Linn LP12 Upgrades
Linn LP12 Upgrades can be a highly rewarding and cost effective way of increasing the performance of your LP12. You are probably aware of a number of Linn LP12 upgrades on the market – some are more effective than others. Some improve one area of performance to the detriment of another which can lead to controversy – see our article on “what great sound quality truly consists of”. The Linn LP12 upgrades by Origin Live have received universal acclaim for delivering massive improvements un-imagined by most owners.
Stage 1. The very well documented Origin Live replacement platter mat makes an excellent starting point as a Linn LP12 upgrade. Benefits include a deeper and more controlled bass, improved tonality and better separation of instruments / vocals.
Stage 2. To augment the effects of the platter mat add the platter gasket set, this will reduce background noise and surface noise to a new low level thereby allowing previously unheard detail it will also improve the stereo imaging and take the sound away from the speakers, with well recorded records it allows a certain delicacy to vocals that makes you believe you are listening to a person.
Stage 3. Add the cartridge enabler between the cartridge and headshell. This is a 1mm thick wafer of material and is extremely well reviewed. This really builds on what has gone before. The sonic gains of these 3 Linn LP12 upgrades are out of all proportion to the cost.
Stage 4. To tie all your improvements together, improve speed, timing, stability and add easy button control to switch between 33/3 and 45 fit the ubiquitous Origin Live DC motor kit. The documentation on this Linn LP12 upgrade is extensive.
Stage 5. Add an Origin Live Gravity One record weight to the system and be just staggered. Any of these upgrades can be fitted singly and easily removed, if on the other hand you bite the bullet and install all five, you will be guaranteed a big shock as to how good your music can sound. Extensive tests have been carried out using a variety of cartridges and a very wide selection of music, the noted improvements in perceived sound quality just have to heard to be believed.
Stage 6. You will see a number of other Linn LP12 upgrades below. All of which are extremely effective. For example the Turntable Oil and upgrade belt never fail to shock those who try them. It is hard to believe that such minor items can make such significant differences but they do.
DC Motor Kit
There are a number of ways to dramatically improve the performance of virtually any deck – whether you have a Linn Sondek LP12, vpi, thorens or rega. The LP12 is probably the world’s most popular deck and as such is capable of producing outstanding results given a little extra care and attention. There are a number of excellent upgrades available. Our motor kit makes a great start to increase the performance of your turntable.
Tonearm
If your current tonearm is a Linn Ekos, Ittock, Akito, Basic, SMEV, Naim Arrow, Graham etc – it is well worth upgrading to one of our own arms to improve performance very significantly. We offer a variety of arms depending on your budget. It is worth mentioning that although standard Rega arms do not work particularly well on the Linn, the case for Origin Live modified arms or the Silver arm series is an entirely different story. – we supply new predrilled arm boards so that this can be easily carried out.
Belt Upgrade
These belts contain a very special rubber not found in normal belts. The performance increase over all conventional flat belts is dramatic due to increased grip and reduced transmission of motor vibration.
Platter Mat
This platter mat is deservedly popular and works on all decks (even those with Acrylic platters) to give more warmth, depth, transparency and accurate tonal balance.
Turntable Oil
After researching countless oils on the market we stumbled across this amazing oil that betters everything we are aware of on the market.
Cartridge Enabler
The “Cartridge Enabler” “enables” your cartridge to operate much more effectively. Consisting of a thin material which you fit between the cartridge and headshell, this simple device is one of the most cost effective upgrades you will come across. You will immediately notice improved bass fullness with added textures. Voices especially take on a tangible quality which sounds more natural and realistic.
Platter Gasket Set
This is a wonderfull upgrade fopr the LP12 and consists of 2 gaskets made of the same material as the platter mat. To install, simply remove the LP12 Platter and place the gasket ring on the sub-platter as shown in photo and put the other gasket disc over the to of the sub-platter (this acts as a support surface for the platter mat. Lastly raise your tonearm by 1mm to compensate for the slight height increase of your platter.
Record Weight
Many clamps flatten records successfully but have very mixed results on sound quality. As a generalization, most tend to enhance and pump up the bass whilst dulling down the upper mid-band. There is also a perceived softening of dynamics (even in the bass), a slowing down of the sound and the decay of notes suffers.
Cartridge
Cartridges are a sure fire way of upgrading your deck but bear in mind that the tonearm is more important. We offer and recommend a large range of cartridges along with performance ratings.
Phono Stage
The phono stage can easily make or break a vinyl based system. This stage of amplification is absolutely crucial – more so than the pre-amp or amplifier stage – if you have any doubts about this we urge you to get a demonstration of something like the gram phono stages.