- Linn Sondek Serial Number Age Code
- Linn Sondek Serial Number Age Rating
- Linn Sondek Serial Number Age Lookup
“ | 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[9] | ” |
- 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. The idea was to make the metal stop plate more rigid and to reduce resonance [23,000]
- 1979, Lid prop removed, hinges changed to spring loading. [27,000]
- 1981, February. Nirvana mechanical components, including new springs and bolts. [32,826]
- 1982, May. Valhalla crystal-driven electronic power supply made standard. This offered a significant improvement in performance and pitch stability. [38,794]
- 1984, Enlarged plinth corner bracing to make the chassis more structurally sound. [53,000]
- 1984, June. Sub-chassis strengthening bar epoxy glued instead of spot welded. Again this strengthened and reduced resonance in the sub-chassis. [54,101]
- 1985, August. Cap head screws on bearing housing. [60,383]
- 1985, September. Diode modification to Valhalla board [61,090]
- 1985, December. Strengthening blocks on corners of plinth.
- 1986, May. New clear lid.
- 1986, Suspension springs improved.
- 1987, March. New bearing housing, New Formica and MDF armboard. [69,161]
- 1987, April. New springs. [69,591]
- 1987, Bearing improved with better lining (black) material and tighter tolerances. Change to black oil. Suspension springs ground to improved tolerance. Arm board composition improved. [70,000]
- 1989, Motor thrust pad changed. Valhalla surge guard modification. PCB mains lead (UK). [79,700]
- 1989, New MDF armboard, laminated top and bottom. [79,160]
- 1989, Harder suspension grommets fitted to increase stability and reduce “drift”. [81,000]
- 1990, External Lingo power supply available as add-on. Lingo improved pitch accuracy and also added 45 rpm.
- 1991, motor thrust pad cap added to Lingo models. [87,047]
- 1991, Valhalla board prototype with 45RPM (never went into production) [87,047]
- 1991, motor thrust pad cap added to Valhalla models. [87,206]
- 1991, Introduction of LP12 Basik, a stripped down version of the turntable [87,672]
- 1991, Solid base board replaces hardboard. [87,672]
- 1991, Trampolin base board with isolating feet available as an option [87,672].
- 1992, Improved top plate fixing. [88,950]
- 1993, Cirkus upgrade (larger and better machined inner platter and new bearing, new springs, armboard, belt) fitted as standard. [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, 4th bolt added near motor on top plate, fitted as standard. Required extra cross beam on plinth.
- 2001, New motor used (first new motor since original 1972).
- 2006 Keel The Keel upgrade to the LP12 is a replacement subchassis, machined from solid aluminium. It builds on the Cirkus upgrade (now fitted as standard to new LP12s) but is not included as standard in ‘regular’ production LP12s. Linn claims that the Keel is an application of its “close-tolerance aluminium machining”, first seen in the ingot casing of the Sondek CD12 CD player. The Keel, along with the Ekos SE tonearm and Trampolin Mk.2 were three Special Edition upgrades for the turntable’s 33⅓ birthday, 33⅓ being the standard rotational speed when playing LPs.
- 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. This turntable also featured the Radikal Power supply and the Urika phono stage mounted inside the turntable.
Linn Sondek Serial Number Age Code
![Age Age](https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi961.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae93%2FDevillEars%2FLP12_SerialNo_by_Date.jpg&hash=866595d250771874ddcf74ef9566b3c7)
- New Springs and grommets £10
- New belt and oil £20
Cirkus Bearing Kit £490 fitted
The Cirkus upgrade to the LP12 focuses on bearing performance and the connection of the bearing housing to the sub-chassis. The improved bearing and stronger sub-chassis connection provides the turntable with greater stability and ensures the bearing sits perfectly true to the chassis of the turntable. This in turn minimises the risk of turntable platter movement with respect to the sub-chassis and arm. Even the slightest movement will introduce audible degradation to the reproduced signal. Together the changes to the bearing and the sub-chassis make an enormous difference to the overall performance of the turntable. The specific changes are as follows:
1. The thickness of the bearing housing mounting flange has been substantially increased and undercuts eliminated to make it many times more rigid. This also allows the use of larger mounting bolts.
2. Increased distance between top and bottom liners in the bearing housing to make it as stable as possible eliminating even the smallest amount of rocking
3. An increase in the height of the bearing housing from the top of its inner liner to increase oil capacity, ensuring proper lubrication of the top bearing at all times.
4. Double thickness sub-chassis to improve rigidity, reducing flexing and improving control of the relationship between key components The attached kit of parts, which includes a new inner platter and spindle, is supplied to fit this upgrade. As always with Linn product improvements, new LP12 turntables will incorporate this upgrade as standard. The Cirkus kit also includes new springs and grommets, a new belt and a new arm-board.
- Kore or Keel