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Category: Turntables

27 Jun
Linn Sondek LP12 Turntable

The Linn Sondek LP12 : An Icon in High-End Audio

The Linn Sondek LP12: An Icon in High-End Audio The Linn Sondek LP12 is a turntable that has garnered an iconic status among audiophiles and high-fidelity enthusiasts since its introduction in 1973. Produced by Linn Products, a Scottish company founded by Ivor Tiefenbrun, the LP12 is celebrated for its exceptional sound quality, modular design, and enduring appeal.   Origins and Design Philosophy The inception of the Linn Sondek LP12 stemmed from Tiefenbrun’s belief that the turntable is the most crucial component in a hi-fi system. His philosophy emphasized that a high-quality turntable could extract more information from vinyl records, significantly enhancing the overall listening experience. This was a revolutionary concept at a time when loudspeakers were often considered the most critical element of audio systems. The LP12’s design is minimalist yet meticulous. It features a suspended sub-chassis design aimed at isolating the platter and tonearm from external vibrations. This design helps in minimizing resonance and mechanical noise, allowing for a more precise and faithful reproduction of the music stored in the vinyl grooves. The turntable’s construction utilizes high-quality materials and precision engineering, reflecting Linn’s commitment to excellence. Modularity and Upgradability One of the most distinctive features of the Linn Sondek LP12 is its modularity. Over the decades, Linn has continually offered upgrades and enhancements, allowing owners to improve their turntables without replacing the entire unit. This modular approach has contributed significantly to the LP12’s longevity and relevance in the ever-evolving world of audio technology. Key upgrades have included advancements in power supply units, tonearms, cartridges, and even the sub-chassis itself. Notable upgrades include the Lingo power supply, which offers more stable and accurate motor control, and the Keel sub-chassis, which provides improved rigidity and resonance control. Such upgrades enable users to tailor their LP12 to their specific preferences and technological advancements, ensuring it remains at the cutting edge of performance. Sound Quality The Linn Sondek LP12 is renowned for its exceptional sound quality. Audiophiles often describe its sound as natural, dynamic, and detailed. The turntable excels in providing a warm and immersive listening experience, with a strong emphasis on musicality. Its ability to reveal subtle nuances and intricate details in recordings has made it a favorite among those who seek the highest fidelity in vinyl playback. The LP12’s sound signature is characterized by a deep, tight bass, a clear and articulate midrange, and smooth, extended highs. Its ability to maintain pitch stability and timing accuracy further contributes to its musicality, making it a turntable that not only reproduces music but also conveys the emotion and intent behind each recording. Cultural Impact and Legacy The Linn Sondek LP12’s influence extends beyond just audio performance. It has become a cultural icon in the world of high-fidelity audio. Its status is akin to that of the finest Swiss watches or luxury automobiles—representing the pinnacle of craftsmanship and performance in its field. The LP12 has been a reference point for turntable design and has inspired countless other manufacturers. Moreover, the LP12 has fostered a loyal community of enthusiasts and collectors. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its design, performance, and the passion it inspires among its users. The turntable has also played a significant role in the vinyl revival, as its continued production and evolution symbolize the enduring appeal of analogue music in the digital age. Conclusion The Linn Sondek LP12 is much more than just a turntable; it is a statement of Linn’s dedication to high-fidelity sound and engineering excellence. Its combination of innovative design, upgradability, and superior sound quality has secured its place as a timeless classic in the world of audio. For those who value the artistry and craftsmanship of vinyl playback, the LP12 remains an unparalleled choice, offering an audio experience that is both deeply satisfying and profoundly musical.

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13 Jun
Linn Sondek LP12

Linn Sondek LP12 Upgrades – Summer Promotion 2024

Linn Sondek LP12 Upgrades – Summer Promotion 2024 Purchase any Linn Sondek LP12 component through the months of June, July, and August this year and you will receive a 30% discount off the second upgrade you choose to buy at the same time. Enhance different aspects of your LP12 with Linn’s meticulously crafted components, selecting from various models tailored to achieve your desired performance levels. While upgrades like tonearms and cartridges are popular choices, subtle components can also yield substantial gains in performance. Make an informed decision, and get in touch with Rococo Systems and speak to our Linn turntable specialist for personalised advice on your LP12 upgrade path; it’s time to treat yourself this summer. To maximise the saving we recommend purchasing two similar priced items as the 30% discount is applied to the lower cost item. This Linn Sondek LP12 Upgrades promotion will run until 31st August 2024, The Linn experts at Rococo Systems and Design can offer advice and support to help you find the best technology to complement your current system. You can call our offices on 01277 890 888 (Essex) or 020 7475 41234 (London), or contact us online.

