Linn Exstatik & New Radikal

[Dan Steel]

How many changes did the Lingo have and most people said they couldn’t find much or hear any different in any of them. Could the Radikal go the same way and it’s a marketing ploy from Linn to take the shine off the Solstice pan stand.

Of course that is definitely a possibility Jim. For me that is why I have to go and objectively listen to the standard Klimax Radikal and deck and then compare that with the 'upgraded' Klimax Radikal and deck. Of course Peter is well set up to do exactly that. As ever its what our own ears can discern. Will the upgraded Klimax Radikal and deck be better. I honestly don't know but I intend to find out. As they say watch this space ....... . By the way, who are 'they' ???????

They are everywhere Adam

[Wenge1]

How many changes did the Lingo have and most people said they couldn’t find much or hear any different in any of them. Could the Radikal go the same way and it’s a marketing ploy from Linn to take the shine off the Solstice pan stand.

Of course that is definitely a possibility Jim. For me that is why I have to go and objectively listen to the standard Klimax Radikal and deck and then compare that with the 'upgraded' Klimax Radikal and deck. Of course Peter is well set up to do exactly that. As ever its what our own ears can discern. Will the upgraded Klimax Radikal and deck be better. I honestly don't know but I intend to find out. As they say watch this space ....... . By the way, who are 'they' ???????

They are everywhere Adam

Oh no - I'm not sure ant powder will be very effective against those ................

[DebsE]

How many changes did the Lingo have and most people said they couldn’t find much or hear any different in any of them.

I went from Ligo 1 (shoebox) to Lingo 2 (full size case) and the difference was night and day.

Of course, moving up to a Radikal blew that difference away.

[Dan Steel]

How many changes did the Lingo have and most people said they couldn’t find much or hear any different in any of them.

I went from Ligo 1 (shoebox) to Lingo 2 (full size case) and the difference was night and day.

Of course, moving up to a Radikal blew that difference away.

The Lingo 1 and 2 are essentially the same - they just used a larger case on the Lingo 2. With the Lingo 3 they implemented a new grounding arrangement and another new case, that was it. The Lingo 4 is completely different though and comes with a new AC motor which is speed-controlled.
I had the Lingo 1 and was going to change to a Lingo 2 to bring it in line with the rest of my LK boxes. After listening to it and speaking to my dealer Chris Brooks we both agreed it was a waste of money as there was no difference whatsoever. I stuck with my Lingo 1 and was going to change it for a Lingo 4 but decided on the Akurate Radikal instead. I probably won’t go for the new upgrade on my Akurate Rad if there is an improvement I will go for a new Klimax Radikal.

[DebsE]

The Lingo 1 and 2 are essentially the same - they just used a larger case on the Lingo 2. With the Lingo 3 they implemented a new grounding arrangement and another new case, that was it.

Sorry but that is not accurate.

The very early Lingo 2s were recased Lingo 1s. However later Lingo 2s used circuit boards with surface mount technology that the Lingo 1 lacked.

The Lingo 3 was merely a recased later Lingo 2.

[Coyote Jim]

And the lingo 4 is nicknamed the.
Radikal JR

[Dan Steel]

And the lingo 4 is nicknamed the.
Radikal JR

Very true Jim, i listened to both versions of the Lingo 2 as the surfaced mounted version had replaced the earlier versions of the 2 and my dealer Chris Brookes had just received one. He set up both versions along with the Lingo 1 and we couldn’t hear any difference. Biggest change was the Cirkus.

[Dr_Eddie]

First post in a long time from me. The fact that there is a new K-Radikal out and a Karousel bearing and a shiny new Ekstatic MC flagship cartridge doesn't mean my system now sounds bad. As Catherine Tate used to say " Am I bovvered ?"
Far from it............ listening to my vinyl records only convinces me that asking for more is a bit greedy really.

If your system is not broken, why fix it ?
There is a strong law of diminishing returns once you get to a certain level of vinyl reproduction. How many of these upgrades by Linn just reduce the "hash" that the stainless steel top plate is notorious for. Getting rid of that should have been DW's next priority IMHO.
So......... no, not in the least bit interested here..................

