonearm auto-return mechanism, a very common defect for this 35+ year old turntable model (issue is also present in all models with auto-return mechanism). The issue was a faulty plastic part that is not made anymore by Technics, but finally ended up sourcing it it from a 3D printing company in Europe.

The faulty part:

Replacement part after installing bushing:

New replacement part installed in tonearm auto-return mechanism:

New replacement part installed in tonearm auto-return mechanism:

Video of the final test:

Success!

Vic

 

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Options

Most of my work is around setup and fine-tuning of Linn Sondek LP12 turntables, including the installation of the full suite of upgrades made by Linn. In fact, I own a Linn LP12 turntable with all Linn components (Ittok LVII tonearm, Arkiv MC cartridge, Cirkus subchassis/bearing, and a Lingo 2 power supply.

A while ago I did own a non-Linn subchassis (Greenstreet) which I consider provides an excellent price/performance value and significantly raised the performance level of my LP12 for a relative small investment at that time, and surprisingly maintained its ‘Linn sound’ signature. Some customers were aware of this and have come to me looking for advise regarding alternative upgrades (non-Linn) since they have read much about then in internet forums. In some cases I have made clear my point of view stating that if you like the Linn sound you should stay on Linn’s upgrade path, but there may be other options which may provide a satisfying musical enjoyment experience without a significant investment, and maintain the characteristic ‘Linn sound’.

As such we are pleased to announce that we have been appointed as dealer/representative for Puerto Rico of the Dynavector line of moving coil cartridges, and StackAudio line of Linn LP12 upgrades.

Dynavector was founded in Japan back in 1975 and is highly regarded as a manufacturer of one of the finest high-performance moving coil phono cartridges in the world.

StackAudio manufactures a series of affordable Linn LP12 upgrades which are focused on the source (the turntable). Everything flows from the source, and obtaining a pure clean signal is paramount to realizing the finest musical experience from any system.

These brands are excellent options for Linn LP12 owners who want to follow an alternative upgrade path for their Linn LP12 turntable, at a very reasonable cost.

Vic

 

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Tonearms

Tonearms are one of the most distinctive items of a turntable. Designs vary from S-shaped, J-shaped, straight, knife-edged bearings, race-ball bearings, gymbal, unipivot, linear tracking, and so on. Its most important function is to ensure that the phono cartridge properly tracks the record grooves and allow it to convert this mechanical energy into a very low electrical signal without adding or subtracting any energy captured by the phono cartridge. To ensure this bearing play should be nil or none and the cartridge compliance specs should be properly matched to the tonearm’s total mass.

Below is a nice example of a Naim Aro unipivot tonearm I recently removed from a Linn turntable as requested by its owner.

This tonearm was designed and built more than 30 years ago and it is still in excellent shape. A very rare example since not so many were built and the first one I’ve personally worked with.

Vic

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Power supplies

Every turntable has one, some very simple, others very complex designs, but without one a turntable won’t even start. This 1990 (28 year old) Linn Lingo 1 power supply is suffering from speed issues at 45 rpm, normal for a power supply its age. Replacing aged parts with more modern ones, adjust voltages, and it will be back in business and as good as new.

Vic

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Tonight’s fun!!!

Hi,

Just finished setting up this beautiful new Linn Majik LP12 with walnut plinth, Project 9CC tonearm, and Linn Addikt moving magnet cartridge. Perfect bounce and on-the-spot speed.

Customer will be very happy!!!

Vic

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Event updates!

Hi,

Two nights in a row the local Linn dealer, Audiovisionaries, and Linn Products presented the latest and greatest offerings from Linn Products as part of the LP12 45th Birthday party events around the world. Customers were greeted with courtesy food, drinks, and even a cake resembling an LP12!

Customers were delighted with a full-fledged Klimax LP12/Klimax DSM/Akudorik audio system using Linn’s Exakt technology. Three demonstration sessions were held instead of the original two due to a larger than expected assistance. In the end it was a blast of music listening sessions way past midnight.

The second night event was held at Poliform in Puerta de Tierra, where we were delighted to listen two different systems, a Klimax DSM with a pair of Akubarik Exakt Isobarik speakers, and a Akurate DSM with a pair of Series 530 Exakt Isobarik speakers.

Listening to Mike O’Rourke, Linn Sales Manager, narrating Pink Floyd’s history while listening to several tracks from the Syd Barret era, the realization that there is some Beatles music played at very low levels at the end of ‘Eclipse’ due to the reuse of recording tapes in Abbey Road Studios, Roger Waters internal struggles while writing music for ‘The Wall’, his departure from the group after recording ‘The Final Cut’, and up to their last recording ‘The Endless River’ was a surrealistic musical experience enjoyed by everyone.

Kudos to Audiovisionaries and Linn Products for both events!

Vic

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Busy week ahead

Hi!

Busy week ahead due to two Linn events hosted by our business partner, Audiovisionaries, LLC and Linn itself!!! Linn’s 45th Birthday Party on July 17, 2018 at #AudiovisionariesPR

and the Linn Lounge featuring Pink Floyd music on July 18, 2018 at Poliform in Old San Juan!!!

You can book reservations at:

https://www.linn.co.uk/events

Vic