LP12 advice/price

If the example you've been offered is really as little used as claimed, it would seem like a pretty good buy. Two LP12s with LVX tonearms recently reached £460/510 on E-Bay and the Ittok is reckoned to be a far better arm than the LVX. As a guide, a s/hand Ittok would probably cost upwards of £250 if you can find one!

These two both had the Linn K9 entry level m/m cartridge. If the one you're contemplating has a better cartridge, that might make the deal more tempting, but generally the advice is don't put any value on the cartridge as its virtually impossible to be sure of what you're getting.

You could suggest buying the LP12 'on approval' whilst you get it checked out by a competent dealer. I bought an Ittok arm this way and the seller was happy to oblige.

In your case the only negative I can see is the lack of a box. It's tricky to transport the LP12 safely without the packaging and lack of a box usually reduces the value by a small amount. Good luck with it anyway!

David

This would be an Asak. Sold for over 200 squid back in its time. If it really has had minimal use, it would be worth at LEAST 75 notes, maybe more considering it is a bit of a classic. The sample I had was somewhat coloured, but very powerful on the LF end. I seem to remember the LP12/Ittok/Asak retailing for 770 back in the early 80s, so 650 may be a little overpriced.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

Hi Stuart:

I can't help you with any guidance on the prices (I'm in the U.S.) but if the Asak cartridge is 15 years old, it's almost worthless. The rubbery suspension parts will almost certainly have rotted by now. You can get it rebuilt by the Expert Stylus Co., for instance but it's probably not worth it. A modern cartridge by Dynavector, Linn, Ortofon etc. would likely be better.

Also, to get an idea of what Linn sanctioned upgrades are available for the LP12, go to Tony Lonorgan's 'Pink Fish Media' site and download the LP12 set-up manual which lists all changes over time.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn¨

Thanks for the advice guys, this is proving helpful. Intend on going to see the decck this evening and will try to negotiate a discount.

I have just got back from a visit to listen to the LP12. It was in a valve based system with a one-off pre and a pair of trichord? monoblocks and some Cubasse floorstander speakers. Equipment was on boards around the floor with cone supports under. LP12 was on top of some other beast of a t/t which was on a custom oak stand. None really ideal.

The LP12 is Serial no. 032677 and is fitted with an Ittock LVII arm (silver). Cartridge is the Assak as already pointed out. Now to the listening:

It was difficult to judge the t/t in light of the valve system being used. The speakers sounded very boxy to me and there was little in the way of bass and treble sounded flat compared to my Naim system. Overall it wasn't very dynamic but rather laid back. I think this maybe the trait of the valve amplification. Interestingly the seller kept on applying hand cream to the record label which improved the treble and dynamics.

There was a noticeable hum through the speakers and the seller advised this was down to the t/t earthing and is easily solved. How much clicking and popping should there be as it was quite noticeable on some records (this maybe the quality of the records)?

LP12 has a few marks underneath the mat on the platter but this apart it is in good condition. Finish is teak (I think this is known as Aframosia or something). Lid is a bit dull but should polish up. Unfortunately no box but seller says he will package up well and a small plastic bag and elastic band will sufice for the bearing cover?

I have tried to haggle the price down and have managed to get down to £550-575 without the SME interconnect cable. It's been fitted with a special SME connector to the underside for this SME lead. What is the usual lead and connector for Naim amplification? Is this lead worth having or would it be best to get a new lead and retrofit. Seller informs me this SME lead made a big difference. BNC connectors will obviously be needed.

Seller is not keen on dealer checking out and wants me the buyer to take the risk - something I'm not too keen on. He is of the opinion that it sounds alright but I think it needs a service/retune. Any idea on how much this would cost would be helpful.

Comment / advice appreciated. Buy or leave? Mmmmm.....

Stuart

Stuart, I am by no means an expert but you seem unsure.

One thing I have always trusted is my instincts on second hand buying.

£650 is too much for what is essentially the basic deck.

The seller is weird.

wait for the next one to come along, because before you know it you will be spending a lot of money on that deck after purchase, a new felt mat for one

The last thing you want is to feel you bought a dog, this sounds just like that.

Hi,

Keep a watch on eBay. LP12's show up in almost a weekly basis and sometimes there are really good deals.

Victor V. Diaz-Diaz

quote:

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I have tried to haggle the price down and have managed to get down to £550-575 without the SME interconnect cable. It's been fitted with a special SME connector to the underside for this SME lead. What is the usual lead and connector for Naim amplification? Is this lead worth having or would it be best to get a new lead and retrofit. Seller informs me this SME lead made a big difference. BNC connectors will obviously be needed.

---

I’d walk away from this deck. Sounds like it’s a little tatty, and I personally wouldn’t want a SME lead anywhere near a Linn deck. I compared a standard Ittok arm lead to a SME lead (MkV I think) at one point on a Zeta arm, and massively preferred the Linn lead – the SME one killed the groove. I believe SME have changed their lead design several times over the years, so god knows whether the one you heard was the same.

Second hand LP12s seem to be quite scarce at the moment, and prices seem to be correspondingly high. The days of a nice LP12 / Ittok for 350 quid are certainly gone, at least for the moment. I’m actually after at least one more LP12 at the moment – I want to buy a whole one to get myself a cheap Aro off (then flog the rest), and I’m also looking for another one for a friend, though he may get the Aro deck fitted with my Ittok if it turns up fast enough… (I'm looking for a new style Nait 2 for him as well!).

I think the private sale price is now typically £550 for a nice boxed one with a Ittok and about 100 quid more if its been Cirkus’d, probably a little more if its got a fancy plinth finish such as rosewood. The box is essential if you plan to ship it anywhere, and I believe costs 100-ish to buy a new one from Linn. Definitely haggle downwards if no box. Personally I never consider a second hand cartridge to have any value at all unless you know its owner, definitely nothing over its part-ex value, and that’s only worth having if you want to part-ex / rebuild it. I certainly wouldn’t give anything for an Asak, it has to be shot by now, and its not worth rebuilding.

Tony.

I suggest having a look at Hi-Fi+ numbers 17 for their article about s/h Sondeks. My LP12 is probably about 15 years old and working fine but I'm quite happy to adjust the springs etc myself. You could check the arm bearings on the Ittok and bounce the platter to see if it oscilates nicely up and down. Check that the arm board is level and most importantly check the bearing for play and see if it has oil and is not dry. S/H Sondeks are great bargains but maybe a new Rega P25 may fit the bill.

IMO it doesn't sound tatty for a 20 or more year old. It does seem expensive, unless it has a documented history of updates, which doesn't seem to be the case.

The question is, where do you want to end up?

I had no problem paying £1300 odd for a new LP12/Ekos in 1988. It's still doing its job. These turntables are long term investments. I may still have the invoice...

Paul