Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP7200 and Linn LP12

You might consider using a Meridian 218 (RCA input) with a Phono Pre-Amplifier of your choice.

Since I bought my 96/24 DSP5000 - at least 90% of my music time has been spent listening thru one of the four turntables that are hooked up to my system. I use two Mytek Stereo 96 ADC, a Meridian 221 and a Parks Audio Puffin with digi output - this goes thru a Bennchmark DAC-3 HGC used as a headphone amp and switcher/converter -then into my DSP5000s.

I simply have more music on LP's than CD's and my Bluesound Node 2 for some reason has failed to win me over to streaming.

I suggest the OP take his Linn in to a competent Linn specialist if there is one within range - get it serviced.A Puffin with digi SPDIF should be useable and enjoyable as a phono preamp/converter. Unless his cartridge tip is worn out - his cart suspension should be fine. I use one Linn cart that is the grandparent of his cart - suspension bloc issues on carts come down to few issues:

1.) very early MM designs had issues with the dampening blocs aging-by the middle 60's various forms of butyl rubber were in use and pretty much ended this simple aging issue.

2.) Very, very high compliance designs - truth is when you start getting into figures like 65 cu. stylus compliance -these didn't have aging issues -they had practical use issues from the get go. First gen ADC XLM, B&O MMC, are known problems.

3.) Cigie smoke

4.) Storage. Decades of under the eaves storage in my climate is just abusive.

5.) Run a cart over any of the standard test records (Ortofon or Hi Fi News and record Review) if damaged - you will know it.

Enjoy

I recently brought my LP12 (with Ittok LVIII, Arkiv, Lingo I, Linto) back home after a very long term loan.

I gave it a spin in the living room initially, with the Linto pre into the 218 feeding DSP5200SEs - it sounded stunning.

Sadly space was the limiting factor in the living room, so its now found a permanent home in my study (pic in the roon forums).

I decided to loan it to my Dad back when I had DSP5200s (non-SE) which sounded too bass heavy with the LP12.

Your experiences seem to mimic my own in that the LP12, similar spec to yours, is perhaps too bloated in the bass for a good match with larger DSP speakers.
What has been a revelation to me is putting in a Rega RP6, much more life in the music, and the bass is tighter and again focused, makes me want to perhaps move up to an RP10, as has previously been mentioned as a good fit, the journey continues.