Linn Index loudspeakers

The Linn Index is a two way loudspeaker system, utilizing an eight inch bass driver and a one inch soft dome tweeter in an accoustic suspension enclosure. Even though it is a "budget" priced loudspeaker, the Index is intended for use by the serious hi-fi enthusiast. It offers what we believe is the best value-for-money available in an inexpensive speaker, in terms of parts quality, construction, and perormance.

Almost all lower priced loudspeaker cabinets are constructed of 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch particle board, often of a lower density than that used in larger loudspeakers. The Linn Index uses full 3/4 inch, high dnsity particle board, which results in a much more rigid enclosure. Likewise, speaker connectors are usually mounted on a pressboard insert, set into a cutout on the back of the cabinet, which greatly compromises cabinet rigidity. The index connectors are flush mounted directly into the cabinet, eliminating this problem. The connectors themselves are individually machined 4 mm banana sockets, custom manufactured by Linn Products, instead of the typical press-on connectors or binding posts. These connectors provide a vastly superior electrical connection. Along these lines, the speaker is wired internally with 20 amp, 50 strand cable, which is the same cable used in Linn's more expensive loudspeakers, including the DMS and PMS.

Each Index is individually tested on Linn product;s Hewlett Packard computerized test system. 

 

Specifications

Frequency Response:  60 Hz to 20 ,000 Hz ±3 dB

Power Handling:  50 Watts

Efficiency:  87 dB/Watt at 1 m

Finish Cabinet: balck woodgrain veener

Dimensions:  17" x 11" x 8"

Weight:  18 lbs

Linn Axis turntable

For many years the Linn Sondek LP12 has set the standards by which all other turntables are judged.

Now Linn engineere built the new LinnAxis with the same precision as the Sondek,  but they've made it more afordable. In fac, for a lower price, we/ve given the Axis advanced features you won't find in any other turntable at any price.

Exceptional precision is provided by a pair of low distortion, class A amplifiers driving each of the motor phases. A "smart" controller senses the motor load and provides higher voltage during sterup and reduces the voltage (and noise) once the platter reaches speed.

Electronic switching turns the Axis on or off and provides a smooth transition from 33 to 45 rpm.

An ingenious self-aligning suspension system isolates the armand platter from the motor, base, and external disturbances.

"Of course, the Linn Sondek Lp12 remains the reference, but we know you won't be disappointed with our second best. We haven't cut corners on our legendary engineering, only on the price."

The Axis is a precision built, twin speed (33.3 rpm and 45 rpm) transcription turntable. It is

mounted in a black veneered medite plinth, with a dark grey top-board and equipped with a

moulded, hinged dustcover.

Motor Power Supply:

Linn-designed 2-speed electronic ‘Class A’ power supply incorporating a stall detect circuit.

This monitors the load on the motor from start-up and reduced the power supply to the motor

once the correct speed has been achieved. It will also increase the power to the motor as

required. When this happens the relevant LED on the switch will brighten to show increased

power, and dim once power is reduced. Easily changed (internally) from 110V to 240V and

will run on 50Hz or 60Hz without modification.

AXIS Specifications

Platter:  12” diameter (305mm) aluminium diecast and accurately machined on all matching and visible

surfaces. Weight approximately 1.5kg. The platter is supplied with a felt mat.

Bearing:  Single point system running in an oil bath. The thrust pad which must support the weight of

the platter on a single point is top grade steel, machined, hardened, ground and lapped to a mirror finish.

Motor:  24-pole precision synchronous low noise, high torque motor. Fully shielded and mechanically

isolated from the main bearing assembly by resilient mounting and a damped, uniquely designed suspension system.

Speeds:  33-1/3 rpm and 45 rpm.

Speed Accuracy:  0.1%

Suspension:  Three silicone, custom moulded rubber mounts, providing isolation for both the turntable/arm from the motor/plinth, and the feet from the plinth. Easily adjusted to keep record platform

level.

Drive:  Flat, precision ground neoprene rubber belt driven by a concentric drive pulley; concentricity

0.01mm.

Top-plate:  Heavy medite wood, laminated on both sides.

Power Consumption:  8 Watts

Dimensions (W x H x D):  445 x 140 x 349 mm (with lid open 400 mm high)

Weight (Shipping):  8 kg

Linn Majik-I

 The Linn Majik-I control amplifier uses microprocessor control, Linn's solid state input switching and volume control technology, and the latest surface mount manufacturing techniques to deliver unprecedented audio performance and ease of use.

The Majik-I accommodates six input sources, and provides outputs for two tape decks. 

