Virgin LP12

[davee37]

Hi All, just thought I'd share and ask a couple of questions about my LP12.
I purchased it new from Grahams in 1989 and since then it has remained untouched apart from replacing the oil a couple of times and one of the hinges.
Apart from that it is totally original and is in pristine condition, even the lid. It is partnered with an Ittok LV111 and OCC cart.
I have observed the various updates over the years but at the time never been able to afford them.
Its a daft question but how different is the sound from an original 89 to the latest iteration?
Bearing in mind that age has rather diminished aural appreciation!

 

[akamatsu]

My LP12 started out as a 1975 model. It is now at Klimax (Kandid) level. Mine was similar to yours back in about 1992. It consisted of pre-Cirkus bearing and sub-chassis, Valhalla, Ittok LVII, and Linn K5 cartridge.

There is no comparison of what it was to what it is. Every upgrade, and there were a lot, along the way made nice improvements to its ability to extract music from the grooves.

 

[Wenge1]

The short answer is that your LP12 will sound very different to the modern / latest iteration of the LP12. Which is 'better'? Well, as Linn said back in the day of your LP12 and they still say now - just listen and make your own mind up.

 

[Moomintroll]

The short answer is that your LP12 will sound very different to the modern / latest iteration of the LP12. Which is 'better'? Well, as Linn said back in the day of your LP12 and they still say now - just listen and make your own mind up.

Good point @Wenge1

When your deck was new, in 1989, apart from the cartridge, it would have been Linn’s top level turntable. Compare it to the current top level - the Klimax LP12, and see what you think.

’troll

 

[davee37]

Haha, not sure I want to have that temptation. If it's worth upgrading to Cirkus, thats not too outrageous

 

[akamatsu]

Haha, not sure I want to have that temptation. If it's worth upgrading to Cirkus, thats not too outrageous

Since Karousel won't work with your Valhalla power supply, perhaps a Cirkus bearing and sub-chassis would be a reasonably priced upgrade. I'm not sure if you could even get a new Cirkus bearing anymore. But dealers should have some good used examples sitting around, along with a sub-chassis. I would expect to have to pay for an overhaul for the dealer to install.

 

[dol]

Karousel, Lingo 4, or used Lingo 2, 3 and you are in the game!

I would not consider putting on a Circus just because u have valhalla, bcs valhalla and motor might be worn out by now.

 

[Imseti]

As far as I remember from the old Linn forum, a challenge was offered to Linn by a well known reviewer to compare a very old LP12 plinth to a brand new one.

Linn were obsessive to protect their point of view that a new one would sound better.

A whole day of testing trying to get the same volume levels etc and many other factors the same between the two plinths with identical components and setup ensued with much argument from Linn.

Result was - they sounded the same.

Make your own mind up on that one as I ditched my LP12 and vinyl 30 years ago and I'm no expert whatsoever on these matters these days.