Linn Sondek - LP12 The turntable

Hailed as the turntable by which all others are judged the LP-12 was and is a  vintage design staple. My first taste of it's sound came from my friend Yuri's setup. I was blown away at the balanced suspension design and then by it's transparent sonic representation. A table he utilized to this day which is testament to it's performance.
Throughout the years, there have been many changes to components such as rubber feet, baseboard, armboard, suspension springs and grommets and reinforced plinth. However, the Cirkuskit, with its newly designed bearing, is one of the most significant. This subjectively offers a large performance upgrade. Since 1991 (serial number 87600 onwards), the LP12 has been supplied as a mechanical assembly only, without power supply fitted.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.

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.

The Sondek LP12 turntable, introduced in 1972, utilises a suspended sub-chassis design and a patented single-point bearing machined to extremely tight tolerances. The LP12 has evolved since its introduction, but its basic suspended sub-chassis design has remained. 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.

Today, many options are available for tonearms and power supplies to partner the deck. The LP12 allows the purchaser to select from a number of Linn as well as third party options. It is commonly partnered with the Linn Ekos SE tonearm. External power options include Linn’s own top of the line “Radikal” power supply featuring a speed management system that auto-calibrates the motor every time the Sondek LP12 is powered on. If purity in design is what you seek than look no further than this "sonics first" design. VintageSound at it's finest!

The Distortion of Sound

The Distortion of Sound is the music industries look at the degradation of our audio signals evolution. A must see for the audio enthusiasts. We are truly in the valley of sound quality. Let's champion high fidelity back to the mainstream! 

Vintage Speaker Greats

When you have a look at the designs of speakers today and their boasts of high efficiency you can't help but ask is this all that modern consumers gauge sound reproduction on? Every era has it's wish lists in speaker marketing. The 60's marketed speakers were pushing larger than life designs. The 70's revelled at low harmonic distortion figures.

The 80's were all about multiple driver enclosures and innovative driver materials and stereo imaging. The 90's...well lets not say anything. Now in the modern millennium it's all about slim sleek cabinetry and how efficient they are. Really in the pursuit of incredible sound reproduction why do we care so much about efficiency? I mean if you review the essential specifications and are thrilled with the performance and design would you not drive them with whatever is needed for their optimal performance? You have to ask if sound waves have not changed in length and characteristics then how can these modern enclosures produce a bass/mids sound wave the same as the cabinets of old? Crossover points and driver build is of much greater importance yet we see time and time again the consumer asking "what's the efficiency?"
Sure the ability to convert the power to sound is important but it is not characteristic of it's musicality or tone. An ideal frequency curve response without peaks or troughs are of greater importance in the musicality of a speaker. This is hand in hand with distortion rates and signal to noise ratios. Lets educate ourselves and not simply go with the trending topic when seeking your holy grail reproducer. Specifications will narrow your field of choice, your ears will bring your conclusion.
Here's a few more vintage audio greats...

Anna Netrebko - Norma Casta Diva Performance

The incomparable Anna Netrebko's performance of Norma Casta Diva written by Composer Vincenzo Bellini. A beautifully composed Arias. The Russian soprano will take your audiophile system for a ride. Great fidelity in her new release on vinyl - Verdi - with the Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino. A must have in your vintage vinyl record collection. Without question, a classic for all time!

Audiophile vinyl

It's a great thing to see young audiophiles grab hold of vintage analog gear. I've heard from many who vow to make vinyl their staple for accurate sound reproduction. This interest shows in the vinyl reviews boasting another 12 percentage increase in sales this past year and a considerable decline in CD sales. SACD's (super audio compact discs) however saw a marginal increase. All of this screams one thing. Sound quality matters again to consumers. With all the shortcuts and circuit wizardry that are employed into todays build's it's not surprising that the difference is SO vast between yesterdays somewhat uninhibited signal paths and the amplification designs of today.

We can't leave out analog tape and it's wonderful sound and properties. With some new studios producing tape again from 2" masters it will likely see some resurgence in the next few years as well. There are some purists who pledge great allegiance to their tape and the quality of their decks.
The progression of the audiophile travels usually from bitstream to needle. It just takes some longer than others to get there. :).