Separate pre-amp output and power amp inputs provide exceptional flexibility, and offer the possibility of an economical upgrade to active susystems. Two sets of speaker sockets facilitate bi-wiring. Future options will include multi-room modules and a tuner which will simply plug into the internal expansion port.

Like any electronic product, the Majik-I will perform at its best when used with the highest quality source. The better the sound from your turntable, tuner or CD player, the better the sound you will hear from the other components in the system.

Specifications:

Preamplifier Section

Sensitivities for 0,7V RMS at line Output , 1 kHz into 2 k Ω load

Inputs Sensitivity/Load:

Phono MM :  3,1 mV /47 k Ω /68 pF

Tuner, CD, Aux, Tape :  300 mV / 10 k Ω

Outputs:

Tape (Equal to Aux input level, unity gain): 

Output Impedance:  100 Ω

Minimum Load :  5 k Ω

Line Output:

Output Impedance :  200 Ω

Minimum Load (on line outputs):  1 k Ω total

Headphone:

Output Impedance :  less than 8 Ω

Output Level :  Same as preamp output level

Output Current Limit :  60 mA

Load Impedance :  8 to 2000 Ω

Power Amplifier Section

Power Output:

66 W per channel into 4 Ω

33 W per channel into 8 Ω

Input Impedance:  10 k Ω

Voltage Gain:  28,5 dB

Input Sensitivity:  592 mV RMS for 16,2 V RMS output (33 W into 8 Ω)

General:

Power Consumption:  320 VA max.  25 Watts idling

Mains Supply Fuse:

100 V and 115 V :  T6, 3A antisurge

230 V :  T3, 15A antisurge

Main Supply Tolerance:  Nominal ± 10% with no performance change

Dimensions (W x H x d):  320 x 80 x 326mm

Weight:  4,9 kg

Linn Sondek LP12

 The Linn Sondek LP12 transcription turntable is designed and manufactured to extract as much information as possible from the modern long playing record. It is, quite simply, the link missing in so many play-back systems between your ear and the reocrded performance.

The design is elegant yet functional, relying on precision machining rather than complex electronics and gadgetry to provide the highest level of performance while maintaining the ultimate in reliability.

 If you can appreciate the differences between listening to a record on a good system and hearing something that approaches live music, then the logical place to start is with the Linn Sondek LP12.

A product of integrity which offers proven value and performance.

 The Linn Sondek LP12 is specifically designed and manufactured to obtein the best reproduction from the modern high fidelity long-playing record.

General Description

The Linn Sondek LP12 transcription turntable is designed for free-standing use with the finest specialist component high fidelity sound reproduction systems.

The unit is designed for a long operating life and should, if treated properly, last longer than any other part of your hi-fi system.

 We cannot emphasise strongly enough the importance of prospective customers receiving a fair demonstration before purchase. We suggest placing any transcription turntable beside the LP12. fit same with arms and cartridges, listen to both at the same volume setting through the same system and decide for yourself which sounds more like real music.

The unit is guaranteed under the conditions which apply in the country of purchase. In addition to any statutory rights the customer may have, we undertake to replace any parts which have failed due to fault manufacture.

 Type

Precision built single speed transcription turntable mounted in a solid kiln-dried hardwood low resonance plinth system with counter-balanced hinges and moulded perspex lid.

Bearing

The LP12 employs an exclusive single point bearing running in an oil bath (world patents pending). [The hardened and ground steel spindle runs on a mirror finished hardened, ground and lapped thrust pad.]

The spindle is hardened tool steel. The thrust plate, which must withstand a pressure of 2,5 tons per square inch, is top grade steel, machined, hardened, groun, and lapped to a mirror finish. The sides of a bearing housing are lined with a hard, very low friction plastic. Between this liner and spindle is a thin film of oil. The only surface to surface contact is at the single point where the spindle  rest on the thrust plate. Since this is also the center of rotation, the velocity at the point of contact is very low. A direct result of this low velocity is low friction, negligible wear, and extremely low rumble.

 Motor

24-pole precision synchronous low noise motor. Speed is 250/300 rpm, depending on mains frequency. The motor is fully electrically and mechanically screened and isolated from the main turntable assembly.

Speed Accuracy

The synchronous motor of the LP12 locks-on to the 60 Hz AC line frequency. Over a day's time, this line frequency, and the speed of the turntable, will typically change by less than ±0,04%.

While it might be possible to obtain greater "accuracy" by using a quartz-locked servo-controlled motor, it should be pointed out that our goal is to obtain the best possible audible performance, not to build a laboratory standard rotating platform. Speed consistancy is far more important than speed accuracy. Errors in accuracy of up to three percent often go unnoticed, while rapid changes in speed of only a few hundredths of a percent are audible. By definition, a servo-controlled motor maintains its speed accuracy by constantly changing and correcting its speed.

