I know you have shown them before but those SBLs are gorgeous!
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Aside from anything else, that’s just a really nice “close up” of that wonderful wood plinth.
Great photograph. Good shout for solid plinth.
Thanks. I do still have a soft spot for fluted plinths though, particularly oak or, even more so, ebony. But I’m also very fond of the unfluted Woodsong wenge which I currently have.
No, I sold that and got a Krystal, which I kept for a few years until a couple of weeks ago when I upgraded to a Kandid to take advantage of Linn’s offer of a ‘free’ Karousel bearing. Sadly, even though my LP12 is now quite high spec, it’s still outperformed by the ND555.
There’s a pic of my current LP12, just five posts back.
More flutes.
1986 Linn Sondek LP12, Afromosia plinth, braced internally. Also, with Valhalla PSU and mid 80’s style chassis and bearing, (pre Cirkus), etc.
All remarkably simple and works just fine.
Until very recently, completely original with little or no work all these years. Many years of sterling service.
It came from Sound Advice in Loughborough. (Remember Derek anyone)? Which is the same place my much loved Epos ES14’s came from. IIRC a few years later, late 80’s. But that’s another story.
My LP12 is currently undergoing service and some upgrade work. Hence the arm missing.
The tonearm - Linn Ittok LVII - is away with Audio Origami for some TLC - service and check over the bearings - after 34 years great work.
Members interesting in details of the work during this project can see pics being posted to “Show us what’s inside”, (or maybe simply follow other postings from my profile).
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Sure. I saw the one above. Great photo and I love the wood plinth on that one.
It’s a good shout for solid plinth
Hmmm. Fascinating.
Any thoughts or comments on the differences (character) between Troika and Krystal ?
Nice… 
Good to see another ‘vintage’ LP12, in ‘fluted’ Afro, still doing service.
My LP12 also came from Sound Advice, back in the day. As did my 250…
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My Troika had been rebuilt by ESC, but it never seemed to be as enjoyable as I remember a new Troika sounding, but that was different system, different room etc.
The Krystal was OK, maybe a bit better (more analytical?) than the rebuilt Troika, but again there had been other changes in the turntable: the Troika was with Kore, Akurate Radikal, Linn plinth, SS top plate and Linn Silvers; the Krystal was with Keel, Klimax Radikal, Woodsong wenge plinth, Tangerine Karmen top plate and Chord Super Sarum. So any difference attributable to the cartridge was probably lost in the mix!
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Thanks very much for those thoughts.
I’ve recently been musing Krystal or maybe a retro approach with a Goldring rebuilt Troika, (a nostalgic trip down memory lane to an earlier time with my LP12).
I’m currently thinkingTroika, just for fun. (As I get lots of neutral and analytic with other sources I have here).
Thanks again. That was helpful 
I’m in a similar position albeit a fair way behind you on specs. My LP12 is completely outclassed by my NDX2. For me the investment needed to get it up to spec is bordering on not being worth while, this doesn’t stop me spending a fortune on LPs though! My next bit of kit will almost certainly be a ND555 and CD 555PS as trying to get an LP12 upgraded to this level is er… difficult.
Another LP12 from sound advice, great dealer.
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Just back this morning from Karousel Klinik together with a nice new black phono cable. Tranquil now back in its box.
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What a lovely picture!
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Very nice! My Rega-equipped LP12 will never see light like that, as it is down in my ‘family cave’.
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This LP12 has been with me in various guises since 1990. Keel, Karmen, Radikal, Karousel, Ekos SE, Skale with a DV XV1S. I’ve not gone for the Trampoline (no base board fitted) or Linn/ Naim phono stages, instead using a Whest ps.30.rdt se. The only upgrade to the LP12 I’m considering is an XV1T, but I want to add a 2nd 555PS to my ND555 first. Currently the LP12 beats the streamer on SQ fairly easily.
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This is my new Sondek purchased earlier this year for a new system in our small study. It started out as a Majik LP12 but has been fitted with a refurbished Lingo 1, Ekos 2 and hardly used pre-Cirkus bearing. It’s partnered with a nice pair of Kan 1s that have always been gently used (never put into storage) and serviced 42.5/110. Despite owning a Klimax LP12, Klimax Kontrol, etc. in the past, this is the best system I’ve ever had. Love it. Obviously, my taste is not like most peoples but it keeps me glued to the sofa.
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Great system (why complicate things?).
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