Budget of $20k to $25k - What to Buy?

[Con Alma]

This is all new to me but here goes.... Last teenager has left home this year and, apart from semester breaks, have got back the use of my - small/modestly sized study where an older but tidy Linn Sondek has been put into action for the 1st time in many years. Have started to buy vinyl again. Have a Pioneer HT receiver which is great for movies but plain barren for music and my trusty Shahinian Arcs. Amp and turntable required. The Linn would need a major makeover but I'm growing older and want simplicity. I love the look of those Michell Gyros. Don't know anything about them. Should I audition one or commit to a Linn upgrade? The amp - Perreaux 150i or the new Plinius Hautonga.? (I'd like some loot left over if possible). Any sensible thoughts would be most welcome.

[Michael Wong]

Michell Gyro is not a move towards simplicity.

If you like the Linn just get it serviced, you don't have to get the latest upgrades (in fact I prefer the original Linn with maybe a Grace 707 over the later versions).

What arm/cartridge are you using ?

Do you need the amp to pull double duty for music and HT ?

[Son Of Samoa]

You should consider a VPI Classic turntable? Contact Neil at Turned On Audio in Onehunga, I recently had a Linn Sondek LP12 with Circus/Lingo/Akito and made a side by side comparison and was completely blown away by it !!! Good luck !!!

[Con Alma]

Thanks. No I don't need the the amp to do double duty but I'd be prepared to look at one that did as the room has its restrictions. The arm is an Ittok LV II, the cartridge an old Dynamic Coil Garrott P77. Thanks again.

[Con Alma]

I should have added. If I keep the Linn- do I have to go the Lingo way to get 45rpm or is there another less expensive route? Thanks for the VPI ref. Samoan Commando. I'll check that out.

[Michael Wong]

Linn used to make a beautifully machined aluminium sleeve to slip onto the drive pulley, increasing it's diameter to allow 45rpm. There might still be one languishing somewhere...

Looks like this
6887

VPI Classic is nice or a Rega P9 or a Well Tempered Amadeus ?

The Plinius Integrated is a good choice, includes an excellent phono stage.

In AVRs, the Rotel is the only one I've heard that doesn't embarrass itself with music.
Will need an external phono preamp, eg Dynavector P75 or even a Cambridge 640P if you are particularly parsimonious.

[hopeman]

Google MOSE/Hercules for power upgrade for LINN LP12, should be around NZ$500 inc shipping from oversea.

[Brian Ono]

I liked the idea of a HT loop so you can use the amp for Ht duties with little or no degradation of its stereo abilities.I think The Hautanga allows that.

[Michael Jones]

I'd probably look at the Well Tempered and Plinius Hautanga to go with the Arcs. And then proceed to live happily ever after!

[Con Alma]

I should have mentioned I did buy that Cambridge Phono Stage and plugged it into the Pioneer HT receiver even tho' it has a phono section. The Pioneer lacks wally. I will check out the Well Tempered. Many thanks - all very helpful.

[beeman]

For the turntable - they don't come much simpler than this. A fine piece of kit. I replaced a Linn LP12 - then Project RPM 9 with this for a significant improvement - cheers.

http://www.audioenz.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/11771-Aurora-MKII-Turntable-(upgraded)-Origin-Live-Silver-arm

[TonyD]

Well Tempered Simplex has been favourably reviewed recently ...

[Michael Jones]

...but the Amadeus sounds better and doesn't cost that much more ($4400 vs $2750).

[luigi]

Er, that's 'just' 60 per cent more. Is it 60 per cent better?

[Michael Jones]

It's all to do with context, not whether you or I want to by it. In the context of a system of this value and quality then the Amadeus is a cheap but worthwhile addition.

[Ernie]

Terry at the Audio Reference Co could help you out and he is a Hamilton local. He should have the new Krell integrated in by now. Yes, support local, but this should be on the maybe list. The Krell would give you change as well. :)

[Luis]

Hi soulful one, you can have all my gear for $20K, that gives you loads of options to play around with. Free postage too!

[Papa Hemi]

Hi soulful one, you can have all my gear for $20K, that gives you loads of options to play around with. Free postage too!

Selling your life off - just like that!!
What else have you got for sale?
Hmm - 20k could be a good price...

[Luis]

Selling your life off - just like that!!
What else have you got for sale?
Hmm - 20k could be a good price...

Not my life, just my hi-fi-life. Anything that's replaceable can go.... the rest might put up a fight.

[Con Alma]

Thanks again. All very interesting. I'm all for spending locally but I guess a Well Tempered audition means I would be spending my money not in Hn but up the motorway in Toy California? No-one in Waikato BOP sells W Tempereds?

[coleus]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Turntables/auction-398615047.htm

Get your Gyrodec here....

[Peter S]

I'd probably look at the Well Tempered and Plinius Hautanga to go with the Arcs. And then proceed to live happily ever after!

For my ears that would be a mighty fine system indeed.

[guitardude]

Gyro is mine, also for sale are the rest of the system, KD500, Luxman amp, Duntech speakers 2x REL 205 etc, plus 5000 odd LP's all in very good to mint cond. $30k for the lot ?

PM me if you are interested and we'll talk....

Cheers, Ian

[analogism]

I'd probably look at the Well Tempered and Plinius Hautanga to go with the Arcs. And then proceed to live happily ever after!

Second a WT plus Plin combo. Come play your fuzzy warbles!

[Newbie]

Gyro is mine, also for sale are the rest of the system, KD500, Luxman amp, Duntech speakers 2x REL 205 etc, plus 5000 odd LP's all in very good to mint cond. $30k for the lot ?

PM me if you are interested and we'll talk....

Cheers, Ian

So who's the lucky sob who bought your deck?

I'm always interested in good secondhand vinyl but couldnt sneak 5000 into the house :-( !

[TT_Tek]

Google MOSE/Hercules for power upgrade for LINN LP12, should be around NZ$500 inc shipping from oversea.

When I tried the Hercules PSU (http://www.herculespsu.com/) (Mose version) I thought it gave a good improvement over the Valhalla (average age/condition), but, overall, I'd sooner recommend a good condition Lingo 2, or a Naim "Armageddon."