MK1 made in Japan smooth finish
MK2 made in Scotland crinkly finish
MK3 ?
All very overrated for the price.
IMO
Info here.
Not giving much.!
https://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Akurate_LP12#AKITO
MK2 made in Scotland crinkly finish
MK3 ?
All very overrated for the price.
IMO
Info here.
Not giving much.!
https://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Akurate_LP12#AKITO
I had a Mark 1 back in 1989. It wasn't very good. Sold it after 2 years. I believe later ones were better.
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Well, I bought a Mk1 new for £300 to replace an LVV in the '90s and thought that was pretty good value ☺️
Mr Kandid is correct and I will add this information.
Mk1s are much more prone to bearings going bad over time than any other Linn arm.
Mk2 much better mechanically and musically
Mk3 Inner and outer bearing housings machined from solid billet replacing the cast pieces of the Mk2. Gives more solidity to the bearing housing, better energy control and a more precise platform for the vertical bearings to work within. Improved attachment of the parts for a more rigid connection. Improved horizontal bearings that are in Ekos2 league in terms of low friction and freedom from play. Also included the original T.Kable, now renamed the Akito output cable, and still my favorite in terms of musical quality - a value of around $460. Again a significant step up musically from the Akito2. In my opinion the first Akito that was a worthy competitor to an Ittok LVII (but not worth doing as an upgrade from the Ittok, instead replace the Ittok cable with the Akito output cable and be happy until you can get an Ekos).
True, that is the Akito 1, which is quite different than Akito 2 (not much info provided above on what the engineering/design differences are) and the Akito 3 is well described by @ThomasOK above and quite different than Akito2. Ther was a statement from Linn on their old forum that the difference between the Akito 2 and Akito 3 was such that they should probably have renamed it to avoid confusion. . I also remember upgrading from Akito 1 to Ittok LVII around 1990 and it was a clear improvement. The Akito 2 and even more the 3 is however very different in performance to the 1. Most on FB LP12 forum appears to have no idea on the difference between the Akito's.
I got Akito3 on two of my decks, one which replaced an Ittok LVII (in good condition).
Øyvind I
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- May 20, 2014
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I don’t think any of them can be upgraded to a later model. The only option being to trade up.
’troll
There have been and are no upgrades or trade-ins available from Linn to move from any Akito to any better version. As the Akito 3 is now discontinued there is literally no chance of that in the future.
Now next year is the 50th anniversary of Linn and the LP12 so you never know what Linn will do to celebrate. I have heard of nothing so far on the LP12 front other than partnering with a different Scottish whiskey distillery for some 50 year old whiskey and the likelihood of a 50th anniversary Special Edition LP12, but not necessarily with any new parts. (The 45th anniversary LP12 included no product introductions, just a special plinth made from whiskey barrels.) This all from our Linn rep who visited the store last week for the first time since the pandemic. There have occasionally in the past been LP12 promos that gave a reasonable trade in towards new items so a trade in towards an Arko might not be out of the question. But I have heard nothing about this being a possibility so it is all speculation.
Talking with a dealer the other day, he was of the opinion that the front ends have been covered quite well recently, and that the back end, that is, speakers would be more likely for the 50th.
Loose lips sink ships?! But don't forget the whiskey.
- May 20, 2014
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- HiFi Trade?
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By Linn, no. Jonnie at Audio Origami can work his magic on the bearings though (both A1 and A2) - and you can them rewired at the same time if you so wish. I had an A2 on my current LP12 when I first bought it (it was current at the time). I was very happy with it until I demoed it against an Ekos 2. The Akito 2 is no Ittok either but it works very well with Audio Technica MMs. My original one next lived on my dad's Axis for years and now lives on his LP12 (with a VM95).
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