It is the turntable that every other turntable is rated by

Set up and maintenance

I have owned my Linn turntable since 1981. I bought it in Saudi Arabia and it has traveled around the world at least once. The last 10 years it spent in its box. I decided last year to have it serviced and have a new cartridge mounted. I originally had the Grace cartridge mentioned by Hans in an earlier review and I totally agree with him. I got talked into replacing this Grace arm with a Linn Attiko arm and Dynavector MC cartridge. I did not like Linn arms when I purchased the turntable and still do not. The Dynavector Karat 17D2 MC cartridge is a true gem of a cartridge. This is the quickest responding and detailed cartridge that I have ever heard.

Everyone knows this turntable is a nightmare to set up...it is. But it is one beautiful turntable. I have a great CD player...a Audio Analogue Maestro which I love...but the Linn Sondek turntable still wins out for the sound. It is real sound. I had my first CD player in 1983 and after two months I gave it away because I did not believe that a CD would ever sound as real as a Linn Sondek. Well 18 years later the Linn Sondek still outshines CD's; even if CD has made remarkable improvements over the year.

The Linn Sondek is the classic turntable that everyone else is measured against; whether cheaper or more expensive everyone is compared to the Sondek. I would advise anyone who is thinking of purchasing one to be very careful of who they deal with. A reputable dealor is critical. Set up is not easy. Arm and cartridge matching is critical. I do not believe that the Linn Sondek and a Linn arm are the perfect match. When you buy a Linn Sondek you are also buying the dealor...

Vinyl still outperforms CD's. A Linn Sondek with well matched components is still the true measure of Audio.

Associated Equipment:

Sims Audio Moon I-5 intergrated Amp
Audio Analogue Maestro CD
Linn Attiko Arm
Dynavector M17D2 MC cartridge...this is a great cartridge!
B&W 805 Speakers.
Harmonic Technology interconnects and Speaker Cables
Naim MC stepup preamp

Similar Products Used:

None

Hello everyone,
I was surprised to see that this product was not reviewed. The Linn Sondek LP12 has been in production for 25 years and continously refined. My current player is a mid 80-s model with latest updates and yesterday I ordered the current anniversiry edition. The player can be bought with three different power supplies (basik, valhalla, and Lingo) and two types of "feet" ("base board and trampolin). Each adding in performance.

Which ever you choose you will get a very musical and rythmic presentation that enables you to appreciate your record collection. Myself, I have not heard a better player. Add to that the upgrade/update path and Linn's usual excellent sales and service people and it adds up to an excellent buy. I even got my money back when I ordered the new player. A must audition for music loveres everywhere.

What can I say that has not been said before? My ten year old Linn Sondek LP12 still produces a warm, natural sound which current CD players still only dream about. The two exceptions are the recent introductions of $20,000 CD players from Linn and Krell(and available to only those seeking analog sound from a digital format with money to burn!).
I have been a satisfied Linn LP12 owner since 1980. If you want world class sound, real enjoyment / value, upgradability for life and long term support (if you need or want it), get yourself a Linn LP12. It'll make your system special again! And don't worry, there's plenty of good vinyl available if you let your lp's go.

I like the sound of the eighties LP-12 with its Ittokarm. Not quite neutral, no, but enjoyable. The point
is, I don't care about the later versions. And even
more, lately the price of the LP-12 has risen
to a high Pound Stirling 1200 for the basic version
of the turntable, and a (relatively) even higher
500 pounds for the Akito arm. And this arm really
is not that good!
So my advise is: buy a good second hand one, but don't
hand out your cash to Linn for a new one!

None of the reviews here mention the Cirkus upgrade kit for an LP12, which is less expensive than the Lingo Power Supply, and makes as big a difference in the performance as the power supply, IMHO. The most important part of the upgrade is the new main bearing/inner platter, and its housing. Stronger, more rigid and less prone to temperature changes than the old, it holds the platter much more firmly, and rotation is more in a true circle. It dramatically changes the sound of the table, gets rid of the mid-low end coloration some reviewers hate, others love. An astonishing improvement in overall sense of air and speed, and bass that puts holes in floors. Still shocked at how much umph it has. I've had my LP12 for 10 years, and had the Cirkus kit installed 6 mos ago. Although the sales line the folks who sell Linn give you is that every LP12 upgrade is like buying a new record collection, I have to say the Cirkus kit might actually do that.

I have owned a Linn Sondek LP-12 (Valhalla) with the Basik Plus tonearm for about 3 years now. My uncle also owns one with an Ittok arm. So I have become experienced with the Linn in different configurations. The table has the ability to sound very good once set up properly. However I don't think it is worth the money to buy one new. "Find a used one". There are turntables on the market in the same price category as the Linn which I feel are much better because of their superior sonic qualities and their user friendly setup. The Linn is very difficult to setup for optimum performance. It takes time to adjust everything just right. Make sure when you are tuning an LP-12 you have someone with you to prevent you from smashing the table out of frustration. Nonetheless when tuned it makes a very musical sound. All in all it is a very satisfactory turntable but not perfect. If you find one used at a reasonable price I recommend a LP-12.

