Linn Sondek LP12
Linn Sondek LP12 with Ekos arm and Troika cartridge
Inception	29 July 1972
Manufacturer	Linn Products
Website	Official product page

Linn then reset the Ittok’s serial number sequence to 0001. The Ittok remained in production until September 1993. In its latter years it approached the performance of Linn’s top Ekos arm, an all-black affair launched in 1988. The gap in price between the Ittok and Ekos models had also closed up, leading Linn to consolidate its line-up. Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: 10587. Keel: One-piece subchassis, tonearm board, and tonearm mounting collar for Linn LP12 turntable. Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: N/A. Trampolin: Accessory base for Linn LP12 turntable. Serial Number Of Unit Reviewed: N/A. Approximate Number of Dealers: 40.

The Linn Sondek LP12 (often shortened to Sondek or LP12) is a transcription turntable^[1] 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'^[2] and The Absolute Sound ranked it the second most significant turntable of all time in 2011.^[3] With its iconic success, Linn named their flagship CD player the Sondek CD12.^[4]

History[edit]

The Sondek LP12 turntable, introduced in 1972, 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.^[5] The design was identical to the Ariston RD11^[6] and similar to the Thorens TD150, both in turn based on the Acoustic Research XA turntable that was launched in 1961.^[7] The XA was created by renowned audio pioneer Edgar Villchur.^[8]

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The similarities between the LP12 and the Ariston RD11 resulted in a patent case: Ariston vs. Linn. The patent was opposed on various grounds, including that 'what was being claimed as new, was in fact old', and that the idea was 'lacking in inventive step' over what was already known. Further grounds of opposition were that the invention had been 'obtained' from Hamish Robertson, and was his original idea rather than that of Jack Tiefenbrun. Jack Tiefenbrun had formed Castle Precision Engineering (Glasgow) Ltd some 15 years earlier. Hamish Robertson had a company called Thermac in 1967, which became Ariston in 1970, and Ariston Audio in 1973. In 1970 Jack's son Ivor formed a friendship with Hamish. In 1971 Ivor made a prototype turntable with a ball bearing, and then went to Israel. While Ivor was away, Hamish changed the ball bearing to a single point bearing. Robertson's company Thermac then ordered forty of the turntables from Castle Precision Engineering Ltd. In 1971, and now operating as Ariston, Hamish showed the turntable under the model name RD11 at the Harrogate show, and set up a distribution network with C. J. Walker and Company. By the end of 1972 relations between Robertson and the Tiefenbruns had broken down. This allegedly led to a threat to Robertson that a copyright action would be brought against him if he had the RD11 turntable made elsewhere than at Castle Precision Engineering. In February 1973 Linn Products Ltd was formed to sell turntables made by Castle Precision Engineering. Robertson left Ariston, which by now had been taken over by Dunlop Westayr Ltd, and became director Fergus Fons Ltd.

The thinking at the time was that the most important component of a high-end audio system is the loudspeakers. Linn presented an important challenge to that by claiming that the source (i.e. the turntable) was the most important part of the system.^[1]

Ivor Tiefenbrun has talked about how Sondek derives from the word Soundex as each hi-fi design always ends up having its own unique identifiable and recognisable sound.^[9] Some report the original name was just Sondek without the LP12.

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^[10]

Early versions were a platform for mounting third party tonearms, had a basic power supply arrangements, and would only revolve at 33⅓ rpm. Those users requiring a 45 rpm option would have to purchase a special adaptor to increase the diameter of the motor pulley and platter speed accordingly.

Throughout the years, there have been many changes resulting from development efforts to improve this table. These changes include modifications to components such as the subplatter and bearing, rubber feet, baseboard, armboard, suspension springs and grommets and reinforced plinth. A much improved on-board PSU, the Valhalla, was marketed as an upgrade option. Later, external power supplies became de rigueur firstly with the introduction of the Linn Lingo, and later the Radikal.

The LP12 working with a Linn Ekos tonearm

Partnered tonearms and power supplies[edit]

Like most turntable units, many options to partner the LP12 are available (including Linn's own) for tonearms, cartridges and, to a much lesser extent, power supplies. Although Linn constantly espouses the virtues of a 'pure' Linn system, and there is much talked about synergies with other Linn components, the LP12 user has the option of a number of third party options. Before the existence of Linn-branded tonearms, Linn was the importer for Grace, and used their 707 tonearm. The Sumiko tonearm and later the Mission 774 arm were also popular choices and much spoken of. The first Linn-badged arm, the Ittok LVII, was in production 1979–93. A 3-point-mounted arm with a large-bore arm tube designed and manufactured in Japan.^[11] It was gradually superseded by the Ekos. A budget arm, the Basik LVX, was produced from 1983 to 1986, and replaced by the Akito. For today's demanding audiophile, LP12 is commonly partnered with the Linn Ekos SE tonearm; the unipivot ARO tonearm from Naim Audio is also very popular.

External power options include Linn's own top of the line Radikal power supply featuring an auto-calibrating speed management system; Naim Audio manufactures the Armageddon power supply for the LP12, based on its own Hi-Cap power supply unit.^[12]

Linn were distributors for Grace and Supex Corporation at the time, and thus the Grace G-707 tone arm and Supex SD900 and SD1000 phono cartridges were also frequently partners for the deck.^[13] Early Linn-branded cartridges, such as the Asak and Asaka, and the 3-point mounted Troika (now discontinued, and replaced by the Krystal, which is built by Goldring), were produced by Supex for Linn.^[13] Linn's later subcontracted cartridge manufacture to Lyra Corporation in Japan. Paul Messenger, writing in Stereophile, credits Linn's endorsement and importation of the Supex brand for the resurgence of audiophile interest in moving coil cartridges.^[13]

Naim Audio manufactured the Linn-branded head amplifier (phono amplifier), the Linnk. Linn today manufacturers the Uphorik ('euphoric'), and Urika ('eureka') phono pre-amplifier that can be powered by the Radikal. Urika II connects the LP 12 with Linn's proprietary digital Exakt technology, and handles most of the RIAA compensation and amplicication in the digital domain.

Linn capitalised on the success of the Sondek LP12 by introducing the more affordable Basik and Axis turntables, complementary tonearms for the Sondek and cartridges at different price points.

History[edit]

Partnered tonearms and power supplies[edit]

Popularity

Linn Ekos Serial Numbers