Linn Sondek LP12

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LP12 is the abbreviation for the legendary Linn Sondek™ LP12 transcription turntable produced by Glasgow, Scotland-based Linn Products, manufacturers of hi-fi, home theater, and multi-room audio systems.

The Sondek LP12 was introduced in 1972, utilises a suspended sub-chassis design and an innovative single-point bearing machined to extremely tight tolerances. The LP12 has evolved since its introduction, but its basic suspended sub-chassis design has remained unchanged. Changes thereto are elaborated below. The LP12 is loved by tens of thousands of audiophiles around the world for its excellent ability to play music with "pace, rhythm and timing". It is often used by hi-fi reviewers as a reference turntable.

The LP12 has acquired such cult status amongst audiophile turntables that many seek to knock it off its pedestal. In truth, the design has not been fundamentally revisited and could be showing its age. There have been improvements in turntable design and in material science since its launch.

Linn capitalised on the success of the Sondek LP12 by introducing the more affordable Basik and Axis turntables, complementary tonearms for the Sondek and cartridges at different price points.

1 Product Evolution
2 Specifications
- 2.1 LP12
- 2.2 Lingo
3 External links

[edit] Product Evolution

related serial numbers in square brackets

1972, LP12 turntable introduced.
1974, Main bearing liner changed. Sub-chassis strengthened by addition of strap, spot welded in place. Motor control circuit changed from terminal strip to small PCB. Mains switch changed from two buttons to single with mains neon. [s/n 2,000]
1978, Top plate modified adding two holes for 6 x 0.5 self tappers into wood block. [23,000]
1979, Lid prop removed, hinges changed to spring loading. [27,000]
1981, February. Nirvana mechanical components. [32,826]
1982, May. Valhalla crystal-driven electronic power supply made standard. [38,794]
1984, Enlarged plinth corner bracing. [53,000]
1984, June. Sub-chassis strengthening bar epoxy glued instead of spot welded. [54,101]
1985, August. Cap head screws on bearing housing. [60,383]
1985, September. Diode modification to Valhalla board [61,090]
1985, December. Strengthening blocks on corners of plinth.
1986, May. New clear lid.
1986, Suspension springs improved.
1987, March. New bearing housing, New Formica and MDF armboard. [69,161]
1987, April. New springs. [69,591]
1987, Bearing improved with better lining material and tighter tolerances. Change to black oil. Suspension springs ground to improved tolerance. Arm board composition improved. [70,000]
1989, Motor thrust pad changed. Valhalla surge guard modification. PCB mains lead (UK). [79,700]
1989, New MDF armboard, laminated top and bottom. [79,160]
1989, Harder suspension grommets fitted. [81,000]
1990, External Lingo power supply available as add-on.
1991, motor thrust pad cap added to Lingo models. [87,047]
1991, Valhalla board with 45RPM capability added [87,047]
1991, motor thrust pad cap added to Valhalla models. [87,206]
1991, Introduction of LP12 Basik, a stripped down version of the turntable [87,672]
1991, Solid base board replaces hardboard. [87,672]
1991, Trampolin base board with isolating feet available [87,672].
1992, Improved top plate fixing. [88,950]
1993, Cirkus upgrade (new springs, new bearing, inner platter, armboard, belt) fitted as standard. [90,582]
2002, Maple plinth introduced adding to existing black, cherry, walnut, rosenut and afromasa options.

Throughout the years, there have been many unnamed improvements such as new rubber feet, new baseboard, new armboard, new suspension springs and grommets and new plinth. However, the most significant upgrades to the LP12 in recent years are the Cirkus kit and the Lingo power supply. Since 1991 (serial number 87600), the LP12 has been supplied as a mechanical assembly only, without power supply fitted.

Lingo Power Supply (Introduced: 1990) Linn describes the LINGO as a "high precision, direct coupled, power supply designed to sit alongside the LP12 turntable".

At the heart of the Lingo are two very low noise crystal oscillators, one for 33⅓ rpm and one for 45 rpm. The switch on the turntable selects the appropriate oscillator, the output of which is fed into a synchronous counter to produce a 50 Hz or 67.5 Hz square wave for 33 rpm and 45 rpm respectively, which is then filtered into a clean sinusoidal waveform to ensure the LP12 motor runs at its quietest.

The Lingo feeds the motor with a higher voltage for increased start-up torque. When the platter reaches the selected speed, this load-sensing circuitry reduces the output to where the motor just maintains the platter's own inertia to keep it going silently.

The Cirkus upgrade (Introduced: 1993) The Cirkus upgrade to the LP12 focuses on bearing performance and the connection of the bearing housing to the sub-chassis. The improved bearing and stronger sub-chassis arrangement provides the turntable with greater stability and ensures the bearing sits perfectly true to the chassis of the turntable. According to Linn, this supposedly minimises the risk of turntable platter movement with respect to the sub-chassis and arm, and thus limits the audible degradation to the reproduced signal.