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26 Apr
Linn-Krystal-Cartridges-Rococo-Systems

Enjoy Crystal-Clear Sound Quality with Linn Krystal Cartridges

Top-quality audio products take time to produce, as do the best pieces of music. So, it’s only natural that it took the world’s leading hi-fi and audio manufacturer, Linn, two years to develop its groundbreaking Krystal moving coil cartridge. Hear every musical detail with Linn Krystal Cartridges For more than thirty years, the Linn Sondek LP12 has been the turntable of choice of vinyl Audiophile fans. Here at Rococo Systems, we’ve been selling Linn’s hi-fi systems for almost as long, and the LP12 is still one of the most popular turntables among our customers in London and Essex. Thanks to our vast experience and knowledge of Linn products, we are able to upgrade, service or repair any LP12 turntable regardless of its age. And, as most turntable owners know very well, one of the simplest ways to give your system a new lease of life is to replace or upgrade its cartridge. When it comes to the quality of audio playback, your choice of cartridge is just as vital as the turntable, amp, and loudspeakers that you play your music through. Traditionally, cartridges fall into two different categories – Moving Coil (MC) and Moving Magnet (MM). Moving Coil is a more recent invention, but not all MC cartridges deliver superior sound quality. This is because cheap or inferior cartridges simply can’t compete with the power and design of the Linn Krystal cartridge. Rococo Systems sell a number of Linn’s MM and MC turntable cartridges, including Adikt, Kandid, and Klyde, and the Krystal has just been added to our range. Kandid versus Krystal Kandid is known as being one of the best-sounding turntable cartridges Linn’s ever made. So, it’s no surprise that Linn has taken the core design principles of the Kandid moving coil cartridge to create the Krystal MC. This means that just like the Kandid, Krystal captures every tiny change in the record groove, allowing you to hear every musical detail. Krystal’s nude design results in less inertia, allowing it to react more quickly to the changes in the record groove. It also boasts a triple-point mounting system that allows for a firm connection to the tonearm headshell, an aircraft-grade 7075 aluminium chassis to provide the generator with a stable yet lightweight platform, and is constructed using special adhesive that minimises any dampening effects. You can experience Krystal’s pure, clean, and perfect sound by purchasing it as part of an Akurate LP12 turntable or specifying it on your order when you buy a Majik or Sondek LP12 turntable. And, should you need any further convincing of how Krystal can transport your turntable to hi-fi heaven, we’d be more than happy to treat you to a free-of-charge demonstration in one of our purpose-built Linn lounges in our London or Essex store. Simply visit our Book a Demo page to make an appointment or give our experts a call on 020 7454 1234 (London) or 01277 890 888 (Essex) today. We also stock a vast range of Linn’s turntable accessories, including cartridges, sub chassis and base boards, tonearms, power supplies, drive belts, hinges, felt mats, and 45 RPM adapters, which you can buy online or in-store.    

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14 Dec
linn-sondek

Vinyl or Download – Which Linn Player Suits You?

