Compiled by Tony Magee
Linn Sondek LP12
The Linn Sondek LP12 (often shortened to Sondek or LP12) is a transcription turntable produced by Glasgow-based Linn Products, manufacturers of hi-fi, home theatre and multi-room audio systems. Its name is derived from the 12" vinyl LP (long play gramophone record).
Hi-Fi Choice reviewers voted the LP12 "the most important hi-fi component ever sold in the UK" and The Absolute Sound ranked it the second most significant turntable of all time in 2011. Linn named their flagship CD player the Sondek CD12.
The Absolute Sound list is:
10 - Walker Diamond MK III
9 - Well-Tempered table (1979)
8 - Oracle Delphi (1979)
7 - Panasonic SP-10 (1970)
6 - Garrard 301 (1954)
5 - Thorens TD-124/TD-160 (1957)
4 - Goldmund Studio (1985)
3 - Sota Star Sapphire (1981)
2 - Linn Sondek LP12 (1972)
1 - AR-XA (1961)
The Sondek LP12 turntable, introduced in 1972, by founder and chairman Ivor Sigmund Tiefenbrun, uses a suspended sub-chassis design and a patented tightly toleranced single-point bearing. The LP12 has evolved since its introduction, but its basic suspended sub-chassis design has remained. The design was identical to the Ariston RD11 and similar to the Thorens TD150, both in turn based on the Acoustic Research XA turntable that was launched in 1961. The XA was created by renowned audio pioneer Edgar Villchur.
Ivor Sigmund Tiefenbrun MBE (born March 1946) is the founder and chairman of Linn Products Ltd, Glasgow-based manufacturers of high-fidelity audio equipment and home theatre equipment. He was influential in the manufacture and retail of British audio in the 1970s and 1980s, and was appointed MBE by Elisabeth II in 1992.
“Linn didn't invent the turntable, we simply understood that there was more information on an LP record than people were capable of accessing, so we applied our understanding of engineering to extracting it.”
Ivor Tiefenbrun, 2007
Price list as of 2025
Linn Majik $6,995
Linn Accurate $16,995
Linn Selekt $24, 995
Linn Klimax $54,995
Linn Sondek upgrade path
1972: Original LP 12 released.
1974: Power switch changed from red sideways rocker to red push button
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The original design: Basic power supply - just a smoothing capacitor and a resistor, original silver suspension springs. |
1981: Nirvana new suspension springs and grommets. Original first generation springs were grey metal. Replacement upgrade springs were black
1982: Valhalla: total rethink on the power supply. Smoothing capacitor replaced with advanced circuit board crystal oscillator power control unit. Not unlike Technics quartz lock control
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Linn Valhalla power supply. You can also see the suspension springs are black, so this one has had the Nirvana upgrade as well. |
A Hong based version of this was released a few years later called Hercules. It fitted in exactly where Valhalla went. Some Valhallas were breaking down due to age and not economical to repair. Hercules offered a 45 speed as well. Very economical at AU$500 (in 2017).
1990 Lingo upgrade. External power supply, offering two quartz crystal speeds.
1991: Trampoline base board and feet. Significant upgrade from the original masonite and felt feet
1993: Cirkus upgrade - new precision bearing
2001: New motor (first new motor since original 1972 one)
2002 Maple plinth introduced adding to existing black, walnut, rosewood and afromosia options.
2006: Keel replacement solid aluminium sub-chassis
2006: Trampoline Mark 2 - base board made from aluminium
2009: Radikal Control box DC motor and power supply
2013: Full-spec limited-edition (40 in all) 40th anniversary LP12, plinth made from oak casks from Highland Park distillery, priced at £25,000.
2018: Lingo 4 power supply, including dual speed AC motor
2022: Karousel New single point bearing, replacing Cirkus bearing
Alternate upgrade path:
1972 LP12 turntable introduced.
1974 Main bearing liner changed. Sub-chassis strengthened by addition of strap, spot welded in place. Motor control circuit changed from terminal strip to small PCB. Mains switch changed from two buttons to single with mains neon. [s/n 2,000]
1978 Top plate modified adding two holes for 6 x 0.5 self tappers into wood block. [s/n 23,000]
1979 Lid prop removed, hinges changed to spring loaded, self-supporting. [s/n 27,000]
1981 February. Nirvana mechanical components. [s/n 32,826]
1982 May. Valhalla crystal-driven electronic power supply made standard. [s/n 38,794]
1984 New clear lid. [s/n ~52,600]
1984 Enlarged plinth corner bracing. [s/n 53,000]
1984 June. Sub-chassis strengthening bar epoxy glued instead of spot welded. [s/n 54,101]
1985 August. Cap head screws on bearing housing. [60,383]
1985 September. Diode modification to Valhalla board [s/n 61,090]
1985 December. Strengthening blocks on corners of plinth.
1986 Suspension springs improved.
1987 March. New bearing housing, New Formica and MDF armboard. [s/n 69,161]
1987 April. New springs. [s/n 69,591]
1987 Bearing improved with better lining material and tighter tolerances. Change to black oil. Suspension springs ground to improved tolerance. Arm board composition improved. [s/n 70,000]
1989 Motor thrust pad changed. Valhalla surge guard modification. PCB mains lead (UK). [s/n 79,700]
1989 New MDF armboard, laminated top and bottom. [s/n 79,160]
1989 Harder suspension grommets fitted. [s/n 81,000]
1990 External Lingo power supply available as add-on.
1991 Motor thrust pad cap added to Lingo models. [s/n 87,047]
1991 Valhalla board prototype with 45RPM (never went into production, codename "Wakonda") [s/n 87,047]
1991 Motor thrust pad cap added to Valhalla models. [s/n 87,206]
1991 Introduction of LP12 Basik, a stripped down version of the turntable [s/n 87,672]
1991 Solid base board replaces hardboard. [s/n 87,672]
1991 Trampolin base board with isolating feet available as an option [s/n 87,672].
1992 Improved top plate fixing. [s/n 88,950]
1993 Cirkus upgrade (larger and better machined inner platter and new bearing, new springs, armboard, belt) fitted as standard. [s/n 90,582]
1997 A limited edition commemorative LP12 was created to mark the 25th anniversary of the LP12. Amongst other features, it bears a plaque etched with the signature of Linn's founder, Ivor Tiefenbrun.
2000 Fourth bolt added near motor on top plate, fitted as standard (requires corner braced plinth).
2001 New motor used (first new motor since original 1972).
2002 Maple plinth introduced adding to existing black, walnut, rosewood and afromosia options.
2013 Full-spec limited-edition (40 in all) 40th anniversary LP12, plinth made from oak casks from Highland Park distillery, priced at £25,000.
Official Linn website click here.
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