Linn sondek lp12 servicing

Arguably one of hi-fi’s greatest success stories, especially for the Glasgow-based brand, the Linn LP12 will soon be celebrating its 50th birthday and has seen many improvements since its release in 1973.

Designed initially by Linn’s then CEO Ivor Tiefenbrun as he wasn’t satisfied by his hi-fi system’s sound quality, the LP12 was a revelation as this was a time where you just upgraded to bigger and better loudspeakers and amplifiers to improve your system. However, Ivor proved that his ‘Source first’ theory (or rubbish in, rubbish out as we like to call it) confirmed that no matter how good your loudspeakers and amplifiers were, if the turntable wasn’t picking up all the information from the record groove in the first place, how can the your system reproduce what’s been missed?

The 70s design really benefits from a caring service, and this is the best value upgrade you can give your turntable. There are many myths about the set-up of the LP12 with one of the most persistent being that they can easily go “out of tune”. The truth is that a well set up deck can stay in tune for many years. This is even when it has been transported long distances so long as care is taken when packing it, which we are happy to advise on. In fact, we find that most under-performing decks are simply not correctly set up when they arrive, yet with some care, attention to detail and patience, virtually all these ailments can easily be corrected, thus allowing the deck to perform to its full potential. However, it can sometimes be easy to overlook a compressed or poorly set-up suspension until you compare it with a well-sorted ‘dek. A simple service every 2 to 3 years comes highly recommended.

Nintronics offers a full servicing and upgrading of your turntable, specialising in the iconic Linn Sondek LP12 turntable. Servicing your LP12 is vital to keep it running and sounding the best it possibly can.

Our LP12 turntable service is £150 flat rate. starting with a complete strip down of the deck to just the plinth and top plate, to ensure the fit of the top plate to the plinth is just as it should be, which is critical to sound quality, and then a careful rebuild.

What’s included in the service

• Health check: A report back on the general condition of your LP12 covering all aspects such as wear to the spindle, motor and belt etc.
• Re-terminate mains plug if lose.
• Check wiring is pinned and run correctly and tightened appropiately
• Change bearing oil
• Clean and inspect Belt
• Clean and inspect motor
• Clean and inspect stylus
• Check cartridge alignment and tonearm balance. Corrected if needed.
• Included in the service costs are new replacement springs, bushes, nuts and washers
• General clean as we go, make sure your LP12 leaves us dust free and ready to crown the top of your HiFi again.
• Finally, without exception every LP12 will then sound tested in one of our demonstration rooms before being repacked for transportation.

This will revive your turntable and bring it back to the type of performance that had you fall in love with it in the first place.

IMPROVE THE BEST

While your LP12 is being serviced, why not treat it to an upgrade? While we have it in the workshop, we could make it even better than it was when you bought it.

The modular design of the Linn Sondek LP12 lends itself to upgrades and future proofing. Here at Nintronics, we can improve your already great turntable by using the following:

• Linn Trampolin
• Linn Radikal
• Linn Urika II
• Linn Keel
• Linn Kandid Moving-coil cartridge
• Linn Adikt Moving-magnet cartridge

There are even more options, so please call to discuss your needs. However, Linn’s own suggested upgrade path for increasing performance in a current spec LP12 is Power Supply --> Sub-chassis --> Tonearm --> Cartridge --> Phono stage. Naturally, should you have an older Sondek LP12, there may be other avenues to explore beforehand. We are, of course, happy to discuss the best route for you and your particular LP12.

WHILE YOU WAIT

Lastly, our LP12 services and upgrades can be carried out on a while-you-wait basis if you wish, provided you book a mutually convenient time with us in advance.