Linn Basik Plus

[annushka]

Hello,

I have recently upgraded my stock AR the Turntable with new studs and springs and plan to install Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge. Would a replacement of the original tonearm with a Linn Basik Plus be a good idea to get the most from this cart? Any other tonearm suggestions within the same price range? I’m on a tight budget and have to bear in mind installation costs so arms which would require a substantial modification of the deck are out of option, I’m afraid. The rest of my system comprises of Quad 33-303 and Tannoy Mercury M4. Any advice would be welcome...

Regards,

[mjwraw]

Whilst I've never heard a Linn Basik Plus myself, having read many many posts on similar subjects, I doubt you'll get a straight answer. Some people will tell you the Linn is miles better than the stock AR (Jelco re-badged I think), others will tell you that the stock AR stands toe to toe with just about anything up to about $300

[markcass]

Hi

It is indeed hard to say whether a Basik Plus would be a big enough upgrade from the stock arm to be worth the trouble. The MP-200 shouldn't make outrageous demands on the arm into which it's fitted.

When AR's The Turntable first came out, I can remember one reviewer tested it with an Ittok, so it was clearly deemed worthy of higher-quality arms at the time.

Alternative Linn-style arms to consider: the Alphason range (preferably an HR-100S if you can find an affordable one), or perhaps a Helius Scorpio or a Linn-pattern Mission arm (the 774SM, not the cheapie 774LC, as that's very similar to the AR arm). A second-hand Akito in good condition would be another possibility. However, a lot of these arms would be much more difficult to find than a Basik Plus.

The implication is that your budget wouldn't cover a new arm, but if this is a possibility, the Jelco 370 or 250ST would be the obvious choices.

HTH

Mark