If you had a Bugatti Veyron Mk1 and they brought out a Mk2 , would you have to have it ? One word: Sucker.

[Wenge1]

First post in a long time from me. The fact that there is a new K-Radikal out and a Karousel bearing and a shiny new Ekstatic MC flagship cartridge doesn't mean my system now sounds bad. As Catherine Tate used to say " Am I bovvered ?"
Far from it............ listening to my vinyl records only convinces me that asking for more is a bit greedy really.

If your system is not broken, why fix it ?
There is a strong law of diminishing returns once you get to a certain level of vinyl reproduction. How many of these upgrades by Linn just reduce the "hash" that the stainless steel top plate is notorious for. Getting rid of that should have been DW's next priority IMHO.
So......... no, not in the least bit interested here..................

If you had a Bugatti Veyron Mk1 and they brought out a Mk2 , would you have to have it ? One word: Sucker.

I completely agree about the top plate and that would have been my priority. Since I recently upgraded my Linn Kandid and I'm very happy with the Lyra Atlas and so the Ekstatic MC is not for me. The Radikal 'upgrade' is something that interests me and I will give it a listen to see what difference it makes. The law of diminishing returns starts way before the levels were talking about and of course every upgrade that I have made did in no way diminish the enjoyment I experienced at the previous level. Like in any hobby you pays you money etc. etc.

But I don't think its right to prejudge the Radikal 'upgrade' without having listened to it and infer that anyone who buys it is a sucker again without having listened to it.

[Coyote Jim]

First post in a long time from me. The fact that there is a new K-Radikal out and a Karousel bearing and a shiny new Ekstatic MC flagship cartridge doesn't mean my system now sounds bad. As Catherine Tate used to say " Am I bovvered ?"
Far from it............ listening to my vinyl records only convinces me that asking for more is a bit greedy really.

If your system is not broken, why fix it ?
There is a strong law of diminishing returns once you get to a certain level of vinyl reproduction. How many of these upgrades by Linn just reduce the "hash" that the stainless steel top plate is notorious for. Getting rid of that should have been DW's next priority IMHO.
So......... no, not in the least bit interested here..................

If you had a Bugatti Veyron Mk1 and they brought out a Mk2 , would you have to have it ? One word: Sucker.

I completely agree about the top plate and that would have been my priority. Since I recently upgraded my Linn Kandid and I'm very happy with the Lyra Atlas and so the Ekstatic MC is not for me. The Radikal 'upgrade' is something that interests me and I will give it a listen to see what difference it makes. The law of diminishing returns starts way before the levels were talking about and of course every upgrade that I have made did in no way diminish the enjoyment I experienced at the previous level. Like in any hobby you pays you money etc. etc.

But I don't think its right to prejudge the Radikal 'upgrade' without having listened to it and infer that anyone who buys it is a sucker again without having listened to it.

+1

[Wenge1]

.
Stop Press - I'm off to Cymbiosis on Tuesday. A Radikal upgrade kit with my name on it is waiting patiently for me .............

[LD100]

.
Stop Press - I'm off to Cymbiosis on Tuesday. A Radikal upgrade kit with my name on it is waiting patiently for me .............

Congratulations, I don't need a crystal ball to see many hours of musical enjoyment in your future.
Anxiously awaiting your report on the upgrades effects.

[Mr Onion]

... but you haven't finished playing the last set of re masters that Peters elves replaced your collection with after the last upgrade

Have a safe trip and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Coyote Jim]

[Wenge1]

... but you haven't finished playing the last set of re masters that Peters elves replaced your collection with after the last upgrade

You may jest but that very thought did cross my mind James ...........

[Wenge1]

.....................

[Wenge1]

.
Stop Press - I'm off to Cymbiosis on Tuesday. A Radikal upgrade kit with my name on it is waiting patiently for me .............

Congratulations, I don't need a crystal ball to see many hours of musical enjoyment in your future.
Anxiously awaiting your report on the upgrades effects.

.............

