i found dr. needle on the internet, who lists a replacement stylus for the trokia at $1000.

is this something i can do myself?

could you recommend a shop to do it?

This is definately not something you can do yourself, nor can a shop.

I recomend you contact 'Expert Stylus' in the UK who have re-tipped many Troikas (including mine) and are excellent - will cost more like $600 too.

Look on British audio they have as new ones.

Except they are not new ones they are retipped:

"We have managed to acquire a small number of Linn Troika cartridges. They are fully re-cantilevered, re-tipped and generally re-engineered to full original spec (They come with a full guarantee), by Len Gregory, the Cartridge man."

In addition, I believe that Expert Stylus do this work for Len Gregory.

Picky

How good is the Troika? I went from Karma via DVs to Arkiv and Akiva so completely missed this one. I don't think I've ever even heard one - just a few reports over the years.

I really like (and rate) the Troika - the stylus Expert put on it allows it to track very well and in tone it is between the rich sound of Koetsu and the leaner Lyra style. I've got a few cartridges and recently compared it to my Dynavector Ruby which I felt to be signifantly less comunicative than the Troika which had better tonal variation and greater dynamic.

Sounds like I should check one out. BTW, I've had both a Supex SD900 and a Koetsu retipped by Expert and can recommend the service without hesitation - I think this company is one of hi-fi's little treasures.

abbydog.

I've done the AB with the Akiva.

They are very different sounding cartridges to my ears.

The Akiva sounds more modern and hifi-ish comparatively.

What would be interesting is to hear the Troika against a Shiraz.

That would be fascinating!

I'm very struck by the Benz carts at the moment and I'm waiting for a dem of the Ruby.They seem to do tight and punchy with a bit of sweetness which seems to be missing from a lot of modern carts. You often get amazing detail along with 'cold as ice'.

Abbydog;

I use Benz Ruby2 in my Ekos SE. Very good synergy in my ears (and others). Think Dr. P. liked it as well when he was around and mounted it for me.

Yeah, I heard the glider in the Keel/Ekos SE and liked it but I'm told Ruby2 is the way to go. I'm trying not to pre-judge things before I dem it. Benz is not a cartridge I've considered in the past but there does seem to be something nice going on with it in the latest LP12s.

If you want to buy a new Ruby it's the Ruby3 that is sold now. Haven't heard it but should be at least as good I suppose.
I have used the Ruby2 for some years now in my former LP12 with Ekos2. It really sung there as well. But with my new Keeled LP12/Ekos SE it's of course a new level.
It's a little tricky to install it in the arm as you can see. The connectors on the tags are bent much more on the armside than the cartridge side. It's of course possible to do it yourself but I got Peter to do it for me when he installed/tuned my LP12 here in Oslo.

AHhh! Ruby3 is it now. I let Derek at Infidelity play with my decks and don't touch them myself. The Ekos headshell is a bit of a pain...

quote:

What would be interesting is to hear the Troika against a Shiraz.

I've only heard a Troika on an Ekos/LP12 and a Shiraz in my own Roksan system.
I am sure though, that they are very different but 'classic' beasts: the Shiraz is still very much alive and kicking whereas unfortunately the Troika only exists I should imagine in retipped form with ageing suspension.
What I do know is that the performance of the Shiraz rockets on the end of an Artemiz2/TMS; it has real balls as well as finesse.

regards,

mat

quote:

Originally posted by abbydog:
How good is the Troika? I went from Karma via DVs to Arkiv and Akiva so completely missed this one. I don't think I've ever even heard one - just a few reports over the years.

A friend of mine has two,One original and one done by Len. And its still one of the best/nice sounding carts out there.And for what one costs now a very good buy.IMO.
Tony M told me a story months ago now about his Troika.
To this day he still thinks it was the best sounding cart he has ever had.
Munch

Interesting. I can see I'm going to have to investigate. Anyone know where the Troika was sourced? Supex? Lyra?

abby,
have a look on the British audio site for the Troika.
Munch

Thanx Munch

quote:

Originally posted by abbydog:
Anyone know where the Troika was sourced? Supex? Lyra?

I've been told Supex made the Troika then the same dude is now at the Transfiguration.

Abbydog, if you can borrow the Orpheus, try it on your AROed Sondek. It's a nice cartridge that works well with an ARO.