Linn Ittok LVII - what it's worth

[tube-wolf]

Hi everybody,

I've been contemplating the idea of getting a Linn Ittok LVII arm for my Lenco GL78. Prices seem to be insane on eBay at the moment. How much should a used, good Ittok go for? Somewhere around £450?

 

[roob]

Realistic price is c£400 for a later boxed model non eBay, a Jelco 750 would be a good alternative and it's a direct drop in replacement like Linn arms.

 

[fordy]

I much preffered the Jelco 750D to an Ittok LVII on a Lenco 88 birch ply plinth deck and an LP12. The Jelly is a bargain and you'll get one new for the less than the price of a tired old tiktok.

 

[tube-wolf]

Thanks for your replies. Which Jelco model is the direct drop-in replacement for Linn arms? The 750D? And does it need a special collar?

 

[minimido]

Hi there,

I believe that the mounting distance for the Jelco 250ST (straight arm) is 210mm so it is this arm that is most suitable as a straight drop in on the Lencos. The mounting distance for the S-shaped SA-250 and the SA-750D is 214mm, so not really a straight drop in as they would be a few mm out.

The arms, when bought, come with the suitable collar which fits, with a little fettling, into the present arm pillar opening on the Lenco top plate. You would have to drill 3 small holes around the hole in order to secure the collar in place with the provided bolts. it's a pretty straightforward job.

 

[Chumpy]

As someone who has had 5 LV11 and variants - usually new - I advise buying only a super as-new doubly-boxed/Allen keys/all gubbins etc one to use ONLY on LP12.

I am sure that you can buy/enjoy a more suitable alternative - for less than c. £400 - for your lovely Lenco.

I advise seeking Lenco-specialists' advice ...

 

[minimido]

Lencoheaven is a good place to start.

 

[andreweast]

- I advise buying only a super as-new doubly-boxed/Allen keys/all gubbins etc one to use ONLY on LP12.

Why would you say only on an LP12 Charlie?

I ask because I have this yen to try my Ittok on an SL1210, just because I think it will look good.

 

[tube-wolf]

Heretic question: Are the sonic improvements gonna be massive compared to a good old Linn Basic Plus?

 

[vacdac]

:goodone: Spot on Frank re t' slight difference in spindle to pivot/mounting distances. Yup its t' Jelco 250st which is t' drop in replacement for Linn fit/Geometry arms, when I upgraded to my SA750D last year my new armboard was a custom order from Michell as the mounting distance/weight is different to their 'Off t' Peg' Linn fit Board. I think their are small differences throughout t' rest of the Jelco range.....I'm not sure the 250s removable H/Shell model is exactly the same as the SA750D....then there's the 10" 750 variant + the LAD badged 370 which again has slightly different effective length + of course the 750 12" inch variants which depart further from the "S" shaped shorter 750's with their 'J or L' shaped arm wands.

Hi there, I believe that the mounting distance for the Jelco 250ST (straight arm) is 210mm so it is this arm that is most suitable as a straight drop in on the Lencos. The mounting distance for the S-shaped SA-250 and the SA-750D is 214mm, so not really a straight drop in as they would be a few mm out.

The arms, when bought, come with the suitable collar which fits, with a little fettling, into the present arm pillar opening on the Lenco top plate. You would have to drill 3 small holes around the hole in order to secure the collar in place with the provided bolts. it's a pretty straightforward job.

Heretic question: Are the sonic improvements gonna be massive compared to a good old Linn Basic Plus?

Ittok should be a big step up from a Basik+ even with a lower end cart & the Basic + has very limited potential with M.C. carts so you shouldn't expect it to shine with such a pairing whereas an Ittok can easily unlock the potential of MC carts.

There are a few drop in replacements that'd offer a good step up in quality over a Basik+ eg Mission 774 (Linn mount version) & the already mentioned Jelco 250st which is arguably the modern day spiritual successor to the 774 & t' Jelly is a better all rounder than the ubiquitous Rega RB250/300 IMV. Then there's Projects carbon tubed offerings which can work well with LOMC carts......although they're a little quirky in having lower effective mass than is the norm these days....I think the 9 series are under 9g effective mass......actually 8.6g IIRC from looking at specs t'other day. Another thing, there is a bewildering range of counterweights & each one is only suitable for a very narrow range of different weight carts.....There's been a fair bit written about this on various threads so summat to consider....although by normal standards the counterweights aren't too expensive.

There's a Project 8.6c Carbon currently going in t' classifieds for a Ton delivered....mebbe worth a look. :^ Seems a good price fer it & it should be drop-in IIRC. I've heard the slightly different Project 9cc sounding pretty good on an X-Pack TT with an Ortofon Rondo Red cartridge which is a fairly massy affair @10.5g.

Linky>>>> http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?90884-FS-Pro-ject-8-6c-carbon-tonearm

 

[pure sound]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alphason-Designs-HR100S-MCS-Tonearm-Tonearm-Lead-/121156303289?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c357a79b9

Same geometry as Linn.

Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ob1]

Ittock II should fetch minimum of £450 all day long. very good with pace and timing, many call it ticktock for that reason.

[h=2][/h]

 

[tube-wolf]

Thanks for all the interesting input. Seriously considering a Jelco now, unless a reasonably priced Ittok comes up.