LINN Products

We are delighted to represent LINN products at DNA. I have had numerous pieces of LINN equipment in my system at home from LP12’s to amps to Loudspeakers. Despite being a whole system manufacturer it is the LP12 that most people think of when they think of LINN. We carry an extensive range of LP12 models and upgrades from Majik to Klimax level. We can build a deck to any specification for you to hear.

LINN LP12

The LP12 is an iconic turntable, it is probably one of the longest running audio products in History. Despite the appearance staying very similar to the original product it has undergone numerous upgrades which make a modern deck a very different beast to those units made in the early seventies. To bring an original deck up to the current spec would require pretty much every component in the deck to be replaced. To get a better idea of the changes that have taken place check out our LINN LP12 timeline. The advert picture below shows a very early example. complete with plinth and lid with Acrylic support prop. The earliest decks were supplied as motor units only with no plinth.

Buying a second hand deck can be a great way of getting an LP12 but caution and care must be taken over the specification and condition before laying out what can be a significant amount of money. Quite a lot of online sellers see current prices and assume their vintage deck is worth what a current model would be. Whilst a lot of the upgrades over the years can be retrofitted some cannot and make a significant difference to the performance. Some very early plinths are prone to warping which makes setting the suspension more challenging as the top plate no longer sits correctly. We would also recommend that versions with the spot welded stud on the top plate are much preferred to those without. Checking arm bearings are functioning correctly is also very important as an arm bearing rebuild costs £300-400.

LINN LP12 timeline

1972    The Linn Sondek LP12 is introduced onto the market. Early versions are sold as a motor unit only without a plinth. Later a version with a plinth was also made available. At the time LINN did not make arms and cartridges. The Grace arms and Supex cartridges were often used(LINN later became the UK distributor for these). Mechanics were manufactured by Castle precision Engineering. Serial number 0000 onwards.

1974    Mains switch changed from two buttons to single switch with mains neon. Motor control PCB was  changed from terminal strip to small circuit board. Sub-chassis strengthened by addition of strap, spot welded in place (performance upgrade). Main bearing liner material changed(Performance upgrade). Serial number 2000 onwards.

1978    Top-plate added two holes for 6 x 0.5 self tappers into wood block(makes the top plate more rigidly held and improves the performance. Serial number 23,000 onwards.

1979    Lid and hinges lid prop removed and hinges changed to spring loaded, self supporting. This was mainly an Aesthetic improvement. Serial number 27,000 onwards.

1981    Nirvana kit Improved material specification of many integral mechanical components. Improved suspension and stability(performance upgrade). Serial number 32,800 onwards.

1982    Valhalla power supply, electronic speed control with a sophisticated crystal controlled power supply. Isolates the rotation of the turntable motor from variations in the electrical supply(This offered a big performance upgrade and even though they don’t make these any more they are preferable to the Hercules version). Serial number 38,800 onwards.

1984    Plinth, enlarged corner blocks, strengthens and increases rigidity of plinth(this was very worthwhile, it not only improves the sound but also makes the plinth less prone to twisting over time). Serial number 53,000 onwards.

1984    Sub-chassis, added strengthening bar, spot welded in place. Increases rigidity and strength. late ’70s Attached strengthening bar with epoxy glue. Superior bond; increases rigidity. This is also a very worthwhile improvement and isn’t retro-fittable. We would recommend that if you have a deck without corner braces or this stud the best initial upgrade would be to consider swapping the deck mechanics for the latest version. This would be a massive upgrade. Serial number 54,100 onwards.

1986    Lid is changed for translucent type. This was a cosmetic update.

1987    Bearing housing, improved bearing liner material and thrust pad specification. Bearing liner machined to tighter tolerances, thus creating better speed stability. Changed to black oil. Tightened grinding tolerance(performance upgrade). Serial number 70,000 onwards.

1987    Armboard material changed to MDF core, laminated top and underside. Increases rigidity of armboard, creating improved platform for tonearm (performance and Aesthetic upgrade). Serial number 79,160 onwards.

1989    Motor thrust pad, motor thrust pad replaced with stainless steel ball bearing. Reduces motor noise(performance upgrade). Serial number 79,700 onwards.

1989    Grommets composition changed to a new harder, denser rubber. Improves performance of suspension. Serial number 81,000 onwards

1990    Lingo direct coupled power supply for the LP12, offers low noise oscillators, precision filtering, separate drive for both phases and electrical isolation from mains supply.

1991    Lingo has motor thrust pad small cap factory fitted (glued in position) to reduce noise level. Serial number 87,047 onwards.

1991    Valhalla has motor thrust pad small cap factory fitted (glued in position) to reduce noise level. Serial number 87,206 onwards.

1991    LP12 mechanics only, LP12 sold as a mechanical assembly only. Three power supply options available: Lingo, Valhalla and Basik. Valhalla and Basik (Basik PSU supplied with 45 rpm adaptor). Trampolin kit, suspended base board available as an upgrade, solid base board replacing hardboard base. Serial number 87,672 onwards.

