The pictures I can see on the web, of the Ortofon & Empire versions, do not seem to have Made in Japan, on them.
Made In Denmark then…?
(If I had not always used Naim Phono Boards, I think I would want some of these… Very neat.)
I think I prefer the Naim boards, but these are a neat solution for running a LO MC into a MM phono input where no interchangeable board option exists.
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I bought an NAC42 back in 1983, so have used Naim Phono boards ever since. Just changed the boards - and the pre-amp…!!
(The only version I have not owned, in the 523K. All the other variants I either still own, or have owned. Simple & effective.)
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Not really. I reckon they should work with most LO MCs. Just remember that they do the job, and do it pretty well considering, but they are certainly not the last word performance-wise.
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Lovely 
Another happy fluted walnut plinth owner here, your deck looks lovely.
I like how the plinth seems to match the Isoblue, is that the oak finish from the 60 series or a special branch finish?
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Hi daddycool, thank you. No, it isn’t a special branch finish. It’s regular one from the 60 series in natural oak. I also love the neat looking of Isoblue. It can hide cable spaghetti well as well.
Love that plinth, just looks awesome.
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Thank you. It is a new made by Linn.
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All being well I’ll see it in the flesh next week when I meet up with my local dealer, I think that fluted walnut may be my choice of plinth for my LP12.
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It has taken me a good few days to do this but I have read every post on this thread, looked at every picture and tried to absorb as much information as I can so that I get my first LP12 as right as I possibly can, I do not foresee me going down the upgrade aisle with my shopping basket once I have my LP12 in situ, unless…
I have to say that the thread has been absolutely brilliant, a thoroughly enjoyable read, you LP12 owners are an enthusiastic bunch, I can see just how proud you are of your LP12’s and the interaction you have with it, the lengths that you go to to get that last bit of detail from the grooves is astonishing.
There are some truly wonderful LP12’s out there, I would hate to contemplate just how much some of you have spent on your systems but I have cameras and lenses that are worth a few 000’s so know how easily it is to spend money on something you get enjoyment from.
If I have to raise an issue it is the lack of ‘new’ LP12 owners on the thread, I didn’t see many ‘Majik’ level LP12’s and saw probably less than a handful of mentions for the Krane set-up Majik. I presume that people buying into the LP12 range at this level may not have Naim gear or be racing to join this thread and post images.
Questions and thoughts;
If people go back to their first LP12, before any upgrades were sought, bought and applied, how does the basic Majik of today compare to the off the shelf LP12’s of decades past?
Where does the new Krane tonearm sit in comparison with other Linn tone arms, is it a stick with it tonearm or upgrade it to something else in due course tonearm?
That nice Peter Swain has put together a proposed LP12 for me comprising of a new plinth, bearing and other bits that come in Linn’s £2100 ish build your own box, Peter has then combined a mix of parts to complete the build. But somewhere is a little nag (wife) who thinks that my money would be better spent on a fully new Majik LP12.
Whilst I am happy with the idea of Peter building me that LP12, my little nag is going to have a say in how our money is going to be spent, I am certainly not going to be able to sneak an LP12 past her and into my listening room without her noticing so having her buy-in on this purchase is going to be needed.
This will be my last turntable, I have no plans to buy another so for me the LP12 is it, other than the previously mentioned external power supply I don’t really want to add much to it, but if something comes along that will dramatically improve the turntable then I am happy to consider it subject to it being financially viable.
So to the LP12 users on here which direction would you go in my situation.
Apologies for the length of the post.
Thanks.
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A very interesting post, and I can only give you my opinion in the knowledge that there is no single path of wisdom here.
First of all kudos when you’ve indeed gone through all 4132 previous posts! And yet there is also LP12 knowledge and experience locked in several other topics.
I once posted this for @Mike_S everyone deserves their own clean sheet new LP12 perhaps it helps.
The only thing that is not right with a brand new Majik LP12 is its one-speed very basic power supply. That is easily corrected with the Minos board by Valhalla Electronics. It’s a £250 product that Cymbiosis themselves list on their website, as it is so obviously a sensible better starting point. This means they can install it for you at purchase (so with trade-in of the Majik psu at the same time).
Focus on selecting your plinth of preference and take it from there. Use the Majik LP12 for a a good while as is, and then see if you want to move up. This is all part of the LP12 experience in my opinion, good luck on your way forward!
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Thanks, there is good advice in there for me to consider, I have just reread your other post and see exactly where you are coming from.
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Peter knows the LP12 inside out and from every angle so to have someone of his knowledge experience and access to the goods is paramount.
There are older but higher spec components that have not been surpassed but at their price have been left out of new Majik equation but being able to cherry pick the rest to a price is a real advantage.
You could and probably will have a much higher spec deck than Majik but not too much more than Majik price.
Everything in the deck is repairable and replaceable so the only bit you have to like to look at is the plinth and mine still looks new since 1987 but almost nothing else of that basic deck now remains. 
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Your deck is a youngster 
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My deck is now a Klimax at Kandid level one. 
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Thanks for this feedback.
Peter’s reputation goes before him, he clearly does know the LP12 inside out and back to front, and yes my build may be spec’d better than a new Majik but for the budget I have it means that some of the parts in his build are well respected as you mention but aged, I accept that compromise.
But what if as daddycool mentions I started with a brand new Majik and then as many of you did when you first had your LP12, listened and enjoyed my vinyl before deciding on an upgrade path.
This is my dilemma, accept the compromise or start with a clean slate.
How was your first LP12 put together, how long did you listen to that TT before you went down the upgrade path.
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@Oxfordian
Your welcome.
Well then I did buy mine brand new and the only parts remaining from that are my lid top plate and plinth and the cross brace or wiring strap.
It didn’t come with an arm because at that time you could buy a chassis set.
But I did upgrade my arm and cartridge about 9 months later. 
The fundamental part to start is the bearing then Power supply then arm and cartridge.
It really is that personal choice but I had no option all that time ago.
I did enjoy the journey but at considerable cost but managed to trade or move my previous bits.
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You did offer great advice there and all I’ve done is checked the set-up of the used LP12 and are enjoying it as it is, and it is very good.
I’m still not so keen on the value of the individual upgrades on an older setup. I think it’s easier buying a used setup at the specification you can afford and accept that it’s used, or starting with a clean slate with one of the package systems.
Hard to go wrong with a decent LP12 though.
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