Conference hips::uk_audioo

Joe,

I called in to a local Linn dealer on Tuesday morning to hear the Cirkus - the 
comparison was between two LP12s with Akito/K18s one with the Circus update and
the other without. They were played through a Kairn, 3*Klout+1*K100 into Active
Keltics.

At first, the only thing I could tell was how excellent the rest of the system
sounded - effortless is perhaps the best word.  After a short while I got used
to the rest of the system and could listen to the difference the Cirkus made.
Essentially, notes being played or sung began to have definite beginnings and
ends reather than blurring into each other. The whole piece of music seemed 
more detailed, cleaner and more tuneful (the Linn speciality ??).

I'm convinced, my deck is in at this moment having the mods done. If you can get
a similar dem, then you should be able to decide.

Dave

P.S. If your LP12 is getting on a bit, don't forget that this replaces almost all
the moving parts that count (bar the motor), and Linn claim that it'll be good
for another 20 years of hard use.

Thanks for the information Dave.  I'll have to look into this upgrade. 
Could be a 
worthwhile upgrade.

-Joe

Price?
Local dealers in the Reading/Basingstoke area you'd recommend to
    do the upgrade?

Price - 285 quid.

I took mine to Newbury Audio who did the job in a day. This inculded a 
full overhaul of the rest of the deck (what there is that's left) and setting
up and tuning. Newbury Audio was where I had the dem I wrote about earler.

I would certainly recommend them for anything Linn related. (the owner really is
a Linn fanatic and the demo system is _excellent_).

Dave 

    Well that's torn it!
    
    I've just arranged a dem of the Cirkus for Saturday. This is probably
    the worst move I could make as if I like what I hear, then I'm going
    poor for another month.
    
    The dem is booked at Audio T in Basingstoke - they don't have a
    stunnign reputation, but they are local and also they are experienced
    at setting up LINNs.
    
    Come Monday, I'm likely to be much poorer.
    

    Well, I had the Cirkus fitted to the deck the other day. 
    
    I went to the demo expecting to hear a huge difference, but was
    disappointed. It took nearly an hour for me to hear anything to
    separate the Cirkus'd and the non-Cirkus'd. I think that can be put 
    down to the fact that I don't listen to music in a 'Linn' fashion.
    
    Still I was able to tell slight differences; differences that in the
    long term will add to my enjoyment of music.
    
    Dave.
    

    Well, I spent the weekend listening to records in the comfort of my own
    (rented) home with no distractions or dealers hanging around. 
    
    My previous note stated that I couldn't hear a major difference between
    the Cirkus'd and non- LP12. Utter pap! The difference is astounding. My
    main difference was that the high notes went higher and the bass went
    oh-so-low! I'm not a great one for being able to tell the timing of
    music, but I believe I heard a difference on some tracks.
    
    All in all, I think that that Cirkus is well worth the 285 squid asked!                                
                   

    I asked my local dealer, PJ Hi-Fi Guildford, about the price of the Cirkus
    upgrade, he confirmed the 285 pounds, but then said that there would be
    an additional 15 pounds fitting fee.
    
    Is this normal, or is it a rip-off, and if so, are there any other
    dealers in the Surry area that would do the upgrade.
    
    Dave.

    
    
    Dave 
    
    Try Spaldings in Croydon or better yet save your money and buy a CD!!