Linn LP12 Turntable – Cherry / Lingo Power Supply / Akito Tonearm / Dynavector 10×5 Cartridge

The classic Linn Sondek LP12 turntable is one of the oldest and most important audio components there is, and the fact that it still in production today, albeit with a few modifications along the way, says something about that original design. With well over 100,000 units produced in its nearly 50-year history it has become something of a legend to many audiophiles across the world. Our example is in the Cherry finish, with a Lingo Power Supply Unit, Akito tonearm, Dynavector 10×5 Cartridge. It is in good working order but would of course benefit from a full service and set up. The plinth is in good condition, but there are some marks on the lid. It will be supplied in a new set of Linn packaging, with our normal three month warranty, although please note that it does not cover the fitted cartridge.
Linn Say…
Linn Sondek LP12 Turntable
Linn Products have always stated that the turntable is the most important part of a high fidelity system. If you don’t get a good signal off the record then it doesn’t matter how good the rest of your system is, the sound will be bad. When upgrading your system there is a strict hierarchy to observe. After the turntable, the next most important component is the arm, followed by the cartridge. Once the turntable system has been optimised, the next component to choose is the amplifier. Finally, the last link in the chain is the loudspeaker
The Linn Sondek LP12 reference transcription turntable has been setting the standards by which others are judged for over 30 years. Each component of the Sondek LP12 has been painstakingly developed to optimise information retrieval, because information lost at the source is lost forever, regardless of the amplifier or loudspeaker quality. Linn is involved in every stage of the record and playback process. We can therefore check the signal at each step of the hi-fi chain, which is why we know what makes the Sondek LP12 a very special turntable: its perfect speed accuracy at 33rpm and 45rpm, its immunity against acoustical feedback, its low noise main bearing with mirror finish, and our legendary precision manufacturing, all of which ensure the pitch accurate faithful reproduction of the original source.
The Keel is a combined sub-chassis, armboard and collar machined from one solid piece of aircraft grade aluminium alloy, providing rigid support to the tonearm and platter for even more accurate reproduction of your vinyl collection. There are no screws, fixings or joins between each part, which significantly reduces vibration for enhanced audio performance. The Keel has been engineered to maintain the same mass and centre of gravity as achieved with the separate sub-chassis, armboard and collar, ensuring that it integrates seamlessly with the suspension system of every Sondek LP12 turntable. The Keel is produced in a standard black anodised finish to complement the simple design of the turntable.
Features:
Extremely low-noise patented main bearing
Perfectly balanced high inertia platter
Strong, solid kiln-dried wood plinth
Heavy gauge non-magnetic, brushed satin, stainless steel plate
Highly efficient 3 point spring damped suspension
24-pole precision synchronous low noise, high torque motor
Precision pulley and Neoprene flat belt
Specifications:
Introduced: 1972
Type: Belt drive analogue turntable with 3-point suspension
Platter: 2 pieces, made of non-magnetic Mazak 8. Production tolerance 0.025 mm, optimal weight distribution
Platter mat: Felt
Main bearing: 1-Point bearing, mirror finish, oil bath
Suspension: 3-Point-Subchassis, 3 adjustable precision springs
Motor: High torque 24-Pole Synchronous motor, fully screened and mechanically decoupled from main bearing
Drive: Neoprene flat belt, concentric precision pulley (0.01 mm)
Speed accuracy: 0.03%
Speeds: 33 rpm, 45 rpm
Power consumption: 13W
Dimensions: 445 (W) x 356 (D) x 140 (H) mm – Approximately 70 mm required at rear and 250 mm above the unit to permit opening of lid
Weight 10.0 kg
Linn Lingo
Linn products have always said that the turntable is the most important part of a high fidelity system. If you don’t get a good signal off the record then it doesn’t matter how good the rest of your system is, the sound will be bad.
When upgrading your system there is a strict hierarchy to observe. After the turntable, the next most important component is the arm., followed by the cartridge. Once the turntable system has been optimised, the next component to choose is the amplifier. Finally, the last link in the chain is the loudspeaker.
At the heart of the Lingo are two very low noise crystal oscillators derived from the Linn Numerik digital recording system – one for 33 rpm and one for 45 rpm. The switch on the turntable selects the appropriate oscillator, whose output is fed into a synchronous counter to produce a 50 Hz or 67.5 Hz square wave for 33 rpm and 45 rpm respectively.
As the LP12 motor runs quietest when driven with a clean sinusoidal waveform, a precision filter is employed in the Lingo to remove harmonics from the square wave leaving only a pure sinusoid.
The most uniform torque is delivered from the motor when both phases are drive at ninety degrees with respect to one another. This is achieved by a ninety degree phase shift network after the filter. The two resulting sinusoids drive two high voltage Class A amplifiers, the outputs of which drive the two motor windings.
The Lingo uses stall detection circuitry to feed the motor with a higher voltage for increased start-up torque. When the platter reaches the selected speed, this load sensing circuitry reduces the power output. From then on, the motor just maintains the platters own inertia to keep it going silently.
A toroidal transformer on the PCD and a mains filter give a very high degree of electrical isolation from the mains voltage supply
Dimensions: 157 (W) x 326 (D) x 75 (H) mm
Linn Akito Tonearm
The Akito incorporates much of the technology developed for the Ekos tonearm. In order to achieve maximum strength and rigidity, high performance adhesives are used. The one-piece headshell and the bearing housing are high-pressure diecast for added strength. The new larger diameter bearing assembly minimises friction and play. Every detail of the arm has been optimised. This arm sets new standards of performance at this price level.
Specifications:
Lateral bearing friction: < 50mg
Horizontal bearing friction: < 50mg
Effectiveness mass: 10g
Tracking weight adjustment: 0 – 3g
Cartridge range: 2 – 10g
Pivot to stylus: 229mm
Stylus overhang: 18mm
Effective length: 211mm