 Drive

The platter is driven via a flat precision ground chloroprene rubber belt by a 24-pole, low noise, synchronous motor. The 24-pole design of the motor allows it to run at a relatively slow speed (300 rpm vs. 1800 rpm for a four-pole motor). The combination of the slow speed and the individually tuned motor assembly reduces rumble to a minimum. The beltdrive acts as a filter to prevent any residual motor noise from reaching the platter.  Flutter is minimized by the use of a machined metal drive pulley (concentricity 0,0004") in place of the usual cast metal or molded plastic variety.

The pulley is machined from the same material as the platter. Thus, all parts within the loop of the drive belt have the same coefficient of expansion insuring that the speed will be constant over  a wide range of operating temperatures.

 A flat precision-ground chloroprene rubber belt driven by a drive pulley mounted on the motor. Due to the materials selected, the rotating elements within the drive belt loop are such that the ratio is temperature stable. This means that a constant speed will be maintained over a wide range of operating temperatures.

Suspension

The platter and arm board are fixed to a floating sub-chassis suspended by resilient mountings in the double-damped triple point suspension.

Chassis

The main chassis is heavy gauge non-magnetic brushed satin finished stainless steel. The sub-chassis is formed from mild steel pressing welded for maximum rigidity and stove enamelled to give corrosion protection.

 Base Plate

The base plate is constructed of heavy gauge, satin finish stainless steel. The motor of the LP12 is attached directly to this non-magnetic plate. Besides providing additional hum shielding, this plate acts as a mechanical energy sink. Motor vibrations, that would have been transmitted along the belt into the system, are instead converted into harmless mechanical noise that ia dissipated over the entire surface of the stainless steel plate.

Subchassis

The platter/bearing assembly and the arm board are mounted on a rigid steel subchassis. It is isolated from the base plate, motor, and external vibrations by a fully adjustable three-point spring suspension.

Arm Board

The arm mounting board is constructed of a center ply layer sandwiched between two layers of hard board.

Base

In contrast to the typical flake board base construction, the LP12 base is crafted from solid kiln-dried hardwood. Hardwoods are chosen for their ideal resonance characteristics and stability. Provision has been made for proper arm cable dressing to control vibrations that may travel up the arm cable, by-passing the suspension.

Plater

305 mm (12") diameter non-magnetic zinc aluminium alloy die casting machined throughout with optimum peripheral mass distribution. Total weight is approximately 4,5 kg (10 lb).  A choice of mat is available: a felt type suitable for tag cueing, or a radial-ribbed thermo-plastic moulded mat for standard use.

 Rumble

Rumble is -60 dB unweighted, with reference to a 10cm/sec 1000 Hz signal. The weighted rumble measurements used by most manufactures are virtually useless in evaluating the performance of a turntable. Weighting systems effectively ignore rumble at very low frequencies. This subsonic rumble may not be as audible as rumble occuring at 200 Hz, but its side effects can be quite audible and even more serious than a little low frequency noise. Sunsonic rumble may excite arm/cartridge resonance and cause mistracking. The amplifier, trying to reproduce this rumble, wastes a great deal of power. The speaker cone is forced to move beyond its linear operating limits. The end result is increased IM Distortion. We contend that, if you must use a rumble measurement, it should be unweighted and the velocity and frequency of the reference signal should be specified. Anything less can, and often does, cover up poor performance.

 Wow and Flutter

The LP12's wow and flutter is less than 0,04% (typically, wow is less than 0,03% and flutter is less than 0,015%)

 Dimensions

445 x 355 x 140mm (17½ x 14 x 5½ in)

Approximately 7 cm (2 ½") clearance is required at the rear of the unit and approx. 25 cm (10") above the unit to permit convenient opening of the lid.

Specifications

Type:  single speed transcription turntable

Speed:  33 ⅓ rpm

Motor:  24-pole precision synchronous low noise motor

Drive:  belt-drive

Plater Type:  Non-magnetic zinc-aluminium alloy die-cast

Platter Diameter/Mass:  305 mm (12")/4,5 kg (10 lb)

Rumble:  -60 dB (unweighted)

Wow and Flutter:  less than 0,04%

Power Requirement:  220-250 V or 110-125 V, 50-60 Hz

Power Consumption:  3,3 VA

Dimensions (W x H x D):  445 x 140 x 355 mm (17½ " x 5½" x 14")

Weight:  10 kg (22 lbs)

Linn Ittok LV-II

 The Linn Ittok LV-II arm has been designed to compliment the Linn LP12 turntable. The design philosophies first implimented in the turntable; i.e., providing a means of maintaining a fixed relationship between the cartridge body and the surface of the record, have been extended to the design of the LV-II. Through the use of sensible construction techniques and very precise bearings, the Linn arm provides a very rigid connecting link between the cartridge body and the turntable.

