Catching Up With An Old Flame! A Rebuilt Linn Sondek LP12.

My re-built Linn Sondek LP12, seen here under going trials with a Clearaudio Concerto V2 cartridge. My sonic description below is based on using my resident Clearaudio Stradivari cartridge.

If one asked me what drove me to wanna rebuild the Linn Sondek LP12? Here are my answers in no particular order, except perhaps the last one, yep! I always save the best for last.

1) The wooden plinth was in fair condition, but from certain angles, it really did look rather tired after all. Plus I saw how Jo's reworked Linn LP12 plinth look like brand new, and I became a little jealous. He!He!

2) The three spring points would never quite hold their position well enough. After a few plays, the setting would drift and my Linn would not be level anymore. It tends to slant a little down wards on the side where the arm weight rest. I guess that particular spring/rubber grommet set is subjected to more tension due to the weight of the arm resting over it.

3) Speed stability, a.k.a. wow and flutter was starting to become an issue with piano and some string recordings.

4) JT came over to my place one day, and said "bro! your LP12 is only performing like 20% of it's original capabilities!, let me help you get it right" What a guy! And friends like these, are far and few in the context of today's audio/hifi circles.

So you saw my rebuild story, I will now share with you how it sounds. The re built LP12 sounds very much like before in general. It still has this very comfy warm, mellow glow in the mid range that is endearing. The highs are now less splashy and cleaner sounding. The refinement and airiness displayed is still there. The bass has however, tightened up and kick drums have more "kick" that before. The sometimes wooliness of double bass lines is now better defined and articulated now. I also noted improved transparency and much more resolving low level details. Most importantly, the Linn's famous "it could follow the tune" signature is still very much present. On the practical side, the perfectly leveled and aligned turn table will now certainly keep it's settings, un-less, it's been jarringly moved around.

Despite it's noted sound improvements, the Linn is an aged classic design. It's back ground noise levels like hiss or hum, can never match those new class of superb high end turn tables from Clearaudio, TW Acoustic, VPI, Oracle and many others. Those new turn table designs will provide a truly jet black back drop for a sound stage and palpable imaging to be painted on. That's the sad but un-avoidable truth.

What matters is that the Linn Sondek LP12 is still musically relevant, if technically flawed, when compared to the latest of rather expensive high end turn table designs.

If I could put a little spin on the re-built Linn LP12 based on my little hand held journey, it would be like this. I originally found the Linn LP12 to be like getting to know an old friend again, trusty, reliable, with known warm qualities and little nasty surprises.

The re-built Linn LP12 is like getting to know an old flame all over again. You know the scene, in a dingy bar, you get intoxicated, you end up in a one night stand only to realise next morning, she was your ex lover who parted ways a few years back. Now that you're sober, you find still her attractive, but only a little un-predictable in her ways. She has issues, with your encouragement, she goes to rehab. After a few months of re-shaping her mind and outlook, out comes a more sophisticated and more cultured lady that you once so much loved. Only naturally, she can't fight the ravages of time, and younger competition.

But sometimes life's not about having the best, latest or greatest, let someone else more qualified do those things. As a matter of fact, just being able to sit back, relax, and enjoy where the journey takes you to can be just as full filling.