Linn LP12 - Refreshing a Legend

It's been awhile since I posted and some friends have asked me to share a post on setting up and rebuilding  Linn LP12s which I have done many times.

This is photo story of a strip down and rebuilding of an early 80s Linn LP12, mechanics and tonearm, recently acquired from a friend. 

The rebuild actually started with the strip down and refurnishing of the "tired" plinth (which I did not take photos). The plinth is the earlier non-corner braced version with worn/aged finish but no major dent and dink or scratches. Unlike many LP12 of this era/age from our tropical/high humidity region, the integrity of the plinth is pretty decent/not compromised.

The original TT came with a white-lined bearing which I replaced with a used Cirkus bearing, clear lid and rebuilt Valhalla psu. I replaced all spares/comsumables. I initially wanted to install an Ittok LVII but ended up with the Ekos 2 just because the armrest borehole on the armboard has not been drilled.  

Here are the stripped down parts.


Close-up of some of the parts.


Motor mounted


Dome shaped spacers for motor tilt adjustments.


Top plated mounting


Installing the motor tilt screws



Cirkus bearing installed on recycled subchassis


New springs, grommets and locking nuts installed


Cross brace installed


Top-plate bolted down and integrity checked


Rebuilt Valhalla PSU


Valhalla PSU mounted


Motor wiring 


Incoming a/c wiring


Tonearm wire / p-clip installed and tensioned.


Vahalla switch mounted.


Wiring checked


Mounting a Linn Ekos 2.


Internal ground link installed


Armboard / Linn Ekos mounted and tonearm cable tathered


LP12 assembled, ready for spring adjustments /tuning


Springs adjustments and levelling


Armboard squared and bounce checked


Linn LP12 suspension tuned and ready for cartridge installation/listening test.


Wilson Benesch Matrix cart mounted and making music with a K&K Audio Max-Out phonostage.
  

A big thank you to friends who have supplied the Linn mechanics, Cirkus bearing, parts/consumables and helped rebuild the Valhalla board.

Contact me at 016-3838919 if you want your LP12 rebuilt/tuned.