New Linn Sondek Selekt LP12 Michael explains Linn turntable range from Majik to Selekt to Klimax.

Oops! I made a big mistake! In the video I wrongly said that the Lingo4 had a DC motor. Brain Freeze! It does of course have an AC motor, the Radikal has a DC motor!
Why do you need a Radikal ? Or a Kendo Arko Lingo Ekstatik Urika 1 or even Urika 2 ? What are they what do they do and how am I even meant to know ?? Aaaargh!
If you've felt like this about hifi then chill, relax and let Michael explain the Linn turntable range in a way that makes sense

[@kevinkelly6417]

Bought my Linn in the 80s and there's nothing left of that original deck except 3 black bolts. Today it sounds wonderful and up to spec with all the latest mods. Still sounds fantastic and worth every penny spent on it.

[@russputin6294]

If you'd saved all the old parts you could have a second linn for the price of three new bolts then..... 😊

[@SimonLloydGuitar]

Great decks but in all honesty they are a triumph of marketing over engineering and plagiarism over ingenuity. I remember the press frenzy back in the day, like a religion and this cult continues to this day. Even then I thought the Thorens TD160, Pink Triangle, Michell and Oracle were all as good if not much, much better. Looking underneath one, i couldnt believe the plinth was made from chipboard.

[@watdanuqta-mf5ms]

@@SimonLloydGuitar No way an LP12s plinth is chipboard, only kiln-dried hardwood, even the painted plinths.

[@Malcm59]

What a highly informative and easy to grasp presentation - excellent work as ever !👍

[@danielmarshall4587]

What an lovely explanation thank you..... and what a LOVELY collection of Sondeks, thank you.

[@martinjn2920]

Many years ago when I was a young man just starting work my love apart from beer and the ladies was music, with a great music shop in town I spent many an hour listening to various set-ups and ultimately ended up help out in exchange for vinyl or bits of gear, I auditioned a LP12 on a number of occasions and considered it to be one of if not the best TT in the store. Sadly I moved away due to a job change and never ended up owning that LP12 I promised myself. Now all these years later back on my list of TT's to audition is an Sondek LP12, probably only a Majik version not sure the Mrs would agree to either of the others, I enjoy music with 80% on Vinyl, so for me this could be my last TT and replace my much loved RP3. Great video and you have a new subscriber. Thanks.

[@stephanea5364]

Take your balls back.

[@scrunts666]

Many years ago, back in the early 90's. I heard a Linn LP-12. I do not know how old it was, but my friend who owned it bought it used for £300. It had an Ittok arm and an Asaka cartridge. I had my mind blown by just how good it sounded, not a single pop or crackle on any record, just perfect music. He had it connected to a Pioneer A-400 and playing through a pair of Mission 781 speakers, the dual woofer version, not the older ones. It was just amazing. With this in mind, I never understand how they think they can improve on that.

[@92trdman]

Thanks for keeping the classic model alive !

[@MichaelDoran-gh6pv]

Thank you. Informative and professional.

[@user-nf3uf8wh6u]

Great video Michael, and extremely well explained. I still live in hope!

[@andrewjacob4185]

Once again a flawless unedited commentary! Great videos Michael and if I lived closer I’d buy this stuff from you! 👍

[@andydogdixon1]

I’d buy from him also. But I’m in Charlotte North Carolina😢

[@kellythomas1933]

I met the man who designed it

[@rtflone]

@@andydogdixon1 What an amazing coincidence, @andydog, so am I. In Charlotte, NC. I would love to have Michael near by to keep my gear sorted. It's all 1980 vintage - LP12 w/Asak and Ittok, B&W 802s, Boothroyd Stuart Meridian preamp w/moving coil phono stage paired to 100 watt mono power amps. Had it all since new and just like today everyone thought the prices were off the scale. If I remember correctly, the LP12 w/arm and cart was $3500. The 802s were $4K, and the Meridians were $2500. I was the rep at the time. That was retail price my discount as a rep was 15% off that. Love to pay those prices today, yeah? There was no US importer for Linn, B&W, Meridian or almost any British hifi. I had to bring everything across the border from Canada then to Buffalo. A regular pain in the bummers with all the import duties and paperwork. Was it worth it? You bet..

