Linn LP12 Turntable – Maple / Roksan Nima Tonearm / AT VM95E 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 Roksan Nima tonearm, and Audio Technica ATVM95E Cartridge. It has also been extensively modified with an aftermarket Maple Plinth, a Linn Cirkus upgrade, Hercules Power Supply, SRM Tech Silent Base, and Origin Live Drive Belt. Cosmetically the plinth does have a few minor marks and scratches all of which can be seen in the photographs, plus there is one blemish on the lid. It is in good working order, but it would of course benefit from a full service & set up. It will be supplied in original factory packaging, along 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
Cirkus Upgrade:
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. This in turn minimises the risk of turntable platter movement with respect to the sub-chassis and arm. Even the slightest movement will introduce audible degradation to the reproduced signal. Together the changes to the bearing and the sub-chassis make an enormous difference to the overall performance of the turntable.
Roksan Nima Tonearm:
The NIMA is Roksan’s renowned unipivot entry level tonearm and it uses very high quality van den Hul cable for optimum detail retrieval and performance.
The unique design of the transit locking mechanism of the bearing assembly not only provides a safe transportation method, but also avoids damage if the tonearm is accidentally lifted off its bearing. The counterweight is decoupled and designed to mount off-centre, allowing easy Azimuth correction. The inclusion of VTA adjustment provides optimum alignment for almost any cartridge.
The combination of polished acrylic headshell, silver anodised aluminium tubing and mirror chromed counterweight enhances NIMA’s looks and conveys the true lightness and neutrality of this very special arm.
Features:
Unipivot design for optimum detail retrieval
Ten individual machined parts
Aluminium alloy and stainless steel construction
Transit locking mechanism
Decoupled high quality counterweight
Anti-skate mechanism
Specifications:
Bearing: Unipivot
Arm Tube: Aluminium
Effective Length: 240 mm
Overhang: 17.5 mm
Distance from Record Centre: 222.5 mm
Effective Mass: 15.3 g
Arm Board Thickness: 7 – 20 mm (max.)
Recommended Cartridge Weight: 5 – 12 g
Recommended Tracking Weight: 1.5 – 3.5 g
Internal Wiring: Silver-plated OFC
SRM Tech Silent Base:
The ‘Silent Base’ shares important design features of our acclaimed Silent Stage 1 & 2 Isolation Platforms – hence the name. Designed to replace the resonant hardboard base of the deck, the SB is made from rigid black 10mm Acrylic and uses the same black chromium spikes (and spike dampers) as the Silent Stage platforms. Suspended sub-chassis decks need a solid, non-resonant base and spikes are the ideal support in this situation. Small rubber feet just do not allow the suspension to work properly. Acrylic is inherently non-resonant and is a superb material for a solid base board.
Make no mistake – the Silent Base will dramatically improve the sound of your deck… It has even amazed us – the LP12 sounds better in every conceivable way – cleaner throughout the whole frequency spectrum, vastly reduced surface noise, better imaging etc. Apart from the sound quality gains, the Silent Base also has three side benefits – easy suspension adjustment, easy levelling and finally, it really does improve the look of the turntable!