[FangfossFlyer]

.
Stop Press - I'm off to Cymbiosis on Tuesday. A Radikal upgrade kit with my name on it is waiting patiently for me .............

Have you already heard it as if so what would you say were the key improvements that made you want to buy it?

Richard

[evil_C]

.
Stop Press - I'm off to Cymbiosis on Tuesday. A Radikal upgrade kit with my name on it is waiting patiently for me .............

Have you already heard it as if so what would you say were the key improvements that made you want to buy it?

Richard

Those were my thoughts too. Unless we assume that Linn wouldn’t announce the revisions if it didn’t deliver an improvement…
I’m still only ~100 hours on my Kandid and Karousel, so I don’t think I’m ready yet for another change.

[Wenge1]

.
Stop Press - I'm off to Cymbiosis on Tuesday. A Radikal upgrade kit with my name on it is waiting patiently for me .............

Have you already heard it as if so what would you say were the key improvements that made you want to buy it?

Richard

No, but I will auditioning prior to buying. Should I not like it, the agreement is that Peter will just put the upgrade kit back into stock. Because of the distance to Cymbiosis, I always take my deck with me so that it can be worked on whilst I wait should I decide to go ahead with whatever upgrade I might be auditioning. It's also why I'm there as soon as they open to give enough time for the whole thing.

[FangfossFlyer]

Hi Wenge1,

Fair enough.

I would be really interested in your findings which ever way it goes.

As for me, I am holding off any further turntable upgrades until I have heard Naim's Solstice and, if I like it, a home loan including trying it with my Kandid and Superline/SupercapDR.

Have fun,

Richard

[Wenge1]

Hi Wenge1,

Fair enough.

I would be really interested in your findings which ever way it goes.

As for me, I am holding off any further turntable upgrades until I have heard Naim's Solstice and, if I like it, a home loan including trying it with my Kandid and Superline/SupercapDR.

Have fun,

Richard

Perfectly understandable for you given your NAIM heritage. I assuming that if the Solstice wins out for you, you would have it instead of your LP12?

[Coyote Jim]

Hi Wenge1,

Fair enough.

I would be really interested in your findings which ever way it goes.

As for me, I am holding off any further turntable upgrades until I have heard Naim's Solstice and, if I like it, a home loan including trying it with my Kandid and Superline/SupercapDR.

Have fun,

Richard

Worth checking out to see if the Kandid balances out on the ARO 2 as the Equinox is quite a heavyweight.
All this is assuming that it's going to be available anything other than a complete kit but the cart will wear out sometime.

[FangfossFlyer]

Perfectly understandable for you given your NAIM heritage. I assuming that if the Solstice wins out for you, you would have it instead of your LP12?

Well it would have to mighty good for me to move on from my beloved LP12 which i have had and been building upon for well over 30 years!

I am definitely a big Naim fan when it comes to their 'house sound' as produced by their amps so I keep an open mind and hope that the Solstice reflects this. What I am sure is that the Solstice will be good but it will be different to the LP12, not necessarily better but different.

I am currently paying Steel Pulse's Handsworth Revolution (one of my favourite reggae LPs) as I write this, it sounds mighty fine to me and I am thinking I must be mad to even contemplate changing such a wonderful and engaging system!

Richard

[Wenge1]

Perfectly understandable for you given your NAIM heritage. I assuming that if the Solstice wins out for you, you would have it instead of your LP12?

Well it would have to mighty good for me to move on from my beloved LP12 which i have had and been building upon for well over 30 years!

I am definitely a big Naim fan when it comes to their 'house sound' as produced by their amps so I keep an open mind and hope that the Solstice reflects this. What I am sure is that the Solstice will be good but it will be different to the LP12, not necessarily better but different.

I am currently paying Steel Pulse's Handsworth Revolution (one of my favourite reggae LPs) as I write this, it sounds mighty fine to me and I am thinking I must be mad to even contemplate changing such a wonderful and engaging system!

Richard

Yes, 30 plus years here too Richard. I reckon the contemplation comes from a dose of Naim fever mate. If you end up with both, I'm angling for an invite round to yours ............