[@chk5306]

Oh, what a great Linn Sondek LP12 is... Great sound !

[@DesmondBorcherds]

It was my utter privilege to attend a course at Linn in 1990. After that I was entrusted to assemble all the Linn LP12s imported into South Africa as CKO. It always was and will be the best turntable

[@larkop6504]

How did you manage to get on one of these courses? I'm in a different country that will rapidly get richer so Linn will grow here due the people being very musically inclined

[@veronicaweir3596]

Brillant ! both videos really informative. Will call you soon.

[@stanislavsugar8778]

Very nice video!!! Well done …

[@Foxrock321]

I have the 2000 Sondek LP 12 with the Lingo power supply and black Ekos tone arm with a Sumiko Starling mc cartridge…the sound is amazing ..so I guess mine lines up with the Selekt version…..my plinth was custom made by a chap in Spain.. it’s a beautiful site to behold under that huge piece of acrylic that cover it all..like pheasant under glass..

[@paulaston9256]

Great simple description of how to look at buying the majiek and going out of the shop with a new mortgage to pay 😂😂

[@carminedesanto6746]

Well..I’ve got my 1990’s Lin LP12 ..sitting in a closet ( fully disassembled and stored in the original box) ..maybe..it’s time to fall in love with analog again 😊

[@andydogdixon1]

Oh my God!

[@andydogdixon1]

Unbelievable congratulations!

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@andydogdixon1 I’m still running the cd 💿 player from the time I had room filing gear . Denon 3520 ( The Beast) ..they only made 2500 of these ,it was their flagship and as a stand alone unit it still kicks ass. Btw..the Linn has the Ittok arm and a Koetsu Black MC cartridge . If I want to get her going again I’d consider an obvious complete tune up , new sub chassis along with a new main bearing .

[@99fulham99]

my LP12 + Valhalla circa 1982 also stored Ridiculous new prices for a very Heath Robison TT

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@99fulham99 I’m thinking of getting the new main bearing ..and calling it a day 😆 Best of the Christmas season to you and yours.

[@stephendacey4916]

Thanks for such a nice description of the available LP12's, having the EKOS SE arm fitted on my own LP12, (built from upgrade parts) I am now considering the Ekstatik cartridge. My concern over this is the removal of the cover since the needle is so exposed. Is there a particular method I should consider as I guess its game over if it goes wrong.

[@The70s80scollection]

Often wondered what would I replace my old Ariston Audio RD 40 with, and it seems a LINN LP12 is a natural choice, and on a few levels, for those who know their HiFi history there's a DNA connection between Ariston Audio (Prestwick, Scotland) and LINN, I just need to start saving up.. BTW thanks for posting this, great explanation of the differences between them all.

[@PBlaik]

Love the detailed explanation of the product lineup - if I understand correctly, the Klimax comes with the Radikal and the Urika phono-stage for the included Ekstatik MC cartridge???

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Yes that's right, so it's LP12, Keel, Radikal, Ekos SE, Ekstatik and Urika

[@Geezeroo]

Is it worth getting a decent turntable to use as a source for KEF LS50s? Given that they digitise the analogue signal in?

[@aerobill8554]

Unobtanium 😂 great overview. Still a linn digital owner. My 16 yo daughter is now into vinyl, so… contemplating 😊

[@borisspantic1333]

I have vpi but looking forward to Linn-

[@1697djh]

Would be nice if you also had the Jony Ive designed LP12-50 in the comparison. Nice explanation!

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Thanks for that. Would be nice if I had a spare 50k to buy one! Probably have the full Linn range here most of the time but I don't have a queue of clients waiting to by the Jony Ive version, unfortunately!

[@bradstubbings2672]

That Selekt LP12 looks familiar!

