Mine is from 1982 and was one of the very first Valhallas.
I went along with my Dad to audition it against the Logic DM101 at Subjective Audio in Camden and it was no contest. My Dad bought it in Afromosia (rosewood was too expensive) with Basik LVX tonearm and cartridge to start off with and upgraded to the Ittok a year or so later. It had a few cartridges along the way - Dynavector Karat Ruby, Asak, Asaka, Asaka again before he retired it in 1995 owing to circumstance and it sat dormant for a while.
I have it now as he gave it to me a few years ago and there is not a lot left of the original (outer platter only!) as I had it brought gradually up to date.
Now it has new rosenut plinth, Cirkus, Armageddon, Aro and DV17D3 cartridge.
There must be some even older samples out there I would have thought. How old is yours and do you know your LP12's entire history?
Mark
Mine is originally from '82 as well and was with Afromosia plinth, Valhalla PSU and Ittok. Not a single part is left in the TT I now call #1 LP12.
In my #2 LP12 some of the original parts from the '82 model are used; the top-plate incl. the belt guide, the lid hinge brackets, the lid and the outer platter.
In my #3 LP12 there are three of the original parts as well; the motor, the bearing and the innerplatter.
Parts not used; plinth, lid hinges, armboard and subchassis.
RIP
My LP12 is from 1985, originally Afromosia with a Valhalla, black springs, Ittok LV-II and Linn Asak. Added the Zener diode mod myself, then a Linn Karma which was retipped in 2002. In 2003 installed the Cirkus Kit and Trampolin I and in 2005 changed the Valhalla for a Lingo.
It still has the original flutted Afromosia plinth.
Mine was originally bought in August 1980 for the princely sum of £340 - I already had an SME arm and a cartridge so I had these fitted. Then, the LP12 just came with a fitted PSU - I later upgraded to the Valhalla on its release, and had all the mods (apart from the corner bolt) done over the years - now the only original item on my turntable is the (much in need of a polish) platter...
Mick.
If I remember correctly mine was bought around August of 1980 also. Had a Grace arm and, it was a long time ago, can't recall the cartridge. s/n 033350. Upgraded through time to current stage. Now I'm wondering if the maxed out TT is the next move or if the KDS would be better money spent.
Mine has s/n 028477 on a white "patent pending" label under the platter and 23433 (without the first zero) on the back plate, making it a hybrid of a 1978 and a 1979, I guess. It came with a Grace G707 arm and F9E cart. Now I'm on an Akito2/DV10x5 set-up.
Does every LP12 carry the s/n in those two places?
DD
Hi,
mine is built in 1990, it was one of the LP 12 BASIK with beloved afromosia. It has got Cirkus and a very old Ittok LV II MK I before I bought it in 2003 from a dealer for a very small EUR.
I changed the Basik PSU to a used Valhalla, some carts (K9, ADIKT, AT 33 ML, Klyde, borrowed Troika, DL 304 and again Klyde. (Now I'm searching again a Troika to buy))
... and it has installed a DIY alloy subchassis.
Next will be the Troika-cart, DIY PSU and the DIY bold mod
cheers
If I remember correctly mine was bought around August of 1980 also. Had a Grace arm and, it was a long time ago, can't recall the cartridge. s/n 033350. Upgraded through time to current stage. Now I'm wondering if the maxed out TT is the next move or if the KDS would be better money spent.
Wasn't the cartridge silver and green??? If so, I think it was a Supex F9E. It was the most sold LP12 combination sold in those days.
Hi,
Mine is 1979 vintage. Bought it with a grace arm & Supex cartridge. Replaced the arm & cartridge in '84 with an Ittok & Kharma. Other than re-tipping the Kharma, haven't changed it since.
Still sounds pretty damned good.
Chris
Highlander,
Who rettiped the Linn Karma, Linn themselves or Expert Stylus?
I'm looking for feedback on the Expert Stylus retipping service on a Linn cartridge. I have a spare Klyde with NO cantilever (got vaporized!!!) and would like to get it fixed just in case my Karma dies....