LINN SONDEK LP12

Pre owned. In excellent conditions. Free from visible signs of wear. Equipped with a Linn EKOS tonearm, a brand-new Linn ADIKT cartridge, and an external Linn LINGO power supply (33/45 rpm) in good condition, showing some signs of wear. Includes original accessories and packaging.

Upgrades:

• Karousel bearing kit
• Trampolin 2 base
• T-Cable 1.2 m tonearm cable

Setup performed by an authorized Linn service center.

The Linn Sondek LP12 is a modular turntable, designed to be tailored to the needs of every audio enthusiast without ever compromising sound quality. This philosophy is reflected in the possibility of choosing between different pre-set configurations, each highlighting the potential for exceptional sound capable of revealing every musical detail hidden within the grooves of a record.

Introduced in 1972 by designer Ivor Tiefenbrun, the Sondek LP12 remains a benchmark in vinyl playback to this day. Tiefenbrun’s “source first” concept — the idea that the quality of the signal at the source determines the overall performance of the system — challenged the audiophile culture of the time. Yet it laid the foundation for a turntable that, over fifty years later, continues to be praised for its outstanding performance.

The Sondek LP12 features a patented single-point bearing designed to minimize noise and maximize the extraction of musical information from the vinyl. The belt-drive mechanism, combined with high-mass, perfectly balanced inner and outer platters, ensures a stable rotational speed essential for distortion-free playback. Its solid wood plinth and stainless steel top plate provide structural integrity, while the suspended sub-chassis effectively isolates the system from external vibrations.

The LP12 is built around a pre-treated wooden outer frame and an AC synchronous motor that drives an aluminum alloy sub-platter. Its spring suspension system isolates the sub-platter and tonearm from the motor’s vibrations, improving sound stability. Unlike non-suspended designs where the platter and motor share the same platform, this more complex suspended setup ensures superior separation of critical components.

Linn LINGO Power Supply
This external unit uses a high-quality crystal oscillator to generate a high frequency, which is then electronically reduced to 50 Hz (for 33 1/3 rpm) or 67.5 Hz (for 45 rpm). The resulting frequency is cleaned and amplified to 120 V to drive both phases of the motor. Anyone familiar with AC synchronous motor turntables — whether powered directly from the mains or with a synthesized power supply — will recognize the significant advantage offered by the Lingo.

Linn EKOS Tonearm
The Ekos is a fixed-pivot tonearm designed, built, and assembled entirely by Linn. It features a clean, no-frills design: a straight aluminum tube with a machined and bonded headshell, and ultra-low-tolerance bearings. Tracking force and anti-skating are spring-controlled. Like many arms that prioritize rigidity over on-the-fly adjustability, the Ekos’ vertical tracking angle (VTA) is set by raising or lowering the support pillar within its mounting collar, then locking it in place with a set screw.

Linn ADIKT Cartridge
The Adikt uses an efficient and affordable moving magnet (MM) configuration, making it an excellent choice for those seeking high-quality vinyl playback. Despite its accessible price point, its performance rivals that of many more expensive moving coil (MC) cartridges. A rigid body ensures structural stability, while the replaceable Gyger II stylus helps deliver a detailed and dynamic sound. The cartridge is easy to mount on a wide range of tonearms.

Technical Specifications

Linn Sondek LP12

• Two-speed turntable (33 1/3, 45 rpm); belt drive with three-point suspended subchassis
• Dimensions: 450 mm (W) x 155 mm (H) x 360 mm (D)
• Weight: 13 kg (28.6 lbs)

Linn LINGO

• External power supply for Linn Sondek LP12
• Dimensions: 320 mm (W) x 80 mm (H) x 320 mm (D)
• Weight: 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)

Linn EKOS

• Fixed-pivot medium-mass tonearm with fixed headshell and aluminum arm tube

Linn ADIKT

• Stylus type: Gyger II (replaceable); Cantilever: Aluminium tube
• Armature: Former-less coil; Pin connection type: 1.2 mm gold pin
• Mounting points: 2; Coil wire: Copper
• Output voltage: 6.5 mV @ 5 cm/s; Channel balance at 1 kHz: ±2 dB
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: Better than 25 dB; Load resistance: 47 kΩ
• Load capacitance: 150–200 pF; Tracking force: 1.5–2.0 g
• Cartridge mass: 8.25 g