[@SimonP2]

Still using my LP12/Ekos/Troika from the 1980s and digitising it with a Parks Audio Waxwing. Every bit as good as fully digital recordings but makes you tap your feet more.

[@watdanuqta-mf5ms]

You must have had to have the cartridge rebuilt a number of times. I had a Troika and had it rebuilt twice by the Garrot Bros.

[@Bipen2]

A DC motor in the Lingo 4 now, is that correct? I thought it was an 12 V AC motor. Have Linn changed that recently?

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Hi Berndt-Inge, sorry about that it is an AC motor, must have had a brain freeze during the recording, thanks for pointing it out. Michael

[@michaelakamatsu]

@@michaelmcclean5169 When you said it, I knew that you knew better. Klimax LP12 (Kandid) here. Brilliant!

[@anyblunder6782]

It’s still a great turntable, but the one from 2004 with full specs is still the one most faithful to the Linn sound signature. Warm and involved with the broadest soundstage of any source. These new Linns are very detailed but you get tired of listening to it very quickly. Whereas the 2004 is effortless to listen to and has that Linn magic no one could define. It’s there though.

[@johnbravo7542]

Any Blunder let me guess,you have that model right?

[@anyblunder6782]

@@johnbravo7542 yes, with Ivor Tiefenbrun’s signature on it. He built it for very good friends of ours who had an audio store.

[@alanwilliams4835]

I’m very curious what was the spec Linn LP 12 2004 model

[@user-rw9rm8wr2g]

Hi Michael.I have linn acurate edition.So please tell me which power cable is the best partner for my lingo 4?

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Hi, power cables can be difficult to recommend, you can have difefrent results in different houses. The one that Linn supply is a good fit and works well. I have tried expensive cables that are worse! I like the AudioQuest mains cables, NRG Z, or the Rega Reference, see if you can borrow one from a local dealer or check that you can return it if it sounds worse in your room. Good luck ! Michael

[@user-rw9rm8wr2g]

@@michaelmcclean5169 thank you Michael from Greece.I'll try first wirwworld power csbles

[@michaelmcclean5169]

@@user-rw9rm8wr2g I thought that was Greek script, amazing country. I was in Thessalonika and Paxos this year, fantastic.

[@nicholasrigg8999]

The best upgrade I made to my system recently was to put my Sondek on a light platform I made out of basswood. Definition and imaging so much better than when it was sitting on a heavy stand. Cost £20. Just saying ..

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Thanks Nicholas. I often see people using heavy materials, marble or slate, under systems and saying it's an improvement. I don't know the construction of their walls, floor etc so this could be true however......heavy things aren't dead, they just vibrate at a lower frequency. Is that better or worse? You can listen in your own system and surroundings but I usually find it to be worse! Discuss !

[@mauriziolagaxio4954]

I have one LP12 almost Klimax level and I don’t suggest anymore to start upgrading because it is silly and I think for performance is already enought the Majik version

[@alexandermikhailov2481]

Nice museum pieces. I'm off to my 1200G.

[@LuxmanPD272]

Still have my Linn/Grace/Supex with Hercules. I’ve heard all 3 current models and still prefer my original. Linn are brilliant in producing different versions of the Emperor’s new clothes. 😂

[@itsonlyme9938]

I purchased second hand in 1983 Linn LP12 with a Vallhala psu and a Ittock arm for £300. I am gob smacked at the price these days even second hand price's have gone through the roof. Tempted to sell it I m on a winner chicken dinner.

[@yogi9631]

I have the original Linn. The new ones Goes against everything Linn was originally designed for.

[@simonyau2430]

Michael, you need to add a contact telephone no. or email if you want people to come and see you to spend some money! Thanks for the videos, very informative although I'm not sure I would be tempted to spend that much on a TT Keep up the good work.

