I have nearly finished the restoration of an early Linn Sondek and am offering it up for offers on this forum before throwing it to the masses on Trade Me.

It is a pre Valhalla version so I have powered it with a clone of the Armaggedon which in fact many users claim is superior anyway.

It is in amazingly good condition for its age and even the dust cover is original.

I have installed an SME 3009 with an Ortofon VMS20E Mk ii cartridge with brand new genuine stylus.

All electrics and electronics have been replaced and motor supply voltage and phasing capacitor selected for minimum vibration and totally silent operation.

Make me an offer I cant refuse.

Not a murmur, total silence !!

Looks like this hi fi icon will be thrown to the 'great unwashed' on Tard Me on the weekend.

What do you expect?

This is a HIFI forum and its a Linn Sondek, so not compatible...

How about $1?

Your time would be much better spent getting that 401 in top condition. Now that really is a HIFI component!

(Half tongue-in-cheek but mostly serious...)

The one-eyed Linnies will firebomb your letter box !!!!

The 401 is all sorted and ready for its proud owner to collect.

Once he has it, let us know how he finds it compared to his Linn.

I'll know he's deaf if he prefers the Linn...

Thats all a bit harsh on the poor old LP12 !! I'd be happy to own one (though probably not with that arm and cart), sadly i've already got 2 tables one of which is only for occasional use in the lounge. Completely different sound to a Garrard IMO (and yes ive owned both), Garrards really only come into their own once they have the plinths all sorted, again IMO and YMMV etc.

All tongue in cheek.

I have memories of an LP12 with the horrendous Ekos arm. Not good.
Each to their own.

A few years later a Linn with an RB300 sounded very good!

ittok was probably better than an ekos lol

table looks good but i left the mc boing-boing ship long ago.

Ah well, each to his own.

I'm sure you've figured out by now I'm a fan of the boing boing rubber band drive concept.

My Oracle is probably the boingest example going.

Its a buyers market for everything audio. Sad but true. Believe me Ive had plenty of pain when it comes down to what you think something is worth to what it actually leaves your posession for!

For a split second thought you had already listed it on TM -

www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/turntables/listing-1827054714.htm?rsqid=1378d08289f64134b0835911d529470d

But no, it is a tad different and has the lingo power supply. Also a tad pricy.
May have been interested in yours, but recently bought an unmolested LP12, and really can’t afford another! Mine has the Ittok, but do miss having an interchangeable headshell. Never owned a TT with an sme3009, an icon, maybe one day. And maybe one day an idler drive to complete the ensemble - though my very first proper TT was a Dual 1219, back in the 70s/early 80s. In hindsight it performed very well.

Ah no not mine !!
And certainly a bit pricy. I'll be aiming for about half that amount.
IMO a low compliance Denon DL103 on an SME 3009 improved low mass arm (6.5 grams)is a mismatch.
But if the owner is happy that's all that matters.

Count me also a fan of the rubber band boing boing concept. Although admittedly less of a fan during its yearly service...

yearly service on a linn ?

it must be broken !

Nov 8, 2018 9:57:09 GMT 12 michaelw said:

yearly service on a linn ?

it must be broken !

Sounds like a nice little earner for the local Linn agent !!

Annual servicing is definitely not necessary.

A new belt is usually too tight and will stretch a little in the first few months after which it will stay at the correct tension and be usable for years.

New springs will also settle in the first few months and will therefore require readjusting but after that will not alter for years, if ever.

Motor lubrication , maybe every 10 years as the oilite bushes retain the oil, and unless the main spindle bearing leaks the oil will stay in there almost indefinitely.

Its actually a Gyrodec, and yes serviced every year since 1981. Service includes a complete strip down, new oil belt and bearing, check speed, arm and motor alignment, set up suspension etc. I also take the opportunity to fit any upgraded components that have come along since 1981. To date that has included at least 2 power supply upgrades, 1 motor upgrade, 1 bearing upgrade, 3 new suspension designs or upgrades, a couple of platter clamp upgrades ( one I didnt bother with ), and a couple of platter changes. A bit like a woodsman axe really... I should mention that the original Sumiko MMT arm is now resident on my Kenwood KD600 having been replaced by a Jelco 750D and a Graham 2.2.

Im always quite impressed how nice it sounds after its service but maybe im just glad to have it finished ?

Ah yes, but the difference is you are doing this because you want to.( I hope !)
Not because some slick salesman told you that you had to.

No nibbles yet Graham ?

Lots of watchers but no bids yet.
You never know what's going to happen on Trade Me.

SOLD to a happy punter from Martinborough who will drive up to collect his new toy.

well done.

that's an epic drive from the depths of the wairarapa.