Linn Sondek LP12 vs Micro Seiki BL-91
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Linn Sondek LP12 · Micro Seiki BL-91.
| Specification | Linn Sondek LP12 |
Micro Seiki BL-91 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Highlighted difference. £1,200 (used) | £1,300 (used) |
| Category | Vintage | Vintage |
| Status | current | discontinued |
| Years | 1973–present | 1980–? |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | None | None |
| Phono stage | No | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | two-piece machined zinc-alloy (mazak) | high-mass gunmetal-toned alloy |
| Tonearm | none (sold armless; commonly Grace, Ittok, Akito) | none (armboard for arm of choice; often MA-505) |
| Wow & flutter | — | — |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
The Linn Sondek LP12 undercuts the Micro Seiki BL-91 by £100 — £1,200 against £1,300.
Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.
The Micro Seiki BL-91 is discontinued, so that side of this comparison is really "used Micro Seiki BL-91 vs new Linn Sondek LP12" — factor in condition, service history and the lack of a warranty against a fresh unit with manufacturer support.
Bottom line: £100 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Linn Sondek LP12…
Merchant searches
5 UK merchants stock Linn — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cymbiosis | hifi independent | By arrangement; specialist installation | Search at Cymbiosis ↗ |
| Doug Brady HiFi | hifi independent | UK delivery; specialist setup | Search at Doug Brady HiFi ↗ |
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Grahams Hi-Fi | hifi independent | UK delivery; London demo rooms | Search at Grahams Hi-Fi ↗ |
| Hi-Fi Corner | hifi independent | UK delivery; Edinburgh & Falkirk stores | Search at Hi-Fi Corner ↗ |
Merchant searches
2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Vinyl Revival | music retail | UK delivery | Search at Vinyl Revival ↗ |