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Re: Linn LP12 Set-Up Instructions

I have been a Linn LP12 setup tech since 1985 and I have NEVER had Linn or their reps suggest that the setup manual is proprietary or secret. I have also never had a customer ask me for a copy.

Most of the info in the manual is public knowledge anyway. (There is also a lot of misinformation out there too.) There are always people who want to work on their own equipment and those who would not under any circumstances. In my experience Linn is the only turntable company with formal setup manuals that they provided, and updated regularly, for their techs. They were certainly the only ones who sent people to dealers regularly to train the techs. There isn't any magic to the setup, but it does help to have:

(1) A setup jig, buy one or make one up yourself. Trying to setup an LP12 without one is an exercise in masochism and largely a waste of time. The hint that using cups at each corner is, pardon me, stupid. Make sure it is on a good level, stable and rigid surface. Can’t make it bounce well without this either. If you are going to tackle this job and expect to get good results, get the right tools or you only have yourself to blame for the outcome. Your dealer can order one for you and if he/she won't, I will.

(2) Experience, although the later, post 53k serial numbers, are much easier to setup and hold their setup well. The most common adjustment I have now is to tighten the various bolts that hold the tone arm in place and the headshell as well as other bolt tightening. These just loosen up over time and play. The springs are much less of a problem than they used to be thanks to the self-locking nuts.

There is a lot of information that is not in the setup manual, particularly the post Audiophile Systems version. I have a lot of notes in the margins of in my manual for all the stuff not covered that I have learned over time. Experience helps you know when to ask questions as much as anything else. I learn something EVERY time I set one up, occasionally something that changes the whole way I look at my setup procedure. I also NEVER set one up without the manual in front of me.

I am not trying to discourage you for doing this yourself, it is a hell of a lot of fun. Just make the investment in time, equipment and patience to do a good job. Otherwise the turntable gets blamed for the fact that the setup was not done correctly. Some are harder than others.

One item to watch is the bolts that the springs are hung on. These are used to suspend the subchassis must to be as perfectly vertical as possible. If they aren't you will never get decent bounce and you’ll get very frustrated trying. Linn sells a tool to do that. I'd tried checking and adjusting them without it and it is time consuming. At the minimum you will need a good torpedo level to accomplish this. This problem arises often when the turntable is shipped by a seller (other than the factory) to a buyer.

If you think that the necessary equipment is too expensive and don't want to have it laying around if you sell the table, keep ebay in mind. You won't have any problem finding someone to take them off your hands and they don't depreciate much.

The lp12 FAQ site Ken Lyon previously listed is a good place to get the tidbits not in the manual. Above all have fun, these tables are great to work with and there is a tremendous knowledge base available to you. Sorry for being so verbose.





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  • Re: Linn LP12 Set-Up Instructions - mspc 10/14/0012:50:03 10/14/00 (0)


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