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Installed Keel on LP12; new cartridge.
Who would have guessed? As the CD falls, vinyl rises again. Online readers have probably noticed Stephen Mejias diving deep into the black art this year. What about you? Have you spent any money on your turntable rig (not including records) in the last 12 months?
For my Linn LP12, I bought a BAT VKP5 phono stage (with upgraded NOS tubes) and fitted it with a new Benz Woodbody S. I also installed an upgraded sound card for my PC to record all that analog yumminess digitally. Call me a lemming.
I replaced all the electrolytic capacitors in my Sony PS-4300. It took more time than money but it's more stable and steady in speed than ever before! I did the work myself so it saved me a bundle! Yeah, there's capacitors in automatic turntableslots more than you would think! Of course none of them pass audio, that's where your preamp does its job! Mine were looking pretty ancient and in need of some new ones. 30-year-old caps are always in need of replacing! Worth every cent in my book! Analog forever!
About two years ago, I Lingo'ed my Linn after blowing out the Valhalla board, and added an EAR 834P phono preamp when the phono stage in my Modulus III preams developed a problem that will never be fixed (i.e repair will cost more than the preamp is worth). After spending almost $4000, including tax and labor, on a turntable that originally cost me $895, I am done for the time being.
I built three lead-filled footers/piers for my Gyrodec, which has tightened/quieted the sound and has accidently given it the multi-cylindrical look of some mass loaded designs. The lead was by far the costliest part of the project, being a controlled and reviled substance these days.