don't panic. LP12s are pretty simple things. it sounds like the power switch is either broken or the connection to it needs to be resoldered. either one should be a cheap fix. |
You can potentially check the switch yourself with an inexpensive voltmeter (around $20 at Home Depot, Radio Shack, etc...) using the ohms/continuity feature. Kill the power at the source (outlet) and unplug all leads to the switch, so that only the switch is tested. If you have a switch broken in the off position, you will have infinite resitance (open circuit.) By opening and closing the switch, you should have an infinite measure of resistance and if closed you will hear an audible beep or a measure of resistance on the units display. You could also use this to see if the ribbon is intact- those darn things can kink easily, again potentially breaking the circuit. |
Looks like i have to take it into the local Linn dealer next week.
Wish i had another power switch to try, i replaced the fuse and nothing and the caps are all in tact.
One small black cap has black around it........wonder if that's the problem. |
If your Linn's power supply is the Valhalla model, a cap failure sounds familiar. Both my Linn dealer's Valhalla boards crapped out during the speaker demo he was giving me, for the same reason--a capacitor failure. |
Yes it is Valhalla, hopefully it is a quick and easy fix. |
I had an Linn LP12/Valhalla, I would suggest that you take it to a Linn Dealer/TT specialist because that Vahalla board has high Voltage and if you don't know what you're doing and don't know the general saftey rules for working on high voltage gear then I would not mess with it, one small slip of your hand and you can be seriously injured or even killed. It maybe something simple, Was the speed varying? because that's usually the first sign that the Valhalla is going bad otherwise it may be the switch itself or a bad connection. If its the Valhalla board this may set you back about $500-$700 for a new Valhalla but if the guy is good he may be able to repair the bad one with new caps for cheap because that's what usually the problem when the boards go bad due to having power supplied at all times even when the switch/power is off. I hope this helps.
Steve |
They don't make Valhalla power suplies any more, and haven't for around 10 years. Please don't buy a replacement Valhalla at $500 to $700. I am sure they can be had for around half to a third of this. In fact if you are having trouble finding one at a reasonable cost, email me and I'll see if I can help. No promises, but I'm willing to try. (My dealer may still have the one he took out of my table last year when I went with the Lingo).
But if you have to spend anything close to $500, then pony up the extra cash for a Lingo, which will really make you table SOOOO much better sounding. If you end up with a Lingo, you may be ultimately very glad you Valhalla powersupply failed. |
Thanks very much guys, how much does a lingo cost and where can you get one?
Is this old or current?
I just bought the table and got 2 records to play and then the problem.......just my luck.
I hope it is a simple fix, i have no intention on spending over a hundred bucks for repairs of which the local Linn dealer said it would most likely cost.
How much better sounding is the Lingo option? well worht the money? |
First question is, do you have the Cirkus bearing upgrade in your table? If not, I'm not sure you want to spend the money for a Lingo, but others may differ. I have seen the Lingo go for from $550 to $1200 used depending on type (half size Lingo I vs full size Lingo II) and condition. If you have a Cirkus bearing, it is definitely the way to go if you can afford it at this time. Otherwise, fix your Valhalla and upgrade when you can. The Lingo will have a more fundamental and wide ranging effect on the sound of your table than if you added an Ekos II tonearm (3K). It is absolutely incomprehensible that a power supply should make this much difference, but it does in this case. |
My fave review of the LP12 from Basik through Valhalla to Lingo was Corey Greenberg's. I couldn't find it online but I have it somewhere in hard copy. This is what I got from Stereophile's review archives (John Atkinson):
In its various incarnations, the Sondek LP12 turntable has been reviewed a number of times in Stereophile: first by Larry Greenhill in February 1984 (Vol.7 No.2), then by Martin Colloms in March 1990 (Vol.13 No.3), then by Corey Greenberg in December 1991 (Vol.16 No.12). The effect of the Lingo power supply was first described by me in January 1991 (Vol.14 No.1), with a Follow-Up by Wes Phillips as part of his report on the Naim ARO tonearm and Armageddon LP12 power supply in February 1996 (Vol.19 No.2). Robert Deutsch also commented on the improvement wrought by the Cirkus base in May 1997 (Vol.17 No.5).
My reaction to the external Lingo supply, comparing it back in late 1990 with the older Valhalla board, was very positive. In particular, I felt the low frequencies were reproduced with considerably better extension and definition. I performed some basic measurements on the combination of the Lingo-driven Sondek with the Ekos and a Linn Troika cartridge in my 1990 review, which are reproduced in the Web reprint. In comparison both with the LP12 Valhalla and an Australian Aura turntable fitted with an early Graham tonearm, the LP12 Lingo had slightly better speed stability, evinced by the slightly narrower "skirt" around the spectral peak representing a 1003Hz tone from the Denon Test LP. However, low-level sidebands were visible both at the 11Hz frequency of the tonearm-cartridge suspension resonance and at ±50Hz, the latter not uncoincidentally the frequency of the Lingo's synthesized sinewave supply. Rumble was very low. |
One more thing, talk to your dealer about the Lingo upgrade. If you are buying used you will need the kit that attatches to the table - new power button, etc. I am not sure how all this works on the used market because I bought mine on demo. If you don't like the answers your dealer is giving you, email me. I know of a couple of excellent Linn dealers who will be helpful even if you are buying used. |
Linn themselves say get a Cirkus before a Lingo, but that doesn't get you music if what's not working is the power supply. My 2 cents: if you can find a used Lingo or spring for a new one, that's the way to go right now. With fewer dollars, get the Valhalla fixed or replaced. |
A good technician can replace the bad capacitors on a Valhalla board in about twenty minutes, tops. He would spend much more time making sure the suspension is still set up properly after he did the work, after which the owner would just plop it on the back seat of his Benz and let it jiggle all the way home. I'd be surprised if the parts (three electrolytic capacitors) cost over $10-15, and if the tech's got a good parts source, he'd probably get 'em for less. It's not rocket science, no matter what Linn tells you, and the replacement capacitors don't have to be blessed by Tiefenbrun. In fact maybe you don't WANT the ones Linn sourced, as they fail! Good, reliable Japanese ones...now, THAT's what you want. What is hardest is finding ones that lie flat on the circuit board (axial type) rather than standing on end (radial).
I can hear the peanut gallery now, shouting "Horrors, NO!" |
"I can hear the peanut gallery now, shouting 'Horrors, NO!'"
I honestly don't know who would care to object to your solution. It is not as though Linn has a proposed solution of their own for fixing the board - as far as I know they haven't supported the Valhalla for years. |
Almost forgot about this thread!
The problem was the caps, had them replaced and the Linn is working fine.....Wow, just got it and had an offer i could not refuse and now it is gone.
Have the old standby Thorens TD160 going and the Linn was definitly a blacker background and better sounding.
Well at least i had one and used one, so when money gets better i will not hesitate to buy another if the price is right.
Thanks for the replys! |
Thanks for the follow-up... |
