Ariston RD40 Turntable / Linn Basik LVV Tonearm

Here we have a vintage turntable from Scottish company Ariston. Our RD40 comes in OK condition and is fitted with a Linn Basik LVV tonearm. All the basics work as they should (Motor, bearing, Tonearm but the suspension needs a good fettle, maybe even replacement springs – a bit of a project for someone so being sold for spare/repair. Please note the cartridge fitted is a freebie (no stylus) VMS Ortofon.
Ariston Say….
With the RD40, our latest turntable design has started a revolution. The RD40 is outstanding value for such high quality.
Basically the RD40 system consists of three substantial aluminium castings. These castings make up the base, the chassis and the platter (which is ‘dished’ slightly concave). We have avoided the less expensive route, adopted by many manufacturers, of using glass as material for the platter and, as a feature are able to include a record clamp, in conjunction with the concave platter. This laminates the disc mat and platter interface, reducing the vinyl resonance and creating one impedance for the entire assembly as opposed to the more common two from disc and platter. No sacrifice has been made in the precision parts such as the bearings or housings. For the RD40, we have retained the same successful single-point bearing common to other turntables in the range.
The suspension (for which patents are pending) is contained in three satellites positioned according to the turntable centre-of-gravity with the Ariston tone arm fitted. If heavier tone arms are to be used, Ariston supply mass rings to retain the correct centre of gravity.
Specifications:
Speeds: 33.3 and 45 rpm
Two piece fully machined concave platter with record clamp
Precision made single point bearing
Closed transmission loop isolation
Linn Say….
Linn’s first use of the word Basik, as a product name, followed the fifth Los Vegas Consumer Electronics show when Ivor commissioned a Japanese firm to produce a quality basic tonearm.
The idea was that it could be partnered with the Sondek LP12 to provide a cost effective entry level front end. The arm was typical of the Japanese mass market preference at the time for European styled polished alloy S-shaped designs.
The arm mounting arrangement was the same as the highly robust one that was used for the top line Linn Ittok LV II and was a development of an Audio Technica design. It has since come to be known as the Linn mount. In keeping with the use of the letter k at the end of Sondek and Ittok, Linn christened the new budget arm Basik LV-V (for Los Vegas Five).
Specifications:
Effective Length: 229 mm
Stylus Overhang: 18 mm
Offset Angle: 24°
Pivot To Stylus: 211 mm