The Linn Sondek LP12 transcription turntable (often shortened to LP12) is produced by Glasgow-based Linn Products, manufacturers of hi-fi, home theatre, and multi-room audio systems. Its name is derived from the 12" vinyl LP (gramophone record).
Contents |
The Sondek LP12 turntable, introduced in 1972, utilises a suspended sub-chassis design and a patented single-point bearing machined to extremely tight tolerances. The LP12 has evolved since its introduction, but its basic suspended sub-chassis design has remained[1]. At the time, the design was similar to the Thorens TD150, the AR[2]. Some contend that it was a copy of the Ariston RD11 which Hamish Robertson had come to Castle Engineering to have manufactured[3]. The thinking at the time was that the most important component of a high-end audio system is the loudspeakers. Linn presented an important challenge to that by claiming that the source (i.e. the turntable) was the most important part of the system.
Ivor Tiefenbrun has talked about how Sondek derives from the word Soundex as each hi-fi design always ends up having its own unique identifiable and recognisable sound. Some report the original name was just Sondek without the LP12.
| “ | Linn didn't invent the turntable, we simply understood that there was more information on an LP record than people were capable of accessing, so we applied our understanding of engineering to extracting it. | ” |
|
—Ivor Tiefenbrun, 2007[4] |
||
Early versions were a platform for mounting third party tonearms, had a basic power supply arrangements, and would only revolve at 33⅓ rpm. Those users requiring a 45 rpm option would have to purchase a special adaptor to increase the diameter of the motor pulley and platter speed accordingly.
Throughout the years, there have been many changes to components such as rubber feet, baseboard, armboard, suspension springs and grommets and reinforced plinth. However, the Cirkus kit, with its newly designed bearing, is one of the most significant. This subjectively offers a large performance upgrade[5]. Since 1991 (serial number 87600 onwards), the LP12 has been supplied as a mechanical assembly only, without power supply fitted.
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.
Today, many options are available for tonearms and power supplies to partner the deck. The LP12 allows the purchaser to select from a number of Linn as well as third party options. It is commonly partnered with the Linn Ekos SE tonearm, or the unipivot ARO tonearm from Naim Audio. External power options include Linn's own top of the line "Radikal" power supply featuring a speed management system that auto-calibrates the motor every time the Sondek LP12 is powered on; Naim Audio manufactures the Armageddon power supply for the LP12, based on its own Hi-Cap power supply unit.[6].
The LP12 is popular with many audiophiles around the world for its excellent ability to play music with "pace, rhythm and timing"[6]. It is sometimes used by hi-fi reviewers as a reference turntable[7].
It was at its most popular in the golden age of vinyl playback, principally the 1970s through to the 1980s. Its closest competitors were probably the Xerxes turntable from Roksan Audio, the Michell GyroDec, the Well Tempered Table, the Dunlop Systemdek II, and the Pink Triangle.
The LP12 has acquired such cult status[1] amongst audiophile turntables that many seek to knock it off its pedestal. Although the design has not been fundamentally revisited[8], there have been improvements to the turntable's design since its launch using advances in material science, over 25 years ago. In 2004, Stereophile said it was "a classic, a revolutionary, an iconoclast, a survivor."[1]
Changes thereto are elaborated below. related serial numbers in square brackets[5]
(in chronological order)
Lingo Power Supply (Introduced: 1990) Linn describes the LINGO as a "high precision, direct coupled, power supply designed to sit alongside the LP12 turntable".
Stereophile describes the Lingo as "a power amplifier intended to deliver a high-purity 120V 50Hz sinewave to the turntable's synchronous motor". The Lingo synthesizes the supply voltage and delivers two sinusoidal waveforms to the turntable motor, instead of a single sine wave generated by the Valhalla.[9]
The Lingo employs two "very low noise" crystal oscillators, one for 33⅓ rpm and one for 45 rpm. By the length of time the switch is depressed, the switch on the turntable allows selection of 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. The square wave is filtered into a clean sine wave to minimise motor vibration, and amplified to 120V to feed the turntable.[9]
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) Aiming to provide the LP12 with greater stability and ensure the bearing sits perfectly true to the chassis, an improved bearing and stronger sub-chassis assembly are core to the Cirkus upgrade. The bearing housing was completely redesigned – its height has been increased to improve lubrication; its mounting flange thickness has been substantially increased; the geometry of the top and bottom liners in the bearing housing has been altered to further reduce incidence of rocking. Thickness of the sub-chassis was doubled to improve rigidity, reduce flexing and improve control of the relationship between turntable platter and arm is reduced, thus limiting the audible degradation to the reproduced signal.[10] With the new bearing comes a new sub-platter.[11]
Keel (Introduced: 2006) The Keel upgrade to the LP12 is a replacement subchassis, machined from solid aluminium. It builds on the Cirkus upgrade (now fitted as standard to new LP12s) but is not included as standard in 'regular' production LP12s. Linn claims that the Keel is an application of its "close-tolerance aluminium machining", first seen in the ingot casing of the Sondek CD12 CD player. The Keel, along with the Ekos SE tonearm and Trampolin Mk.2 were three Special Edition upgrades for the turntable's 33⅓ birthday, 33⅓ being the standard rotational speed when playing LPs.
Trampolin Mark 2 (Introduced: 2006) The original Trampolin baseboard was made from MDF, rather than masonite, incorporating damping feet which were optimised for LP12 placement on heavy furniture. The Trampolin II is made from aluminium, and is said to offer an improvement.
Radikal (Introduced: 2009) The 'Radikal' system, priced at £2,500, comprises a "control box", DC motor and power supply which, according to Linn, offers new levels of speed accuracy, plus "radically reduced electrical and mechanical noise". The design goals included more accurate speed control, and reduced vibration and resonance. This is achieved by using on-board speed management system with automatic calibration, and use of a new motor with low magnetic field and electrical noise, located within a machined housing.[12]
Gives off no electromagnetic radiation so allowing for the Urika upgrade at the same time, a Radikal powered phonostage mounted inside the turntable on Mark 3 Trampolin.