Retro Audio Review #3 - The Linn Sondek (1984 version) - The best deck ever, or is it all hype

The Linn Sondek - To some the best record player ever made ... to others an overpriced copy of a Thorens ... I'm expecting a record number of 'dislikes' for this one

[willbuckley]

Bought my Sondek in 1979. Has the red push-in starter and no updates at all. And now 43 odd years later, it is still the same and works perfectly. It is fitted with a
Syrinx gold arm and Asak cartridge. Just the stylus has been changed. Brilliant!!!

[bobrose]

It was the engineering specs that sold me initially, but when I got it home I was completely blown away. Add some Naim amplification and some Linn speakers (Isobariks) and it was truly stunning. Not much has been said about the older Naim amps but these were pivotal bits of kit. Your mention of the Pink Triangle and other bits of kit brought memories flooding back, wonderful. Oh, and I still have it all, just wish I'd never sold the 250 to get the 135s. Glorious times the eighties, or is it just nostalgia?

[johnnybgoode]

Linn has a mystique because no one thought turntables even made a difference at the time it was introduced. It was thought that turntables were completely passive devices and speakers were where the rubber met the road. Linn showed that acoustic isolation, speed stability, controlling motor noise and reducing extraneous motion between stylus and groove were important. While perhaps never being the best turntable and highly derivative of Ed Villchur's AR design, it was nevertheless a novel demonstration of the relative importance of source components.

[Michael-xznk]

Hi Phil, thanks for reviewing an old friend. I got my first of three LP12's in 1984 and bought into the Life For Life" proposition. All three had the gorgeous ridged afromosia plynth. These days, I listen to 100% streamed digital and still use 3 different Linn LK (from the early 2000's) systems with various speakers to enjoy all my music. I love their compact chassis and wonderful sound for my taste. I have every intention of enjoying them the rest of my life.

BTW, the LP12 was never inexpensive for most, myself included. I did a lot of savings and sacrificed to get my first Linn. Nontheless, it truly enhanced my life so it was all worth it.

Cheers!

[CaptWillard]

I have one just like it!
Rosewood Plinth, Valhalla, Pre Circus bearing, Black Ittok, Troika.
Cheers!

[tonyjedioftheforest]

Watched this a few times now and love your general hifi advice. I had been seriously considering popping over and having a listen and a chat about the Rega P8 and Nottingham turntables that you recommended on your channel but distance is an issue for me as I am housebound and I rely on my wife to drive.
Unfortunately I had to find someone closer to me in South Yorkshire but did feel a bit guilty as I watch every video you put on YouTube. I took the plunge and after nearly 50 years wanting one I have purchased a 2022 Linn LP12. It’s being delivered and set up tomorrow.
Due to blowing my budget I had to go for the Sumiko Pearl cartridge to put me on but I am sure I will need to upgrade later so will be in touch sometime next year for something better. I will be happy to do this over the phone and will be also happy to have it posted to give you a sale.
Once again thank you for all your videos Phil including your news and record reviews, I have bought several on your trusted recommendations. You have one of the very best channels on YouTube

[humanitech]

As a fun loving bunch of hippies, bikers, music lovers and hedonists...many of us back in the 80's explored drugs, music and hifi (and many other things😂)...and so had a mix of linn/naim, thorens / armstrong, garrard / marantz, mitchell and quad gear .... but for me, my pink triangle and little myst amp were somehing special ...which I loved (....and luckily I must of had a good ones as they had zero issues for over a decade) which I eventually sold to friend to then go travelling! Which are still going strong with the usual sevicing.

Now I just have a digital based system - hard drive media and stream....but still remember those good old days...but unlike many vinyl enthusiasts I never liked all phaff and ceremony of vinyl...but it sure sounded good.

[Soundapple]

Thanks for putting the sondek in context - your experience is priceless!

[davidryan]

Could never Afford a Linn back in The day So i ended up buying a Ariston RD80 which had the Linn Basik LVV tonearm, Which i still have and use daily.. Although Its Now over 40 years old now it stills works, Sounds Great and the as the old saying goe's, ,if it ain't broke don't fix Video By The Way.

