9/25/2019 Linn Ekos 2 Serial Number
Despite the fact that I have owned a couple of 'ordinary' LP12's in the past, I consider myself an ignoramus regarding arms and psu's so here are the questions. What is the difference, cosmetically and sonically, between the various Ekos arms (1,2,3)? Values seem to vary massively.
The Lingo, was one of my favourite upgrades for the LP12, and a LP12, Lingo, Akito, would easily outperform, a LP12, Valhalla, Ekos. 1980 bought a significant upgrade to the Ittok, with the thicker arm pillar, and the bearing shaft material was changed in 1983, around serial number, 12,000.
I am thinking of buying another LP12 for a second system and it also has a Mantcore external psu. Never seen one before, only Manticore t/t's, so it is a good one and does it add value? The LP12 I am being offered is circa 83,000 s/no and has an Ekos (type to be determined), K9 and Manticore. What would you expect to pay for this as LP12 prices baffle me.
It's in great condition. The Manticore power supplies are well regarded, probably better than the Hercules and Heed Orbit power supplies. Manticore made a few different power supplies with the MB6 being the top one (challenger to a mk 1 Linn Lingo I believe). I remember bidding (didn't win) on a Manticore MB5 power supply on a certain online auction site about 4 years ago. The price it went for was over £200.
The serial no. Of the LP12 in question means it has the cirkus bearing. So the deck itself will be 'worth' at least £600, maybe much more. I don't own anything Linn but I'd guess that the Ekos 1 arm probably would sell for well over £500. Have a look on the Naim and Linn forums. If it has been kept in dry storage for several years leave it in, e.g.
Your living room, for a few days to rise to room temperature before switching on. And of course get it serviced by a Linn dealer e.g. Peter at Cymbiosis in Leicester. Click to expand.I think it was £380 (am not at home and bought quite a few items recently so cant say for definate) through linn dealer. I know I could've got it fixed cheaper elsewhere but it was stripped and rebuilt by the same employees who build the Ekos SE, with genuine Linn parts, and it is also recorded as having been rebuilt by linn who will give you the service history if requested. I was told it is now very nearly up to Ekos 2 standard, I can't compare them however it does sound fantastic.
LP12 owners: Is it about time you had your turntable serviced? LP12's require some servicing every 3-5 years. Doing so ensures that you get the best sound quality as well as ensuring that long term damage is prevented. New springs, grommets and bolts will tighten-up the sound as well as ensuring the turntable stays set up longer. At the same time the bearing oil can be replaced and we can provide a status report on things like the belt and the stylus. The last thing you want is a damaged stylus ruining your precious vinyl. The good news is that a full service including all the new upgraded bits will only cost you £80.00 plus parts It is also recommended that if you have a Valhalla or Lingo 1 power supply fitted that these are overhauled every 10 years.
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As these are now no longer available it is definitely wise to have them checked out. We can also check and carry out upgrades and factory modifications to this board if required. A service and re-build will also cure around 90% of faulty items The prices for a full service, re-cap and alignment are Linn Valhalla £65.00 including insured return postage within the UK Linn Lingo mk 1 and 2 £85.00 shipping if required costs £16.00 each way with full insurance in the UK Non UK shipping also available at cost price.
We now have stock of the Lingo 1 mains inlet without the filter. This will cure the problem of interference and sound degradation when used with Naim equipment This can be fitted as part of a service A couple of threads on the Linn forum regarding Lingo servicing IMPORTANT If sending any item to us then please ensure the packaging is sufficient or the courier will not be responsible for any damage caused.
Any item received that is poorly packaged will incur extra cost for return shipping. The following quotes are from genuine customers 'The improvement of the LP12 since before the Lingo service is actually big and fundamental. This is truly the front end first philosophy being proven.
The music is now bigger, more dynamic, clearer layering to the mix, lower noise floor, etc. I still don’t know how it’s done, and in a way that ignorance is magical bliss. What I do know is that Darran has restored full mojo to my LP12 for a very modest sum.I defy anybody who owns a Lingo mk1, and has never had it serviced, not to be totally blown away with what a service from Class A can do.
I still can’t get my head around it, but I don’t care!' 'You did a full cap service on my lingo a week ago, and wow what a difference it's made. I am listening to my LP12 now and it sounds fantastic. I hadn't realised how the old caps must have gone off, but since you serviced it, there s much more life in the sound, it really has made a tremendous difference. Many thanks for a great job and great service' Of course we can also take the opportunity to advise you of potential upgrades for your turntable or merely ensure that you get it back sounding as good as when you first bought it. Although now no longer available from Linn we occasionally have used Valhalla power supplies in stock, this represents a huge upgrade if you have a basic power supply fitted. Call us now for prices and details.
Call 01 to book in your turntable. We can even offer a same day service if you arrange this in advance. We also service Rega, Dual and Technics 1210 turntables. We can also supply drive belts, styli, cartridges and many other parts for most turntables, at very good prices. Please call or e-mail us with your requirements. See contact us page for details. Linn Lingo MK1 power supply Basic Power Supply V alhalla Power Supply.
New, improved metal TRAMPOLIN base board A new base board which uses aluminium in place of melamine (as used in the original TRAMPOLIN) for increased rigidity. The material is acoustically deadened to provide even better audio performance. Features Metal base board makes the TRAMPOLIN base more rigid and acoustically deadened. Advantages Deadening will reduce vibration and therefore will not be affected as much by interference from the surrounding environment. Benefits Improved audio performance. Cost is £170.00 Please Note T his may not be suitable if you have an early non braced plinth and use a Valhalla power supply. Please ask for details.
