Looking at that spec it looks like basically a Majik level turntable but it is not up to current spec because it appears that the Cirkus bearing has been retrofitted in place of the new Karousel bearing which is significantly superior. The current Majik also has a different tone arm but I’m not sure which is preferable.
Phone call to the lovely Paul at Graham’s - nice new fluted cherry plinth ordered. Yippee! Much as I like my newish flat plinth, I always missed my original 1983ish fluted.
The flutebox rides again (in 2022)!
Are you saying it’s overpriced then? I’m thinking max 2k GBP LP12 but not sure what I should expect getting since like all LP12 have different specs and add ons.
No, I am not saying its over priced… IMO, it seems to be around Majik level and is priced at about 55% of a new Majik LP12.
As I said - are YOU willing to pay £1,900 for it…? Only you can decide that.
(I struggle to work out prices for current LP12’s. Mine is like Grandfathers Axe, or Triggers Broom… It was only £340 when I bought it, in 1981…!!)
I think it should be good value, especially as you would be getting it from a main Linn dealer. As I said above, it’s really a question of whether you are bothered about it being lower spec than the current Majik - the most important aspect of this is the newish Karousel bearing which has been acclaimed by Linn users generally. To upgrade from the Cirkus bearing to Karousel is £750. If you can, as advised above, you really need to compare one with the Rega and see what you think. Otherwise I would consider carefully what you intend with vinyl - if it’s an important source and you like what the Linn does, you may be tempted to start upgrading the Linn and it might be better to aim higher up the Linn ladder to start with.
Vinyl is my secondary source so I’m pretty relaxed on not getting trapped in the upgrade universe in this case. Mainly enjoy the looks of them (on Fraim too) and want as much as possible for 18-2000 GBP Sounds like a fair price given the specs then. Thanks!
Maybe, possibly, probably gonna end up eating those words. Vinyl is addictive like nothing else in this hobby.
I’ve had my vinyl journey madness done and behind me but sure know what you mean
Given that this is a well established Linn dealer - and there are dealers like Cymbiosis or What You See and Hear who know this product oh so well I would be more than happy if it was coming from such a dealer
It is 55% of the current - and a lot of LP12 have been rebuilt . I would ensure the dealer sets it up and puts a decent guarantee
And…just changed the cherry to rosenut, which looks like it matches my rack (Fraim is dark ) & TT shelf better! Nice and rich - the natural cherry looked a little light.
Lovely plinth. I’m a big fan of Indian Rosewood too.
Getting closer getting this one now. You think it will visually match my all black Fraim? It will add contrast but I think it can come out good.
Just noticed you’ve swopped out the Ash Design rack.
We used to have one of those and liked it a lot. Really nice looking bit of kit
Then, later, it didn’t fit a new room / different system and we let it go.
The new arrangement in your photo looks good too.
Thanks! Just ordered it. It will be shipped to me so the retailer will remove the arm and bottom plate and the black part the logo is printed on, for me to assemble on arrival. He talked about placing it between two chairs since you shall not put it upside down. Will get full instructions on the phone and by pics and he said it was easy fixed. It’s fully adjusted and service made just now. Looking forward to see how it performs. The looks is no worries at least
Thanks Ratrat. I like Fraim but it’s so wide. This seems the next best solution.
Peter Swain has published full LP12 assembly instructions (and more based on his extensive experience) on the Cymbiosis website. These can also be accessed through the Kabin.
Here is mine, purchased 1981.
First shot is from 1982 as it was not bought with the Ittok as I couldn’t afford it with my original purchase the year before. I think it came with the cheapest Linn arm at the time. Note the original (& best in my opinion!), smoked lid!
Next is the same basic deck with black plinth fitted around 1992/94 to match new black Ekos & black rack the rest of the all black equipment that was in beneath it.
Finally the current & final (except for future worn/failed part replacements) version with walnut plinth from May 2019. This goes with my custom built walnut hi-fi unit & walnut ProAc speakers. I actually prefer rosewood but my listening room is quite small & the darker wood, in my view, would have made the room look smaller & a bit repressive.
The only original ‘bits’ are the top plate, outer platter, lid & hinges. Pleased to say that the lid remains totally unmarked, as can be seen in the system image. I always used the deck with the lid on & down, never hearing any difference at all with the lid off. The arm was re-wired & serviced by Linn in 2019 when the arm lift was replaced by a modern one as the original was prone to sticking occasionally.
Finally, a suggestion Linn may care to develop to celebrate the LP12’s 50th anniversary, the Sondek LP12 Artists Edition…
@Canaryfan A lovely A&R Cambridge amp I think(?) in the first picture. My big sister’s boyfriend had one of these, which I remember listening to with his rega turntable at their university digs one summer on Anglesey. Their place overlooked the Menai straits and Snowdonia beyond. Many moons ago… Happy days… I don’t know what model the rega was but I remember it had a black plinth with a wood surround and an s-shaped arm. This was around the time of the royal wedding! I think system was the trigger for my interest. I finally got a Rega Planar 3, Creek 4040 amp and a pair of Coniston R speakers once I started work in the mid 80s. A little off subject I know, but there you go.
My LP12 superseded a Rega 3 which fits your description to a ‘T’. As you say, around the time of the Royal wedding.
The LP12 has outlasted that marriage by some considerable time…