Linn LP12 - Which one to purchase?


Hi, There are two LP12's on audiogon I am considering.

1.) 1994 - Cirkus/Ittok LVIII/Lingo/Trampolin (don't care for this, would sell)/K18II/sn 94xxx Asking - $2150. This is individual seller who answered all questions concerning disassembling correctly.

2.) 2003 - Cirkus/Black Ittok LVII/Valhalla/Adikt/Maple plinth which is cool/sn new series xxxxxx, less than 1 year except Ittok. Asking - $1950. This seller works at a Linn shop in CA, seems very well educated about Linn's.

I'm leaning toward the new one only because it's 9 years newer and taken care of by a Linn dealer. The only thing holding me back is the Lingo vs Valhalla. I don't have a great need for 45rpm but wonder which is better, more stable? Thanks
joehler616c

Showing 1 response by tobias

I agree with Thsalmon. The LVIII is a much better arm than the LVII, and harder to find. The difference between Valhalla and Lingo power supplies is very noticeable. (And if you ever get into audiophile discs, there are some good ones which were cut at 45 rpm.)

The K18 cartridge is roughly equivalent to the Shure V15 V MR, although it doesn't sound the same. The rest of the Lingoed unit is good enough that the cartridge can be upgraded without changing other things.

The Trampolin is useful if you've placed your LP12 on a coffee table or a sideboard. Otherwise, I agree with you about removing it. If you can get a good-quality wall shelf, try using that and putting hockey pucks under the corners of your Trampolin-less TT. I like the soft kind, used for practice or back-alley shooting, but you may prefer regular hard rubber.