This is not exactly related to your post, but how do you think your Rega Planar 6 stacks up against an older turntable from Linn?
I was pretty much set on a Planar 3, but the guy who owns the local HiFi store suggested I instead wait until he gets in a used Linn as he thinks they are way better and in a similar class as Rega 10's. I reckon you have probably put your hands on a Linn turntable from time to time, so what do you think of this?
I'd say the current Regas can 'sound' more like digital than digital does... lean, dry and squeaky-clean to brightly lit balance, only tamed by the previous generation dull-as-ditch water Rega MM pickup cartridges often used (I don't know the new 'ND' cartridge models which claim to be far better). For me currently, the 6/neo is the optimum before the range goes all wanky (sorry for the term, but that's how I tend to see the 'better' ones above).
The LP12 is a nightmare and I'd avoid old ones like the plague (including the Axis as they burn out the 24/7-running supply boards now) unless the main bearing is immaculate (most 80s and I now gather some 90s 'Cirkus' ones are worn out). You set upon an upgrade ladder which costs a fortune and at best, you get a nice tone with some 'swing' to it, ALL of which is colouration, not that your dealer would know unless they do recording and mixing - you should understand what I mean. Old versions need individual work too where newer ones post 1992 or so, do fall together better in my experience. I used to be able to judge springs and the grommets for a badly 'bouncing' deck sample, but recent experience shows I've lost that skill now as I don't do them day in-day out.
I did check and re-set (slightly) not very long ago, a 1979 era Nirvana LP12 with Mission 774 arm (spot welded sub-chassis and ply arm-board). It did 'sound' great, lacking the fruity warmth of Ittok equipped versions which followed after 1980. Latest spec models share little under the top plate with older samples, but they're ridiculous money now - I'd rather find and restore a Thorens TD150mk2 myself, fit a modern mid-line MM cartridge and grin smugly from ear to ear
- yes, with TP13A arm and maybe a 1mm thick ptfe disc in the main bearing well to fix the worn thrust plate. A TD150 fits an LP12 plinth exactly and can sound slightly 'better' for it, the narrow armboard being the only visual issue.
My advice for Planar 3 money? Try to find an original Technics SL 1300/1400/1500/1600/1700/1800, the latter three with sprung chassis, so easier to site. Change the headshell to the later technics type (perhaps) and add a 3 - 5mm cork mat on top of the rubber one (which properly damps the otherwise ringy platter) to get the arm level again (it's fixed height). Main bearings on these last decades, but a drop of light machine oil on the spindle as recommended by the maker won't hurt. As with a Rega, take the lid off when playing (especially on the non-sprung models) and site away from corners and not on thuddy cabinets. They'd beat a Rega 3 hands down in every aspect bar the tonearm (on '2' and '3 upwards' models, of which Rega can be rightly proud! I was able to get excellent sounds from an SL1500 and should have kept it really...
P.S. Early Technics quartz locked models with height-adjustable arms (1300mk2/1400mk2/1500mk2 for example) could also be considered, but there's a nasty failure which occurs on the lifting device which affects the auto functions too - a delrin sleeve around the underside arm pillar splits and, although one or two people have repaired by 'all but stapling' the part back together, the disassembly/reassembly part is a bit of a nightmare, as I recall it being built in several layers... No idea on the 1600mk2/1700mk2/1800mk2 which replaced them and kind-of formed a bridge to the 1200mk2 series we all know - and some of these may have had extensive 'DJ use' despite so many being around...
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