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Thanks Simon, I was hoping that if people wanted to ask about buying hifi they would be able to find me! Maybe I’m too naive so [e-mail] Best Michael

[@michaelbooth6007]

In my day an entry level Linn cost around £350 ish. I had an all singing and dancing model with a Lingo + Ittok and then Aro. If I was looking to get into vinyl again I wouldn't buy a Linn. I also had the Klout power amp. I wouldn't buy another one of those either ( they don't make them now ). There are much better, cheaper turntables! If money was no object I would have The Kronos turntable, not an LP12.

[@stevocarton]

Hi Michael, unfortunately the Linn turntables are out of my budget. Could you name a few turntables that you would recommend under €1000 please. Thanks for you time.

[@aayazahmed5389]

Linn Majik doesn't have the lingo switch, it will be quite difficult to change the speed unlike the other two.

[@SimonP2]

With mine from the 1980s, I have to take off the platter and put a collar on the motor spindle to set it to 45RPM!

[@aayazahmed5389]

@@SimonP2 You have to take off the platter everytime when you want to play an EP, sounds uncomfortable to me.

[@josefserf1926]

50 years of trying to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse have made clever Linn an awful lot of money. One side of the top is still not supported??

[@greggles69]

I've always had a hankering for an LP12 , but I prefer the simplicity of a Rega deck (plus the Selekt/Klimax models are well out of reach financially). I'm currently watching with interest an ebay auction of a Rega RP10 from a certain Belfast based HiFi emporium!

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Hi Greg, unfortunately that's gone. Local guy wanted it and as there were no bids it's ok to remove it. He has traded in a Planar 8 Apheta 2 if you're interested?? Best wishes Michael

[@54tristin]

All in an attempt to get it to sound as good as a $2000 cd player.

[@gezparks9630]

Linn are excellent but with prices the way they are their products and those of many others have become all about the hi fi and forget about the music. Bonkers.

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Hi Gez Knowing the Linn guys they haven’t forgotten the music, they still love it. Engineering great products is very expensive and they genuinely try to keep their entry level prices low. It annoys me more that many products that cost more are put together with cheap plastics, they’re poor musically and still get decent reviews!

[@jctai100]

For roughly a price of a Majik, you could get a Thorens TD1601 or a Technics 1200G. I'm sure they'd both give the first 2 models a run for the money. The Technics SP1000 would absolutely destroy the Klimax.

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Maybe you should go for a listen

[@UserTX808]

Never understand the hype about this weird tt

[@mauriziolagaxio4954]

It is very well built

[@streamlinetrader2691]

As an engineer, I can tell you as scientific fact that Linn products are inferior to less expensive products. One only has to look at the published tolerances of the Ekos arm by Linn and other products against say the RB3000 arm to see this. As for the Ekos being manufactured from titanium.... Pleeeease! It's a turntable arm FFS. No need. NONE! Overengineered. All you pay for is branding, marketing and overengineering. Yes, it's about the sound. but there are plenty of brands that offer superior products at better price points. Alas people get sold to and buy into hype rather than believing their own ears.

[@mmakshak]

Even earlier editions(e.g. pre-cirkus bearing, as heard on KZbin) of the LP12 are musical. Linn took what was available at that time, and made the most of it.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Linn is evil! I want everything they make, and I do not even have a clue what that is! It just looks right..er, somehow

[@andyrenorocks]

😂

[@SimonLloydGuitar]

I never understood why Linn insisted on these stupid spellings. So Korneey.

[@Fontsman]

It was never the best turntable. It's a very fine turntable but does not compare to the likes of SME, ClearAudio, Nagra and many others. It was the best marketed no doubt!

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Everyone entitled to an opinion, which I love, but when you name examples you lose your credibility! Not going to assassinate particular brands in print but really? Have you listened to those three compared to a Linn ???

[@Fontsman]

@Michael McClean If you think that a Linn can outperform an SME model 60 with their new arm, then you are most definitely in a tiny minority. The Linn has been a great flagship but it is massively overpriced when compared to other manufacturers.