When it comes to fashion, home décor, music, and even technology, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of retro. In fact, some of the greatest inventions of all time have helped to inspire the very products we rely on today. For example, if Alexander Graham Bell had failed to make his groundbreaking telephone call to Mr. Watson, would we ever have got to experience the joys of the latest Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy smart-phone? When it comes down to music and technology, we’re not suggesting you throw your Blu-rays in the bin in favour of Betamax or donate your MP3 player to the nearest charity shop in place of a 1980’s ghetto blaster. Instead, we’re asking you to consider the benefits of today’s different music formats and how each one can take on a whole new dimension when listened to on a Linn DS system or Linn turntable. The key question is vinyl or download? Which format do you prefer? Vinyl lovers – Linn LP12 Are you a traditionalist when it comes to music? Perhaps you believe that classic albums like The Beatles’ “Revolver”, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”, and Jim Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland” lose their rawness and authenticity in digital format? If so, we’re not going to argue as many people agree with you. In fact, this recent Sky News article states that record album sales are expected to hit a twenty-year high this year, with figures already up 55% on last year. The main problem with listening to vinyl is that your dusty and antiquated record player isn’t likely to showcase your LPs and EPs in their best possible light. Plus, if the needle’s prone to skipping every time someone walks past your record player or it scratches your precious records, it’s definitely time to upgrade to a superior product. This is where the Linn Majik LP12 turntable literally comes into play. It’s considered THE turntable to own, and it delivers a premium audio performance at an unbeatable price. It comes with a choice of five solid wood plinths (Walnut, Rosenut, Oak, Cherry, and Black Ash); so, you needn’t worry about it looking out of place when sat alongside your record collection. Team it with Majik 140 Loudspeakers, the Majik-I Integrated Amplifier, and the Majik Kontrol Pre-Amplifier, and you’ll be all set for the best vinyl experience of your life! Digital fans – Linn DS players Do you hate being confined to your home when you want to listen to your favourite music on full blast? Did you do a happy dance when the Discman was first released? Does the thought of Spotify going out of business fill you with dread? Then, fear not – you’re obviously a member of Team Digital – the majority of who believe digital is far superior to vinyl. If you want to develop your appreciation of music and discover as many new and upcoming bands as possible, digital is the way forward. Thanks to the likes of Groove Shark, Spotify, and iTunes, you can explore an incredible range of genres and artists, often free-of-charge. If you come across a band or style of music that you particularly like, you can get instant recommendations for similar artists and genres. Plus, your ever-growing collection will be searchable, instantaneous, and always crackle-free. Linn DS players, including Akurate, Klimax, Majik, and Sneaky, are undoubtedly THE best digital music players in the world. Simply connect your player of choice to your home network, and you’ll instantly be able to enjoy all your downloads and CDs in studio quality. Furthermore, your appreciation of internet radio will shoot off the charts. Discover the world of Linn with Rococo Systems At the end of the day, whether you prefer vinyl or digital is a matter of personal taste. Regardless of which format you prefer, Rococo Systems can help you find the ultimate Linn system or turntable for your needs. So, make sure you drop into our London or Essex store to talk to one of our Linn specialists, telephone us, or complete our online enquiry form – you’ll find all the details on our Contact page.

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Linn Sondek LP12 Service, Repairs & Upgrades @ Rococo Systems

The longest lived Hi-Fi product of all time is the Linn Sondek. The Linn Sondek LP12 is an investment which you will want to cherish and pass down to the next generation for them to enjoy. We have brought back to life more than 50 Linn LP12’s in the last year, although streaming is great fun and simplistic there is still nothing better than playing your Vinyl and sharing the memories you have with friends and fami…ly. Rococo offers many services to LP12 owners such as:- Full Service On/Off site Setting Up On/Off site We can supply new packaging and give advice on how to pack All repairs No deck is too old Give advice on upgrades Purchase of any LP12 accessories required If you are having any issues or would like to talk about upgrading your turntable please call us on 0207 454 1234 or 01277 890 888 Or email [email protected]  

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21 Mar

NEW to Rococo – Linn Kandid, the best cartridge Linn has ever made

40 years after the introduction of the Linn Sondek LP12, Linn are delighted to announce the arrival of the best sounding cartridge they have ever made – Linn Kandid. One of the key performance improvements comes as a result of removing the cartridge housing – probably also the most striking aesthetic difference Linn have made to Kandid. Stripping back the housing to expose the motor assembly has resulted in an even purer, cleaner sound than ever before. More accurate audio reproduction is achieved thanks to the repositioning of the stylus and cantilever within the body of the cartridge. The angle of the magnets and coil in the front pole piece has been off-set so that they are parallel when the record is playing which ensures perfect alignment for accurate movement on the record. Kandid is the perfect partner for the Linn Ekos SE tonearm. The chassis is machined from the same aircraft grade aluminium as the Linn Ekos SE headshell and features their 3-point mount for completely rigid and accurate coupling with the tonearm. Limited availability Linn’s production capacity for Linn Kandid cartridges is limited and as we anticipate very high demand for this product, the lead time for delivery could be up to 6 months, so it’s advisable to place orders as soon as possible. Tech spec: Cartridge type: Low output moving coil Stylus and cantilever: Slot mounted, 3um x 70um nude line contact diamond in boron cantilever Vertical tracking angle: 20 degrees Tracking force: 1.72g – 1.77g (1.75g preferred) Pin connection type: Flying wire with termination clips Recommended load: 70Ω ~ 1kΩ (determine optimum by listening) Separation at 1kHz: Better than 35 dB Channel balance at 1 kHz: +/- 0.5 dB Output at 1 kHz @3.45 cm/s: 0.4 mv Weight: 5.7 g (without stylus cover) This fantastic cartridge is limited so make sure you orders yours and fast! Available at Rococo here.

