Linn Service

[DSJR]

We were discussing the fruitbox and there's more than enough discussion about the techie on here already

[Marco]

Ha - I just couldn't help latching onto your rather good point!

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

LP12's do need fairly regular servicing especially if they are early examples and/or not used for a few years but....but it doesn't have to cost a couple of hundred Pounds to do the job. It also absoloutely doesn't require the foo which goes with a service.

[Lodgesound]

This is a bloody Linn Springdek we're talking about, with iffy grommets, lop-sided springs and probably bent bolts on older ones, wooden bits that compress and make fixing bolts loosen and a belt that goes shiny and "off" fairly quickly. The felt mat shrinks (with a drastic negative effect on the sonics) and the tiny armboard screws loosen due to compressed materials. Many older main bearings leak all their oil out as well, so the thing ends up running almost dry with devastating results for the point on spindle bottom!

Nothing "Professional" about a Linn LP12 of yesteryear I can assure you!!!!!

Now, take a NAS Spacedeck, since it's the cheapest NAS model and sounds absolutely TONS better in all the Linn ways than a pre Cirkus LP12 at any rate, no matter what it's fitted with! The belt is designed not to stretch appreciably with time and the separate motor pod can be adjusted for distance easily, the main bearing is superbly done and rarely needs checking for oil. The arm mount is well thought out and I've said before many times just how wonderful the Rega RB arms sound on this deck - I don't know why, but they don't impede the musical flow at all, unlike on other decks such as the Techie for example..... The base is just put where necessary, the motor pod a finger thickness from the main plinth (levelling should have been done by the dealer and is easily corrected if necessary). Check the arm balance and playweight/bias and off you go with a huge grin on your face. Maintenance is simply dusting!!!!!!!

Apologies in going off on one, but the average Lp12 is a dogs dinner and was never meant to be "Fit and Forget!" That's what kept us dealers in business you see, selling all the upgrades to willing punters at the time. of course, now the bloody things are getting old, have had many owners no doubt with suspect setup skills and many good but well used main bearings in the early 80's are wearing out, Linn's coffers are waiting for remedial dosh to put them right..

No, nowt professional about a fruitbox.....


And I haven't even mentioned the old Techie yet - so many of them (1200mk2) in mastering rooms and playback studios all over the place...

Had to laugh at this - so so true......

[Rare Bird]

Let me get this right:
You take yout TT in to be reset up which is ok if your useless..you then stick it in car travel over lumps & bumps, potholes & what ever but yet you believe your TT is set back upto work optimum loike...

[Marco]

Hahaha... Indeed! If the job is to be performed optimally, then it has to be done in situ, at the home of the user. Nothing else will cut it the same.

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

It is very easy/simple to pack an LP12 for transport by car. Nothing will change, alter or go out of tune in the slightest if done correctly.

[Marco]

It's very easy to pack, Dave, *if* the job is done properly. In all honesty, however, how many people do you think will put in the required effort, instead of just bunging the T/T onto the back seat of a car, and if you're lucky, taking the platter off?

Personally, if I owned a decent LP12, I'd want my local dealer to pop out and service it for me, in situ, and would gladly pay for the privilege!

Marco.

[JazzBones]

Hahaha... Indeed! If the job is to be performed optimally, then it has to be done in situ, at the home of the user. Nothing else will cut it the same.

Marco.

Thats why I say, 'learn how to do it yourself!!! Do a proper job of it and and spend the money (if necessary) to learn how'. Don't forget all these Linn gurus had to be taught themselves, it did not happen for them overnight and Linn themselves marketed the mystique to keep the Linn Sondek LP12 flying out of dealer shops in the early days.... that folks is why TTs like the Techie, Logic DM101s, Aristons and so on were sidelined and the bulldust lives on in folklore.

[hifi_dave]

Back in the day, Linn were very pragmatic about such things. The mystique, hype and foo were all due to certain dealers, some of whom are still perpetuating the myths today.