Linn Sondek LP12
Vintage & classic turntables · 1973–present In production
£1,200 typical UK used price · originally £86 (1973)
Ivor Tiefenbrun's suspended-subchassis belt-drive of 1973 built on the Ariston/Thorens template with a superior single-point bearing, and its 'source first' marketing reshaped British hi-fi. Still in production today, every part upgradeable, so vintage examples can be brought fully up to date.
Britain's most famous turntable — over 50 years in continuous production with a unique upgrade ecosystem.
Who it suits
Best suited to: buyers comfortable assessing used condition and budgeting for servicing (drive mechanism, bearing, stylus). Less ideal for: a no-hassle purchase with a manufacturer warranty — buy a current model instead.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history — for this drive type, check the drive belt (often perished or stretched with age) and bearing, plus the stylus regardless.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | two-piece machined zinc-alloy (mazak) |
| Tonearm | none (sold armless; commonly Grace, Ittok, Akito) |
| Years | 1973–present |
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Linn Sondek LP12…
Retailer 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 ↗ |
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