Linn Service

[JazzBones]

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.

Dave, I believe one of them actually travels the world to set up LPs? You missed out on that one back on the cusp of the 70s and 80s

[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...

Absolutely, Ron. However, I'm also a believer, if necessary, in utilising someone else's greater expertise, and using it to my benefit

The best of these 'gurus', simply as a result of YEARS of experience of setting up and servicing LP12s, in my experience, can make them 'sing' like no amateur can, and if I had an LP12, I'd want a slice of that, rather than living with my own inferior efforts for some time until I'd acquired the same experience.

When I had my last LP12, every time John Watson (of Mana Acoustics) 'breathed' on it, it sounded amazing! Sadly, as with all LP12s, the effect was only short-lived, and with use, or going 'out of tune' again, or whatever, it quite quickly lost that magic...

The frustration of all that is largely what led me to the Techy, which no matter how many times is used, or disturbed in some way, always sounds superb!

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

Dave, I believe one of them actually travels the world to set up LPs? You missed out on that one back on the cusp of the 70s and 80s

Back in the 80's I spent a good part of every day making cables and setting up turntables. Back then it was largely FOC - the charging of hundreds of Pounds for a set up and service is a relatively recent phenomenon.

[JazzBones]

Absolutely, Ron. However, I'm also a believer, if necessary, in utilising someone else's greater expertise

The best of these 'gurus', simply as a result of YEARS of experience of setting up and servicing LP12s, can make them sing like no amateur can, and if I had an LP12, I'd want a slice of that, rather than living with my own inferior efforts for quite some time until I'd acquired the same experience.

When I had my last LP12, every time John Watson (of Mana Acoustics) 'breathed' on it, it sounded amazing! Sadly, as with all LP12s, the effect was only short-lived, and through use, it quite quickly lost that magic, through going 'out of tune' again, or whatever...

The frustration of all that is largely what led me to the Techy, which no matter how many times is used, or disturbed in some way, always sounds superb!

Marco.

Agreed Marco, BUT you can, with application and diligence, do its yourself. The difference between a professional and a competent and skilled amateur is one gets paid to do the job, the other gains experience and does a more considered job as it is for themselves and no hourly rate of money needs to be under consideration. I remember John Watson's Linn + Aro and how it sounded at his home in Middlesex (then) and it was one of the reasons, amongst other considerations, I learnt how to do it for myself No disrespect intended here, but there will always be people who have to call in a plumber to change a tap (fawcett) washer Probably why I enjoy both my LP12 and my Techy.

[Marco]

Lol... I totally get that. I do like doing some things myself - stuff that I'm confident I can do as good as or better than anyone else, but I also know my limitations, and acknowledge them accordingly!

The bottom line, for me, is that whatever job it is *must* be done to the highest possible standards, and if I can't trust myself to do it, then I'm perfectly happy to enlist the help of someone else who can

Marco.

[DSJR]

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?

Marco.

I knew what to do and took great pride in visiting client's houses to find the LP12 much as it left the shop. Once Linn got the springs and grommets sorted and the bolts parallel, the "creep" of the grommets was next to nothing - and vigorous jigging from side to side and heavy bouncing (cor missis ;eyebrows of the sub-chassis before the deck leaving the shop meant stability on long car journeys.

As mate dave says - loads of expensive Foo about this bloody thing, but most of what's left is down to the way the sample was built in the first place - this HAS got much better post Cirkus though and the few modern ones I dealt with just fell together easily and without strife

[accuphaseman]

Try Touchstone Audio. John specialisers in Lp12,and he is near Reading.

[Audioman]

My advice would be to save yourself Linn dealer service prices and do it yourself. If you had a Thorens 160 you probably wouldn't dream of paying a dealer? Setting up suspended decks is pretty similar for all and there are Linn set up instructons and advice on the net. I can't see there is any real magic with the Linn except it's awkward to work from underneath.

[walpurgis]

Paul's talking sense.

The Sondek is an uncomplicated device really, despite the apparent mystique, which I'm sure is put about by people in the trade wanting to make a bob or two out of servicing/setting up the things.

If you apply the same principles that you'd use with an old Thorens you should not go wrong. A bit of basic understanding of simple engineering/mechanical principles is all you need. Put it this way, if you can put a shelf up level on a wall, you're qualified to do your Linn.

[MartinT]

Thanks again, chaps. All being relayed to my friend.