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18 Sep

Linn LP12 is Always in Fashion

  “Gucci is pleased to reveal the second installment in its “Forever Now” icons of heritage advertising campaign series conceived by Creative Director Frida Giannini in collaboration with Charlotte Casiraghi. The two new portraits celebrate the iconic metal horsebit featured on the classic Gucci Loafer – the hardware that has inspired a legacy, since it was first introduced into the House’s vocabulary nearly sixty years ago.” Note in the background the Linn Lp12 turntable, the perfect complement to the classic, 70’s style luxury exemplified by Gucci.

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Linn Turntables Explained

Introduced in 1972, the Sondek LP12 was Linn’s first product and helped demonstrate that the most important element in any quality music system is the source of the music itself. Launched at a time when amplifiers and loudspeakers were seen as being most critical to the performance of any system, the Sondek LP12 showed that extracting more information from the record itself was the most critical challenge. Quite simply, information lost at the source is lost forever. Since its introduction over 30 years ago the Sondek LP12 has been the turntable by which all others are judged and each component has been continuously improved to extract even more information from a vinyl record. At the heart of the Sondek LP12 is Linn’s patented, low-noise, single-point bearing. This advanced yet simple bearing design ensures the smooth motion of the turntable and eliminates noise to ensure that all you hear is the music. The high mass, perfectly balanced, belt-driven platter maintains speed stability, while the solid wood plinth, suspended sub-chassis and stable arm platform combine to provide freedom from vibration and acoustic feedback. The combination of these precision-engineered components creates a turntable with an unequalled ability to provide pitch accurate, faithful reproduction of your cherished vinyl collection. A partnering range of Linn tonearms and cartridges are available to ensure you get the maximum performance from your Sondek LP12. The Sondek LP12 is available in a choice of high-quality real wood finishes. Our standard finishes are Black Ash, American Cherry, Maple, Rosenut or Walnut and we also offer a custom service for those who want a truly bespoke finish.

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21 Jun

Caring For Your Records

Vinyl records are, by their nature, fragile and need a little help from time to time. We need to maintain them to keep them alive as long as possible and playing beautifully from start to finish. Cleaning Your Record The Milty vinyl cleaning range includes a specially formulated cleaning tape, a dry system that lifts dust and micro-particles from the record’s surface without damaging it. The range also includes incredibly soft cleaning pads and brushes for ongoing maintenance. Reducing Static Look at the way you store your records. The Exstatic Record Sleeves are designed to eliminate static from your vinyls, reducing interference during play. Milty also do specially designed anti-static preservative sprays, which extend the life of your beloved vinyls by reducing the natural friction between stylus and groove. Finally, the  Zerostat 3 incorporates a unique Piezo Crystal device which generates a positive electrical charge of Ions with on gentle squeeze of the trigger, and a negative charge on the material. Constructed from a durable hard plastic, it requires no batteries or refills and is a long lasting alternative to cleaning brushes.

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19 Jun

History of Record Players

The record player was an invention of the renowned Thomas Edison, in 1877. It could both record and reproduce sound, whereas previous devices, such as the phonautograph and the paleophone, had only been able to record. Alexander Graham Bell improved the design in the 1880s and in 1900 Emile Berliner developed the playable record, utilising disks rather than cylinders. Midway through the 19th century the record player became commercially available, enabled by Berliner’s invention of the Matrix Record, which could have multiple pressings made of the same recording. After WW2 the crank system was replaced by a rotating belt or motor drive. Although replaced by CD players and tape machines to an extent, many still love the turntable for it’s stylish, nostalgic quality. Classical musicians and modern bands like Radiohead release vinyl pressings and contemporary electronic music has an involved relationship with the medium. You can purchase new, glossy Linn turntables from online retailers.

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