Restoring Another Linn Sondek LP12, Rebuild Part 2

Now, after waiting almost a year for all the parts required to return post strip down, the Linn LP12 rebuilding can start again. The project was supposed to be a simple rebuild re-using as much original parts as possible, with the arm being plan for a Linn Basik. 

However, a year is a pretty long time, and that audiophile question "what if I could make it better?" surfaced, and my buddy started looking at more ambitious options, and he was lucky to have found someone who was also upgrading, and hence all the Linn LP12 Majik hand me down parts you see here!

Now the pictorial building guide can start:

The re-furbished plinth looks really nice in it's original walnut color, also note the 2 pcs Linn Majik sub chassis & armboard, c/w Cirkus bearing pre mounted. I must say the new Majik sub chassis offers the most sonic value for $$$ of the 3 sub chassis options now available. There's also the Kore & the Keel, both one piece in construction, but different build.  

Next up, inserting the rubber grommet & spring set on to the Majik sub chassis, and also the long top plate mounting screws that also functions to hold the sub chassis springs & rubber grommet which in turn, holds the sub chassis in place. At this point, the new 50Hz A/C motor is mounted as well.

View of the top plate from the other side. See the motor pulley standing up right?

And it all comes together, first the top plate & motor assembly, then the Majik sub chassis assembly, secured with 3 springs & rubber grommet assembly, and lastly the cross brace which secures the top plate, and hold everything together. ON/OFF switch for the Valhalla PS board also snapped in place on the left corner of the top plate.

The view from the other side.

Valhalla PS board clips attached and the original(correct size) Linn LP12 rubber feet mounted at the four corners.

This is where the build gets delicate! wiring the motor & the power cord to the refurbished Valhalla PS board. Also at this point securing the Majik tonearm cable route with a P-Clip(new) to ensure it does not interfere with spring travel nearby, so as to obtain a suspension good bounce, as they say! I must say the Majik parts are all much higher quality compared to those that came before it. That tonearm cable is looks really good too. 

Next is mounting the tonearm collar to get ready to receive the CC9 based arm sourced from Project. The tonearm collar is not mounted like that. The cut out portion needs to be front facing!

And that tonearm goes sliding in nicely, with 2 allen keys at the back of the collar for height adjustment and locking it in place there after. Love the carbon trim finish on the CC9 Project arm.

The whole tonearm with carbon trim going all the way to head shell for cartridge mount. One has to be very careful when doing cartridge mount, and should not over tighten the cartridge screws, or it might just crack the carbon finish on the head shell. 

Next, lubricating the Cirkus bearing with Linn supplied oil, or any motor oil for that matter, attaching the inner platter, and rubber belt drive to motor & platter. 

Put on the outer platter, look at the mirror like polished sides!

Last step, put on the original Linn LP12 felt mat, and cartridge mounted. My buddy choose a Sumiko Blue Point High Output MC cartridge for this re-build 

The final tuning step, the spring bounce is adjusted on my audio rig. The platter should be floating about 3-4mm above the top plate with a free and un-interrupted, and even bounce of 3-4 cycles to be considered right.

Next is cartridge alignment, as the above picture, I first adjust the cartridge fore/aft placing using the single protractor starting point, then here in this picture, I use the 2 protractor points to align the cartridge to make sure it's as balanced in the L-R channels as the 9inch tonearm sweeps across the LP playing surface, from 1st track on the outer edge of the platter in to the center.  

Lastly, I used an old school tracking weight checker to check for 2 grams tracking force. Note the lump of modelling clay place on top the head shell? This is due to at the original time of planning, my buddy bought the Sumiko Blue Point cartridge to fit a Linn Basik arm which he had. The Sumiko cartridge being at 6.3 grams in weight was the perfect fit for the low compliance arm of Linn Basik. However along the way, the tonearm favored was the Linn Majik CC9 which is a medium compliance arm, which requires cartridge's to start from 8 grams onwards! So I neede to improvise to make things work for now. The lump of modelling clay is exactly 4 grams, giving the cartridge just enough tracking force of 2 grams! 

Lastly, here's video of the completed re-build of Linn Sondek LP12. I loved the sound of the Sumiko Blue Point cartridge. It's slightly warn, with sweet highs and tight lows. The mid range has a slight well honeyed, golden tone to it, which makes it a delight to listen to. Too bad about the not matching in compliance with the tonearm. I feel the Majik sub chassis is also a big step up from the old school Linn sub chassis from the 80's & 90's. 

Sorry about the mono sound recording of the video. Do not adjust your PC speakers!

I hope my buddy enjoys listening to this Linn Sondek LP12, as much as I have enjoyed refurbishing it!