Better Value now than 1974

My past is continually catching up with me, but fortunately and most often, in a good way.

A call from a long time connection

I had a client of my fathers contact me a few weeks back, he was downsizing and needed to move on some gear that he had not used in a very, very long time. It had all been packed away in boxes, some very well stored, some sadly not so well. It all needed to be evaluated as to what may be salvageable and what may sadly have to be recycled.

Uncovering a Hi-Fi treasure

Among the gear I collected from him was an original Linn Sondek LP-12 fitted with Grace G-707 Arm and a Fidelity Research FR1 Mk2 Moving Coil Cartridge. This was a package that was so often sold back in my days at both Leslie Leonard Hi-Fi and Alberts Hi-Fi. We sent the LP-12 off for the full treatment and it has just been totally refurbished by the Turntable Doctor and is awaiting the arrival of a brand new hinged Linn Acrylic cover and I have to say it really is looking a treat. It will certainly make someone’s day when they take it to a new home to be enjoyed by another generation.

Along with the Linn came some other classic gear as well:

• Accuphase E-202 Integrated Amplifier (Rated as one of the top 10 Integrated Amps of the pre 90’s)
• Accuphase T-100 AM/FM Tuner
• Nakamichi 682ZX Cassette Deck

All have had a total refurbishment and are ready for new homes. Looks like the Accuphase E-202 may be heading off to drive an original pair of Linn Isobarik DSM speakers from the 70’s.

Iconic speakers and some sad losses

Often nicknamed “Bariks” or “Briks” they really were an exceptional speaker of the era, designed on the Isobaric speaker design of Harry Olsen from the 1950’s. Sadly, some wonderful Sony gear from the 80’s AMP, CD and Tuner had suffered from poor storage and was donated for parts, but a pair of the classic Sony APM-66ES speakers with the unique Square Bass and Midrange Drivers had been stored in their original cartons and after a good clean up worked a treat. These did not last long finding a very keen new owner the same week.

A look back at the Linn LP-12 legacy

Looking over the original Linn LP-12 took me back to when it was first released in 1973 and how it set the Hi-Fi world alight at the time. We sold the LP-12 back then without tonearm for $498.00 and you could select either a Grace G-707 or an SME 3009 arm for another $99.00. So an LP-12 with Arm for $598.00 then throw on a decent Moving Coil cartridge for another $100-$200, so all up say $700.00-$800.00.

I began to think what amazing value that represented at the time, but wondered what that amount would now be if converted into today’s money with inflation. A quick Google search and finding “Inflation Tool”, I punched in $750 AUD 1973 to 2025 and what it gave me as a result was quite a surprise….$8858.00 You can buy from us today a brand new Linn Majik LP-12 (somewhat improved I might add) and yes, after 50 odd years, they still make this classic turntable, complete with a Linn Arm and a Linn Moving Coil Cartridge all for $7395.00. So it looks like the Linn LP-12 bargain is still alive and well.

Come in and hear it for yourself

Feel free to call in for an audition and you too can be one of those enthusiasts enjoying this Legend of the Hi-Fi World that is the Classic Linn LP-12 Turntable.

Oh and for those Linn owners out there that are wondering, the pictures were taken without the transit bearing supports removed so the arm board is not sitting quite right and platter is elevated.

Happy Listening
Cheers Dave