1992    Top Plate with additional stud which improves the coupling of the top plate to the Plinth and secures the motor corner. Serial number 88,950 onwards.

1993    Cirkus LP12, Cirkus bearing and subchassis upgrade fitted as standard. These Cirkus decks had a larger and more accurately machined inner platter and new bearing as well as new springs, armboard and belt. Serial number 90,582 onwards.

1997    LINN launch a limited edition commemorative LP12  to mark the 25th anniversary of the LP12. Amongst other features, it bears a plaque etched with the signature of Linn’s founder Ivor Tiefenbrun.

2000    A 4th bolt is added near motor on top plate, fitted as standard. Required extra cross beam on plinth.

2001    New motor used (first new motor since original 1972).

2002    Maple plinth introduced adding to existing black, walnut, rosewood and afromosia options.

2006    Keel 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.

2009    Radikal power supply is introduced. This is the first power supply that actual monitors the speed of the platter via a tachometer that sits next to the pulley and adjusts the speed to ensure extremely accurate and stable speed of the platter.

2013    Full-spec limited-edition (40 in all) 40th anniversary LP12, plinth made from oak casks from Highland Park Distillery, priced at £25,000. This turntable also featured the Radikal Power supply and the Urika phono stage mounted inside the turntable.

2020    Karousel bearing is introduced to replace the Cirkus bearing that has been in production for 27 years. New materils, better tolerances and even smoother lower vibration that=n previous Cirkus bearing. The new Karousel has a removable sump to allow oil changes without removing the bearing. It also features a new clamp to secure it to the subchassis. This bearing achieves a large step change in performance for all decks. It is backwards compatible and will fit any deck which currently has a Cirkus bearing with no additional parts required.

We have a dedicated LP12 service area fully equipped with all the approved LINN setup accessories and jigs as well as a couple of bespoke jigs exclusive to DNA. This enables us to get the very best from your LP12. We can do everything from fitting a new stylus to a full strip down and rebuild.

I have have completed every LINN training course available on the LINN Akademy. I have also done the full LP12 build course from Majik to Klimax specification. Whatever specification of LP12 you have we can look after it.

If you are concerned about moving your LP12 we can come and pick it up if you are within a reasonable distance. In some instances we may even be able to do smaller upgrades in your home. To make sure you are getting the very best from your deck please get in touch.

LINN LP12 upgrades. Which should I prioritise?

Upgrades should be prioritised in the following order to maximise the performance of your turntable.

Bearing.

If your deck doesn’t have the Karousel bearing upgrade then this should be the fist upgrade you consider.

Power supply.

The latest Lingo 4 and Radikal PSU offer big improvements in performance to your deck and should be considered before you look at arm or sub-chassis upgrades.

Sub-chassis.

There are now 3 tiers of sub-chassis (standard, Kore and Keel)which all offer improved performance improvements over the older pressed steel glued subchassis. The top of the range (Keel) is really aimed at those customers using the Ekos arm but an Aro version is also available.

Arm

There are 3 tiers of arms available, the Majik, Akito and Ekos SE. The Majik arm is made by Jelco and offers great performance and value for money. The Akito comes as standard on the Akurate level deck and the Ekos SE as part of a Klimax level LP12.

Cartridge.

As per the rest of the range there are three tiers. The Adikt is the MM cartridge supplied with the Majik deck. The Krystal a low output MC cartridge supplied with the Akurate deck. The Kandid is a low output MC design that sits at the top of the range and comes with the Klimax level deck.

Phono pre-amplifier.

The Phono stage is the last one to consider in the upgrade path. There are two main options to consider. Internal or external. If you don’t mind an extra box then the Uphorik is an excellent external phono stage that comes in an Akurate case. If you already have the Radikal power supply then the obvious choice is to go for the Urika. This is built into a baseb-board of the LP12. It maximises the use of the Radikal which it draws its power from and it also allows the suspension in the deck to work better as the big arm lead on the arm is replaced with a cable from the Urika that  offers much less resistance to suspension movement. It also makes the signal path that the tiny signal from the MC cartridge has to travel much shorter making it less susceptible to interference. There are two versions of Urika depending on what your other system components are.

LINN are one of only a few companies that offer full systems from source to loudspeakers. Most of the products and components are manufactured onsite is their high tech HQ just outside of Glasgow. They have many proprietary technology such as , Katalyst, Space optimisation and Exakt. These technologies help make the equipment future proof and to get the most out of your system in your listening room. Long may it continue.

We can also carry out the LINN space optimisation in your home. Space optimisation will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your system by removing problematic room modes below 100Hz.

Our aim is simple. We want to bring you closer to the music you love, to feel every note, to experience your music with a clarity and power unlike anything you’ve ever heard.