Linn LP12 Turntable / Hercules Power Supply / LVX Plus Tonearm / K18 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. Our example is fitted with a Linn Basik Plus Tonearm and K18 MkII Cartridge. It has also undergone a series of aftermarket modifications and upgrades, including a new plinth, Hercules power supply, acrylic base and feet, and a new platter mat. Cosmetically there are a few minor blemishes all of which can be seen in the photographs including poorly polished top plate. It is in good working order but unserviced. The turntable will be supplied professionally packaged in Lin packing and comes with our normal three month warranty. Please note that as we have no exact knowledge of the amount of use and wear to the cartridge this is not covered by our warranty.
Linn Say…
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.
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
33rpm + 45rpm
Specifications:
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-Pol-Synchronous motor, fully screened and mechanically decoupled from main bearing
Drive: Neoprene flat belt, concentric precision pulley (0.01 mm)
Speed accuracy: 0.03%
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 kg
Linn Basik Plus Tonearm
The Linn Basik Plus and Basik LV-X were designed according to many of the same criteria as the Linn Ittok LV-II. The Basik arms are intended to provide substantially better performance than has heretofore been available in a moderately priced tonearm, and will outperform arms which are vastly more expensive. They are the obvious choice for use on the Linn Sondek turntable, where monetary or other considerations preclude the use of the Ittok. They mount on the same armboard template as the Ittok, making a later upgrade extremely easy. They are also compatible with most transcription turntables, but it is well to remember that the turntable is by far the most important component. In our experience a Linn Basik tonearm with its original cartridge mounted on a Linn Sondek turntable will outperform a Linn Ittok tonearm with an Asak cartridge, mounted on any other turntable.
The Basik arms incorporate full gimbal ball bearings, and a large diameter straight arm tube. The Basik Plus utilizes a non-detachable headshell. The Basik LV-X incorporates a special detachable headshell which uses a C-clamping arrangement. This approach allows the headshell junction to be almost as rigid as a non-detachable type, at the cost of a slight increase of the effective mass of the arm.
The Basik Arms are suitable for use with a wide range of magnetic cartridges. The Basik Plus, with its more rigid non-detachable headshell, is suitable for use with a variety of moving coil cartridges.
Specifications:
Linn Basik Plus Tonearm
Effective Mass: 10g
Tracking Force: 0 to 3g
Cartridge Weight: 2 to 10g
Effective Length: 229mm
Overhang: 18mm
Mounting Distance: 211mm
Lateral Bearing Friction: <50mg
Horizontal Bearing Friction: <50mg
Linn K18 MkII Cartridge:
A high quality moving-magnet cartridge to suit a wide variety of tonearms
Metal body for strength and rigidity
Replaceable stylus, incorporating a locking system to maintain mechanical integrity
Nude diamond stylus and gold contacts
Specifications:
Type: Moving-Magnet
Stylus: Vital
Tracking Force: 1.5 g – 2.0 g
Cantilever: Tapered aluminium
Coil Wire: PCOCC
Pin Connection: 1.2 mm gold-plated PCOCC
Recommended Load Resistance: 47 kOhms
Weight: 7.9 g
Separation @ 1 kHz: > 30 dB
Channel Balance @ 1 kHz: 0.5 dB
Output @ 5 cm/s @ 1 kHz: 4.5m V