[massimostefani]

Linn have made some great Hifi and I live very close to their factory here in Glasgow Scotland. I've had two LP12 Sondeks first very similar to the one on your video bought in 1988 with an Ittok tonearm and K18 Cart. Currently have a Technics 1200GR with Ortofon 2M Black and prefer it to the LP12 with rock solid build quality and precise speed - I had Valhalla and Hercules power supplies in my LP12s and found them to be weakest parts. Still have my Linn Kaber speakers from the early 90s on my main Hifi and a pair of Linn Tukan speakers on my desk - both really good. My son has his eyes on getting my Linn Majik-I amp which I replaced with a Yamaha AS-1100 so all my Linn gear still playing music well for decades now. Linn's prices for their HiFi no longer appeal to the masses more so for the yacht clubs but the second hand market is where I would be picking up their gear now.

[terryneilbooth]

Purchases my Sondek in the early 80s second hand. Continued to upgrade the deck to the highest spec over years. Eventually it was partnered with the Linn Ekos Arm and Linn Troika Cartridge. Absolute superb sound output partnered with the Naim HI Cap, 32 Pre amp, 250 Power amp and Linn Saras. Happy days!! I don’t have the set up now but after 30 years the resale values were incredible. Never had any problems with Sondek in terms of reliability. My first T.T was a Dual 505-1. Great interesting review and look forward to further trips down memory lane👍

[humphreygokart]

I have a Thorens TD 150 improved by Loricraft to make it almost like a Linn Sondek. It has a new and bigger plinth, a broader arm board, an SME 3009 tonearm with a Shure V15IVHE (NOS) and a Van den Hull cable. I think it was modified mid to late 80s and at the time was claimed to be as good as, or even better, than the Sondek. I've never seen another Loricraft modded TD150 than my own, and I can't find any info on the net. I wonder if anyone knows how it truly compares with the Linn Sondek, or if anyone has a suggestion for another arm/MC cartridge.

[paulbatstone]

Some of us could never afford the Linn when it first came out and had to settle for a Sugden Connoisseur BD1 Kit with an SAU2 arm, had that all the way through Uni

[rongreen]

I bought an LP12 in the late eighties and only sold it two years ago. With hindsight my current Origin Live Resolution is a much better turntable, the sound is astonishing.

[mikebooth]

My Sondek used to suffer with radio breakthrough until I had it Lingoed which cured it. At the time I thought that I was using the best deck ever. After all Chris Frankland said so and nobody seemed to disagree! The best turntable that I ever saw and heard is the Kronos unit. If I had the money for one of those it might tempt me back into vinyl!

[tonyjedioftheforest]

I wish that I had bought one instead of the unreliable Pink Triangle. The Pink had a wider sound stage and more detail to my ears but spent months away being repaired. I will probably buy one next year but will make do with my Systemdek XII 900 in the meantime.

[johnschofield]

I bought my LP12 in 1982 and by 1985 I had upgraded the arm and had the valhalla board fitted. After doing this I bought about 8000 LP's and true to the hype I played mine everyday. I got it as part of the £1000 hi fi, which was an LP12 with basic a naim nait and a pair of Linn Kans mark one (at the time I wasn't 100 percent but it didn't take me long to realise that as a system it was the greatest bargain in hifi). I sold the Nait and Kans (a few years ago), also I am down to just 3000 lps- I don't really play records anymore, even though I've still got the Linn, but its not been touched for a long long time... I might have to go to Cheshire Audio as clearly it does need a skilled hand on it, though I wonder about cost ? . It probably isn't the best ever turntable but it's very close. I never found a record that didn't fit that spindle....

[marvellousmusic]

I think the Linn is good, i have had one myself, but i think the upgrades and price of it is crazy. I also had a Linn axis which is great but the power supply goes. There is an upgrade every 5 minutes, if its good why so many upgrades and the drive belt is £50. If i was to buy one again it would be a second hand one with either a Linn ittok LVIII, or an Ekos 1, because they are very good arms and don't cost £5000, or an arm from John at AO, oh and it was John who recommended you to me. Have you heard about the systemdek 3D. What about SME turntables, they have been around i think either 20 or 30 years longer than LINN. Thank you.

[rogeregisley]

The early pre Valhalla upgrade, Linn Sondeks, were coloured and lacked resolution compared to a Pink Triangle or an Oracle turntable, but were more engaging due to their superior pace, rhythm and timing.
However, post the various upgrades, Sondeks are far less coloured and have become highly resolving without losing their PRaT. That said, it is possible to come close to or to even better the current range of Linn's decks sonic capabilities with tts from Rega, Pro-ject and even Technics for far less money.

[deantaylor]

Got my one in 85….only mods are arm board and motor …..recent springs sand grommets…still love it …would never sell it …. Best hifi investment I ever made ….