[@michaelmcclean5169]

@@Fontsman so of the 3 you mentioned the sme is the only one where the engineering work is highly respected so well done for picking that. Then you say the Linn is overpriced when it is far cheaper ! And with a better arm! I think And with a great cartridge included! Anyway I like the SME and hope you enjoy yours when you spend your 50,000 on it. Good to banter with you Michael

[@Fontsman]

@Michael McClean I will! Don't get me wrong, I respect what Linn have done. They created all the turntable debate in the UK way back. But I think they could really do with starting from scratch on a new high end model as things have really moved on from that basic design. I'm waiting to see what the final Wilson Benesch TT will be like but I think I may have to save a bit for that one!

[@mortlach186]

The Naims better.

[@michaelmcclean5169]

You can be completely correct in the context of your system and also as long as you are happy that's what really counts. Even if you are in the minority that has never bothered me before, so enjoy!

[@mortlach186]

@@michaelmcclean5169 Wow, that was a fast response. It must have bothered you just a bit? But that was my point, I wanted to get a rile out of you, sorry about that. First, I have been a Linn owner since 1986-87, I forget exactly and have heard all or just about all the iterations of the LP12 and I just love it. After the bearing update, I stopped at another dealer(friends of mine for years) on the way home, and when I told them I had my table in the car, they asked if I could bring it in so they could give it a listen. We compared it to their monstrous(my description) VPI; a table with a choice of belt or rim drive and probably weighed four times my turntable, not to mention size. Hell, the motor part weighed more than the LINN. Very pretty in all its silver and black finish. Well the two Lps I brought with me showed the difference immediately; To put it succinctly, the VPI sound was homogenized. Quiet? yes. Low or no surface noise ? Yes. And that was about it. My Linn? Well, Billy Cobham's Storm, a two minute percussion assault(if you haven't heard it, Oh, get it) was shifting phase, the kit is being processed, with a guttural punch, and bottom end that just escaped the VPI. And quieter, more detailed. One of the things besides the spectacular performance of Starker's Bach cello suites are all these late night sounds in the recording, a bus pulling away from the curb, subway trains passing underneath, the thermal energy of the air in the hall, that liveliness that makes Starker sing, almost all missing from the VPI. I don't know if the VPI was setup right but it unimpressed and frankly, I think, embarrassed by my LP12. Even the employees at the dealer heard this with one employee abstaining who knocked the Linn dated design (his words), I think didn't want to admit the Linn bested his setup. Now my Linn is cared for from a dealer in town that are or were Linn fanatics as long as they have been in business, I think over forty years now. Ken is a recording engineer and has done recordings for Naim including Starker(I was at the concert) and is an adjunct professor at a local college here. His partner John probably knows more or at least as much as anyone you're likely to meet about Linn tables. They've had the Naim for months now and you can compare them at your leisure. Will I be purchasing one? No. I'm happy with what I have and will ultimately die owning it. By the way, I went through training at the Linn distributors in the states in the eighties and visited Glasgow, the old factory, not the gorgeous new facility. I'll have to dig up the woolen sweater I got at Linn although, it more than likely won't fit.

[@David-xl9cp]

And then you put a £20 bit of plastic on it with very poor quality control, so you are now into buying a different genres of music (jazz seems to play a big part in excellent recordings) on better vinyl control and quality control. But as we know, ever time you play a record, you are reducing the quality. Having said that, the Linn is an amazing turntable.

[@kosiekoos9408]

Overpriced

[@michaelmcclean5169]

Compared to what?

[@johndunnburgess6403]

It's time to stop putting Made in Scotland and start putting Made in the UK or Made in Great Britain, Typical Jock's.

[@JamieBulloch1]

Why? typical sassenach!

[@frankieboy5859]

LP 12s are outrageously overrated. Nothing ever will justify these just overexaggereted price tags. No matter which level. No LP12 came even close to my TD125MkII with a Jelco Arm and AT33 Sa. Just overpriced BS.

[@chinapig71]

That fingerlift on the Krane though.... awful.

[@garth56]

Makes a great doorstop.. Still the worst TT I've ever heard it's a pile of ....!!! It's not worth £500..PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS CRAP!!!

[@terrycullen3262]

Nonesence