T Kable Silver arm lead The new T.Kable from Linn is an analogue armlead for use with the Ekos, Akito and Ittok tonearms. The T.Kable is made to the same high standards as the current Linn Silver Interconnect cables but has been modified physically by careful design of the insulation and outer sheathing to ensure that when fitted to the LP12 turntable the suspension operates in the correct manner.
This cable offers a significant upgrade over the standard cable supplied. Cost is £320.00 for 1.1m or £380.00 for 1.7m. Cirkus Bearing Kit The LP12 has had many upgrades through the years. The major ones were given exotic names, like Nirvana, Valhalla, Lingo, Trampolin reflecting the advances in accurate sound reproduction which they represented.
There have also been many unnamed improvements like new feet, new baseboard, new armboard, new suspension springs and grommets and new plinth. The list is long and it means that an LP12 need never be out of date. The Cirkus upgrade to the LP12 focuses on bearing performance and the connection of the bearing housing to the sub-chassis. The improved bearing and stronger sub-chassis arrangement provides the turntable with greater stability and ensures the bearing sits perfectly true to the chassis of the turntable. This in turn minimises the risk of turntable platter movement with respect to the sub-chassis and arm.
Even the slightest movement will introduce audible degradation to the reproduced signal. Together the changes to the bearing and the sub-chassis make an enormous difference to the overall performance of the turntable. The specific changes are as follows: 1. The thickness of the bearing housing mounting flange has been substantially increased and undercuts eliminated to make it many times more rigid.
This also allows the use of larger mounting bolts. Increased distance between top and bottom liners in the bearing housing to make it as stable as possible eliminating even the smallest amount of rocking 3. An increase in the height of the bearing housing from the top of its inner liner to increase oil capacity, ensuring proper lubrication of the top bearing at all times. The new Majik sub-chassis to improve rigidity, reducing flexing and improving control of the relationship between key components The attached kit of parts, which includes a new inner platter and spindle, is supplied to fit this upgrade. As always with Linn product improvements, new LP12 turntables will incorporate this upgrade as standard. The full kit also includes; A new arm board, springs and grommets, bearing oil and a new drive belt.
We can offer a same day fitting service if arranged in advance. Bearing Oil I get asked quite often which is the correct bearing oil to use in an LP-12, below is a table showing all bearing and housing combinations used by Linn. Unless otherwise stated always use Linn black oil. Bearing Housing Bearing Liner Colour Colour 1.
Silver Black 2. Silver White 3. Gold White. 4. Black White (1984) 5. Black Black (1987) serial no.(Approx.) -70,000 6. Black Black: CIRKUS kit serial number 90582.
Use this bearing housing with a light mineral machine oil. Black Oil can cause it to seize.
Upgrade Year Serial Number (approx) 25 year Anniversary of LP12! Silver badge on back and special piano laquer available 1997 95000 Cirkus LP12 Cirkus bearing and subchassis upgrade fitted as standard.
April 93 90582 Top Plate with Stud Fitted with additional stud which improves the coupling of the top plate to the Plinth and secures the motor corner. Mar 1992 88950 LP12 Mechanics Only LP12 sold as a mechanical assembly only. Three power supply options available: Lingo, Valhalla and Basik. Valhalla and Basik (Basik PSU supplied with 45 rpm adaptor). 1991 87600 Trampolin Kit.
Suspended base board available as an upgrade 1991 N/A Solid Base Board Replacing hardboard base 1991 87672 Motor Thrust Pad Small cap factory fitted (glued in position) to reduce noise 1991 87047 (Val) 87206 (Lingo) Lingo Direct coupled power supply for the LP12. Offers low noise oscillators, precision filtering, separate drive for both phases and electrical isolation from mains supply. 1990 N/A Grommets Composition changed to a new harder, denser rubber. Improves performance of suspension. 1989 81000 Motor Thrust Pad Replaced with stainless steel ball bearing. Reduces motor noise. 1989 79700 Armboard Material changed to MDF core, laminated top and underside.
Increases rigidity of armboard, creating improved platform for tonearm. 1987 79160 Bearing Housing Improved bearing liner material and thrust pad specification.
Bearing liner machined to tighter tolerances, thus creating better speed stability. Changed to black oil. 1987 70000 Suspension Springs Manufactured to tighter tolerance; ground top and bottom. (changed from zinc to black) Further tightening of manufacturing tolerance. Tightened grinding tolerance. 1981 1986 1988 70000 Sub-chassis Added strengthening bar, spot welded in place. Increases rigidity and strength.
Late '70s Attached strengthening bar with epoxy glue. Superior bond; increases rigidity.
1984 54100 Plinth Enlarged corner blocks. Strengthens and increases rigidity of plinth. 1984 53000 Valhalla Power Supply Electronic speed control with a sophisticated crystal controlled power supply. Isolates the rotation of the turntable motor from variations in the electrical supply. 1982 38800 Nirvana Kit Improved material specification of many integral mechanical components.
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Improved suspension and stability. 1981 32800 Lid and hinges Lid prop removed and hinges changed to spring loaded, self supporting. 1979 27000 Top-plate Added two holes for 6 x 0.5 self tappers into wood block. 1978 23000 Main Bearing Liner material changed.
1974 2000 Sub-Chassis Strengthened by addition of strap, spot welded in place. 1974 2000 Motor Control Motor control pcb changed from terminal strip to small circuit board. 1974 2000 Mains Switch Changed from two buttons to single switch with mains neon.
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