Hercules II Motor Control Board for Linn LP12 – Made in Hong

[victor3123]

I accidentally came across the PCB in a HK based turntable/LP web site and bought a piece at about US$200 in April 2006 but not installed in my LP12 until now as my Valhalla was dead recently (service life expired ?)

The reasons for me to buy that PCB was based on the following reasons:-
1. Affordable and reasonable price in consideration of its superb components used and construction
2. As spare part for my Valhalla
3. Simple installation (same fixing method for Valhalla including the press-button)
4. Face-to-face local delivery

After installation and audition, generally speaking, I found my LP12 is now upgraded in the following ways eventhough someone may say it is no more a LINN sound but who can tell me what a LINN sound should be :-
1. It can run 33⅓ and 45RPM vinyl
2. The time from initial start to complete desired speed running perform better than my Valhalla
3. I dare not say this could improve the sound but nevertheless not worse than before
4. The output voltage for motor is measured to be correct with reference to LINN’s relevant manual, i.e., +85V

Believe it or not, Hercules II PCB was created and produced in Hong Kong by a grooup of LINN LP12 fans but now is available worldwide including eBay.

For interested readers, it is worth to have a view to their production milestones at that time eventhough this is prepared in Chinese:-

http://www.vinylparadise.com/ttable/her ... rcules.htm

Declaration: I have no direct or indirect relationship in any ways to the product and this topic is purely for general knowledge purpose related to LP12 only.

Cheers,

K F Wan

[victor3123]

My photos in installing the Hercules II Motor Control Board on my LINN LP12.

It is good, isn't it ?

Cheers,

K F Wan

http://photos.i.cn.yahoo.com/album-A2v_ ... a#doc-body

[victor3123]

More photos showing finish top :

http://photos.i.cn.yahoo.com/album.html ... a#doc-body

Cheers,

K F Wan

[victor3123]

The photos are here for your easy reference :

[img] http://f18.yahoofs.com/users/46cca050z3 ... GBTTGarpuJ

[/img] http://f18.yahoofs.com/users/46cca050z3 ... GBHXErOzdT

[img] http://f18.yahoofs.com/users/46cca050z3 ... GBd1IBLER_

[/img] http://f18.yahoofs.com/users/46cca050z3 ... GBgBCxM1Dn

Cheers,

K F Wan

[victor3123]

[JaS]

For some reason I've missed this thread completely

The Hercules II does look like a nice piece of kit. It's a shame no-one has thought to stick it in a box and sell it as an upgrade for other synchronous drive decks (unless they have and I've missed that too?).

Thanks for sharing!

Regards,
JaS

[audioorigami]

yea
and i would think about upgradeing that external arm lead as well

nice pictures...your deck looks in 1st class condition

best wishes
j7

[victor3123]

To Whom It May Concern :

The original developer of the PCB has recently posted a thread (but in Chinese + English) in the HK web which I previously refered to saying that some copies (counterfeits) are now found worldwide including eBay.

One negative example he refered to : http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... llFeedback

[naZri]

This PSU is not new to eBay, I post it here before:

http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5916&highlight=

You can see review of this PSU in upcoming HiFi World Oct'07 issue (e-mag version, Pg 90-93) together with Funk Firm and Heed Audio upgrades.

The pics are nice....

Wondring how my Linn would sound if I could do most of the upgrades and how it compare to latest SE upgrades.

Regards,

[victor3123]

Yes, in the recent thread the original developer posted reminding us of the positive comment made by HiFi World :


But in the second paragraph of his thread, he also reminded us of the copies (counterfeits) as well.

[Edmond123]

Thanks victor, I'd really appreciate his contributions with his knowledge in Linn LP12.
I must confess I vreat Hercules II. Which is an alternative for Valhalla. I didn't expect so many user praise Hercules II.
I would like to take this chance to remind my friends the fake barod is even worse than what I expected. I recently got it from my friend.
Thw whole baord is very bad quality.
The 45 rpm is not 45 but 43rpm. for peole whio are not care. The maker just got something close on ther street.
I just show you the switch this time.



Will you pay for 10 quid for that. [/img]

[Edmond123]

The wire was supposed to hole the switch onto the panel. Unforuntely it was too loosen, so better use glue to sitck it.
The on/off button is not tic/tac switch, It just toucn on/ff swtich.
If someone have gotten it already, good luck!

[wobbleu]

I'm rather ashamed to say I got suckered by one of these - I don't know about the speed consistency as mine runs backwards - so I haven't got round to listening to anything yet.

I'm trying to chase up the seller for a refund - If not I'll get Ebay onto him for selling counterfeit goods.

I'll be going out and buying a 'REAL' Hercules in the next week or so...

I suppose one day I'll learn about saving money and buying cheap

Chris

[Edmond123]

Dear Chris,
I regreat to hear that junk board is even worse that my expextation. Please bear in mind that refund is another ruse.
I believe you properly have to send this junk baord back before refund, You paid carriage two times, it is almost the price for this junk board.
In addition, the return policy indicate that is merchandise credit, the seller has no other items for sales, are you sure you can get the money back? Two year warranty???? Will you spend big money to send it back for repair and I am sure you bear the cost for fright charge return to you. It must be joking, you spend big money for piece of junk.