Musicality, simple design, still supported and serviced

Setup, needs service every couple years, upgrades can be pricey

Love it or hate it. The LP12 is a product with very few people that land inbetween in terms of opinion. I've owned mine for 12+ years. Old LP12s do sound more colored, but even with the warmer sound, more music (and hence, more emotion) comes out of this table than any other. Other 'tables get better dynamics, imaging, tonal balance, etc, but that doesn't mean squat if I don't respond to what the musicians are saying. If I don't get goosebumps, it might as well be noise.

Some reviewers don't like the Lingo power supply, because it changes the tonal balance and presentation of the LP12. Naim Audio makes an alternative power supply, the Armageddon, which improves the dynamics and "groove" of the LP12 without the severe change in tonal character. (I prefer Naim's to the Lingo). Same goes for the newer Cirkus bearing, which some people claim ruins the sound of the LP12. IMHO, the Cirkus upgrade makes the most stunning and beneficial improvement of any LP12 upgrade, and it's the least expensive upgrade to make. It does change the sound, but it's entirely for the better. It can take weeks or maybe a month to adjust if you've grown used to the original bearing, but it is much more accurate and natural with the Cirkus upgrade. The "CD-like" adjective for the Cirkus bearing is not accurate, it has much more depth and resolve than any CD player I've heard. It simply loses the mid-bass boost that gives older decks that warmer sound.

If you want to listen to vinyl for the things that vinyl does best, (which I sum up with the word emotion), then the LP12 will do the best job, period. Other tables may sound clearer, punchier, or more detailed, but none will hold your attention for hours at a time, or help you understand the real message in the music, like an LP12.

Similar Products Used:

Rega Planar 2 and 3, VPI, Dual, Technics

musicality, upgradability, service

The LP12 has so many iterations it is impractical to review all of them. My LP12 dates from 1989 and I have all the upgrades--Lingo, Cirkus, etc. I do not have the Trampolinn, as I thought it a downgrade.

For those unfamiliar with the deck, it is a suspended subchassis design, with belt drive via a Airpax motor. It has a large tonearm mounting board and the plinth is available in a variety of finishes. Over the years Linn has released a number of upgrades; almost all of these can be retrofitted to older LP12s.

How does it sound ? It depends on the configuration, I will discuss the Cirkus/Lingo version, with Ekos arm. This combination represents the flagship, and sounds every bit the part. Its sound is coherent, quick, dynamic, detailed and very musical. It is surely not stretching too far to say that the LP12 introduced timing as an evaluator of hifi gear; that it is state of the art in this area should not surprise anyone. An LP12 is the kind of component that can be listened to for long periods of time with no fatigue--a very rare commodity.

Comparisons: Compared to tables like the VPI TNT or Basis, the Linn sounds quicker, better paced, and more engaging. The VPI and Basis sound somewhat leaden in comparison. On the other hand, the Rega P9 and Roksan Xerxes X sound more rhythmically certain and even more dynamic. The Xerxes X has a similarly extended bass, but it is leaner and better controlled, the Linn sounding a bit warmer.

Caveats: There are a lot of LP12s on the used market; these CAN represent great buys if in good condition. Check the bearing--if it is pitted keep looking or be prepared to invest US $600 in the Cirkus kit. It is well worth the money to have a competent Linn dealer check the table over and to replace the bits and pieces that need it, as well as setting the suspension correctly (which really is NOT that hard to do).

Conclusion: The LP12 ranks as one of the finest turntables available, in terms of music making, sound, and support from the manufacturer. Linn will most probably be around for a long time, so parts and service should be easily available. While there are tables that can exceed it in particular areas of performance, there are very few that best it overall. Oh--a top flight LP12 fitted with Naim Audio's Armageddon power supply and Aro tonearm is a superb alternative preferred by many to the Lingo/Ekos combo. Overall, a great product.

Similar Products Used:

Roksan Xerxes X, Rega Planar 9, Oracle Delphi V, VPI TNT, Basis 2100

Very musical

resolution, setup

Bought the LP 12 back in the mid 80s. I found the TT to be very musical. The craftmenship on the platter is excellent. At times I found it too musical and not enough resolution with the rest of my system (Benz Micro MC Gold cartridge, Audiocraft AC 3000 silver arm, YBA Integre Alpha DT amp and Reference 3A Master Control speakers). However, when I use it on my other amp, Einstein, it compromised with the rest of the system rather well.

Initially I was worried that the Audiocraft AC3000 Silver arm may be a tad heavy as well as too long for the TT. Luckily it all worked out with no problem.

Accessories that I would recommend with the LP12 are Audioquest Sorberthane Gel Mat and Vibrapods.

As for the rating, I gave 5 stars in both categories as I bought the TT rather cheap back then, about GBP 250 and yet the performance is first class.

Similar Products Used:

Oracle Alexandra Mk III, Rega Planar 3, Thorens TD 125 MkII

I have a second-hand LP12 with Ekos arm and K9 cartridge (can't remember the name of the on-board speed regulating device - it's the one down from the outboard Lingo). A good-sounding combination (through an all-Linn setup (Wakonda pre-amp, LK85/LK100 biamped power, Keilidh passive speakers) - BUT - and I humbly apologise for the following heresy - it sounds EXACTLY the same as Linn's Mimik CD player (well, mine does). The only way to tell the difference is the clicks and pops of the vinyl. So, a great sound for people with big vinyl collections, but audio Nirvana? 'Fraid not. One day I'll fit an MC and see whether it makes a difference.