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 | | Posted: 20/10/07 |
| 'MAKES MUSIC SOUND REAL' | | Strengths:
I bought my LP12 in 1993 and it's been the one constant in my system. I've upgraded to a Lingo power supply and now have a Hadcock arm with Cartridge man Musicmaker Cartridge. It has a way of making music seem natural with a great sense of rythmn. I listen to as many turntables as I can at hifi shows or dealers but haven't heard another that makes me want to change. There are so many upgrades for the LP12 it will keep you amused for the rest of your life. Dealer servicing every 4 years a must as difference is quite dramatic when well set up. | | Weaknesses:
Sound staging can be a little vague and it doesn't look as good as some of the competition. I've heard the brand new all singing all dancing SE and it seemed rather expensive. | | Overall:
I have the Cirkus bearing but don't know if it is better with or without as haven't heard one without. It gets played almost daily and I hardly ever play cds.
If at 3am after several bottles of wine you are feverishly pulling out another 70's lost classic then you know your turntable is an LP12. Totally addictive! |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Build | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
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| | Posted: 02/07/07 |
| 'SUBLIME REPRODUCTION' | | Strengths:
Warmth,detailed reproduction,wonderful bass,midrange and treble. | | Weaknesses:
Little worth mentioning,but does need a good rack. | | Overall:
Although now in it's 12th year of ownership, still sounds wonderful and very engaging listening. Upgraded with Armageddon and Arro.Record surface noise almost zero.
Compact discs are not played in my house! |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Build | | 80% | | Value | | 100% |
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| | Posted: 25/06/07 |
| 'SECOND HAND FROM EBAY IS OK!' | | Strengths:
Stunning depth and detail, timing and rhythm are so mcuh more impressive than CD, so you listen to whole albums, and not skip tracks. Frquency range and dynamics may be technically inferior to a good CDP, but the sheer listening pleasure will convince | | Weaknesses:
Delicacy, and need for setting up, so you need a good dealer. Siting is critical, so fitting it into your living room wont be easy. | | Overall:
Iconic, I got hold of mine over 20 years after the legend was born, and whilst I took the risk of buying 2nd hand, its proved to be such excellenat value. The originla Ittok arm works fine, and after a dealer service and fitting a Goldring 1042 it rocks! |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Build | | 100% | | Value | | 100% |
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| | Posted: 26/02/07 |
| 'OLDER ONES ARE BEST' | | Strengths:
Put up against the very latest iteration of this turntable, my vintage 1977 model (Valhalla) fitted with Ekos and Arkiva gave an excellent account of itself. The later version was less coloured and leaner (sounding more like CD) but my turntable sounded superior in terms of pace, rhythm and dynamics. | | Weaknesses:
The felt mat is a dust trap and the early lids are easily scratched. | | Overall:
Buy one secondhand on eBay and forget the hi fi and listen to the music. |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Build | | 100% | | Value | | 80% |
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| | Posted: 04/01/07 |
| 'STUNNING MUSICAL SOUND.' | | Strengths:
Absolutely reliable, immediately available (no clamps !) - just lift the lid, put the disc on the platter, clean it, lower the arm and listen to the music. Close your eyes and the musicians could be in the room with you. Can be upgraded. | | Weaknesses:
Felt mat that gets dusty easily, I have replaced this with a Ringmat. Needs to be set up and maintained by a Linn dealer, paradoxically this is also a strength as it means that once set up on a level shelf I don't fiddle with it ! | | Overall:
I bought this turntable new in 1991 and have upgraded it over the years so that it now has a Lingo power supply, Ekos arm, Trampolin base board and Linn's T-Kable lead. It amazes me how the information hidden in the grooves of 30 or 40 year old vinyl discs has gradually become more apparent with each upgrade. It does not go out of adjustment so only needs dealer attention when a new cartridge is required.
There may well be better turntables available nowadays, but the LP12 still has the "magic" that makes listening to vinyl so much more enjoyable than CDs. |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Build | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
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| | Posted: 24/12/06 |
| 'ICONONIC DESIGN' | | Strengths:
Warm sound, build, pace and rhythm to the fore.
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Needs careful system matching. Not as dynamic with classical music compared to others. Will punish poorly recorded LPs. | | Overall:
The LP12 has legendary status and for a reason. However,with the recent resurgence of vinyl, other manufacturers are able to match the Sondek for sound. The set up is important - I use mine with Linn's own Ekos/Akito arm/cartridge. Overall, this is a top performer and the almost mystical aura of this deck will add to the sense of enjoyment this deck brings.It knocks spots of similarly priced CD players.
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| | | Performance | | 80% | | Build | | 80% | | Value | | 80% |
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| | Posted: 15/10/04 |
| 'Warm vinyl sound' | | Strengths:
Wonderful pace brings a great energy to the music. Valhalla power supply gives a neutral sound. Great mid range. If you like well recorded Sixties Jazz on Blue Note no better turntable | | Weaknesses:
Bass can be a bit lumpy | | Overall:
Buy one new or secondhand you won't regret it |
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Build | | 100% | | Value | | 80% |
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| | Posted: 19/10/04 |
| 'EARLIER ONES ARE BEST' | | Strengths:
Terrific sense of rhythm. It can hold a tune. | | Weaknesses:
Needs more regular servicing than other less delicate equipment. Don't try to set it up yourself unless v. knowledgeable. | | Overall:
This is standard kit for the 'Flat Earther' with a Naim 32.5/250 and Linn Isobariks/Kans. It's remarkably capable and makes CD sound embarrassing. It's not until you hear something of this quality that you will see how much better vinyl is than CD.
One important thing is that it has been updated through it's product life and some of the updates haven't all been embraced by Flat Earthers. Most particularly the Cirkus bearing upgrade is controversial and some prefer the pre Cirkus versions which some think are more coloured but more rhythmic.
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| | | Performance | | 100% | | Build | | 100% | | Value | | 100% |
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Average Rating: 5 out of 5
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