Aiming for what was once out of my reach
In all of my years of collecting vinyl records, I have only owned five turntables of three manufacturers. I started in 1981 with what at the time a student could afford: a Pioneer PL120 belt drive turntable. At the time it looked cool. I am sure it was not even set up properly but still, it did its thing. Then I read in the hifi magazines that we could find at the time about the Rega Planar 2 and 3. I ended up buying a whole new stereo system from The Sound Lab in Milpark – Rega Planar 3, NAD 3020B amplifier, and Boston A40 speakers. I was not in the Sondek league moneywise. Five years down the road I sold it all for a digital system.
The vinyl bug bit again in 2004 and I got another Planar 3, then a LP12, after that a Rega P7, and then again sold it all and left the country. Fourteen years later I was back and found what I believe will be my last turntable, a now 43-year old 1982 LP12. I could not be happier. Why go for an old turntable like this? Here are some thoughts, not scientifically proven and purely my own take on it.
- It is what I always wanted back in 1983 but could not afford then, what I briefly had in 2006, and what I did not plan on buying in 2023. I found it by accident. Somehow, it has little to do with sound quality, although I think we can agree that generally a LP12 that is set up well sounds good. There are many turntables out there that will trounce my Sondek. I guess it is like buying a classic car. It is never going to be remotely as good as the latest model but there is something about the vintage model you find attractive, appealing, and maybe even seductive.
- It just looks so classic with its wood plinth, aluminium top plate, and black armboard. This is what immediately catches the attention when people walk into my living room. You would normally expect a turntable to be silver of some sorts. Most do not associate a turntable with wood, until they learn more about them. Think back of the movie A Clockwork Orange (Transcriptors Hydraulic Reference Turntable), think Oracle, Michel, Clearaudio, Rega, and Avid. I think some of them look gorgeous. Some look ghastly. The LP12 on the other hand still retains the classic rectangular design.
- It combines good looks with great sound but will hardly be the best Sondek you can own right now, assuming we are talking about a 1980's model. The current LP12 Majik, Selekt, and Klimax models are years ahead in terms of development. But then, I am not remotely trying to get to the level of a fully rigged Klimax, or any other Linn turntable for that matter.
- Talking about good looks. Back in the day with the original specification, no two Sondeks ever looked the same. The grain in the wood used for the plinth had its own unique appearance. The original Afromosia wood used, even other types used later, like Oak and Rosewood, all look different. Some are darker, some are lighter. Some are smooth and flat, some are fluted. I like that. Even today's modern LP12 units that come in wood all look different. By the way, originally all Sondeks came with fluted plinths. Then it sort of went out of fashion. Today the retro look is back.
- It is not nearly as finicky to set up and maintain as people claim. Yes, you need someone with the right jig and tools to set up a pre-owned unit like I and others who frequent this website have (Thanks Dewald!), but once it has been set up, just leave it to do its thing and it will stay “in tune”.
- Parts are not always easy to get, but they are still available if you try. You need simple things to get an old LP12 going – bearing oil, maybe a new belt, maybe a recap of the Valhalla power supply, maybe even a new felt mat, although you can just vacuum the old one. Even a slightly warped or shrunk one will still be OK. Then again, there are other mat options available.
- More expensive parts may be the motor and arm. If you have a unit with a Basik or Ittok arm, it should still be in a good condition. If you cannot find Linn arms, there are many others what will work perfectly well. The SME 3009, Alphason HR100S, and Rega RB250/RB300 arms are examples of ones that work well on a LP12. Motors can be replaced, and even the original motors used with the Valhalla power supply are still available.
- The nice thing is that you can fiddle, within limits, and not be worried about voiding a guarantee. I have heard of owners (examples are here on the website) who have taken apart their turntable to sand down and restore the plinth, and then gradually rebuilt the unit, fixing and/or replacing bits along the way. This process offers interaction with the unit that many new turntables do not. In this respect the LP12 is still a turntable while many modern, minimalist ones are somehow like a CD player. You do not really interact with them the same way. My Rega turntables were like this. They were great turntables, both the Planar 3 and the P7, but they did not really allow you to "do anything with it". In the same way I still marvel at the artwork of my Dark Side of the Moon LP's gatefold cover and posters, I marvel at the piece of art that is my LP12. It is tangible. My Rega turntables on the other hand, and again, they were great units, warranted no special visual attention, like the inserts of CDs. Be honest, if you own Dark Side of the moon on CD/SACD, have you ever removed the printed material to read it in the same way you do with the vinyl version?
- Some upgrade their units until they barely resemble the original; some, like me, like the classic look of the LP12 and strive to keep it as original as possible. This is the great thing about the LP12 – it is customisable.
- Lastly, they are affordable. In South Africa a LP12 from about 1980 to 1990 will cost between R8 000.00 and R30 000.00 depending on the specification and condition. This is really not expensive when compared to some entry-level turntables that are in the same price range. They may sound good, even better than your LP12, but most really do not have the class your Sondek has. If you have found an advertisement for a LP12, send me the details so that I can check to see if you are not going to buy a lemon. I have caught out a few sellers who were trying to con potential buyers, and so I may not be too popular. As if I care.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. These are my thoughts on owning a vintage Linn Sondek LP12. You may feel differently. If you have a LP12 and would like to have your say, contact me and I will post your story.