 The Linn Itokk LV-II was designed with several performance features in mind.  First, stability. It is a coherent mechanical system designed to maintain a precise relationship between the cartridge and turntable. This is due in part to a bearing system that minimises intermittent or continuous loss of dynamic accuracy.  Second, simplicity. Dials for both tracking weight and bias force enable easy and highly accurate adjustment, making the Ittok simple to install and convenient to use.

The Ittok is particularly suitable for use with the Linn Asak DC-2100K moving-coil cartridge and enables the full performance potential of this cartridge to be realised.

The Ittok is designed not to degrade with use or require continuous adjustment. In addition it is engineered to cope with the most difficult cartridges now available and to anticipate future cartridge development.

Although designed with the Linn Sondek LP12 turntable in mind, the Ittok is suitable for use with most high quality turntables.  

 Headshell

The headshell is constructed of light weight magnesium alloy. In order to obtain the most rigid connection possible between the headshell and the arm tube, the headshell is permanently fixed to the arm tube. As you can appreciate, any method of attaching the headshell that would still allow it to be rotated would necessitate a weakening of this connection.  We do realize that this doeas limit the amount of "fine tuning" of the vertical tracking angle that you can accomplish; i.e., as you raise or lower the rear of the arm, the headshell, as viewed from the front, will no longer be parallel to the record. It is possible tp make very small changes in VTA and, in most cases, the adjustment range should be satisfactory. The relatively small gains that can be obtained by making larger adjustments to the vertical tracking angle are insignificant when compared to the degradation of the signal that would occur if the tortional rigidity of the arm was compromised. It should also be noted that the optimum VTA varies from record to record, so any VTA setting will have to be , at best , a compromise.

 Arm Tube

The arm tube is constructed of large diameter, thinwall, magnesium tubing. It should be noted that while a small diameter tube is often used to give the appearance of low mass, a large diameter tube with thin walls aill actually require less mass for the same degree of rigidity.

Bearings

The bearings , bearing housings, arm pillar, and all related parts are constructed of high grade stainless steel. Being of identical materials, all have the same coefficient of expansion. Thus, the arm is temperature stable; i.e., changes in room temperature effect all parts equally. The finely adjusted bearings will maintain proper tolerances over a very wide range of operating temperatures.

 Counterweight

The counterweight consists of two pieces, the main weight and a smaller ring that is attached with two hex key set screws. The ring should be used if a heavy cartridge is to be mounted in the arm. Lighter cartridges require only the main part of the weight. The mass of the weight was specifically chosen to allow the counterweight (with ring) to be positioned as close to the pivot point as possible when the arm is fitted with the Linn Asak Moving-Coil Cartridge.

The counterweight is used only to balance the arm, never to apply tracking force. Because of this, the arm is always dynamically balanced and any disturbances that reach the arm will tend to affect both the rear portion of the arm and the front portion of arm equally thus minimizing their effect.

 Tracking Force and Anti-Skate

To prevent disturbing the dynamic balance of the arm, tracking force and anti-skating compensation are applied by springs which are controlled by two calibrated adjustment knobs. Tracking force may be applied over the range 0 to 3 grams.

Height Adjustment

The height locking screw consist of two basic parts. The first is a steel shaft that will, when fully tightened, rigidly lock the arm in place. This rigid connection can be accomplished with only one locking screw because of the unique half moon notch cut out of the arm base. When the locking screw is tightened, you are in effect rigidly attaching the arm pillar to the base at three points, the locking screw, and each end of the notch.

The second part of the height locking screw consists of a spring loaded nylon washer. When the height locking screw is only slightly tightened, the washer aill hold the arm in position while still allowing you to adjust the arm height. This greatly simplifies the height adjustment procedure.

Specifications

Overal Length:  284 mm

Effective Length:  229 mm

Overhang:  18 mm

Tone-arm rear length:  50 mm

Friction:  less than 20 mg.

Effective Mass:  11,5 g

Cartridge Weight Range:

With Main Weight only :  2 - 10 g

With Main Weight plus Sub Weight :  5,5 - 15 g

Stylus Pressure Range:  0 -3 g in 0,1 g steps

Linn Asak MC

The Linn Asak Moving Coil Cartridge

Extending the philosophy of the turntable and arm to the design of the cartridge, it is obvious that the stylus, cantilever, and coils ahould be allowed to move freely in response to the information in the groove of the record. The rest of the cartridge should remain in a fixed position centered over the groove. This seemingly simple task is complicated by the fact that very high levels of energy are generated at the stylus tip. That energy travels up the cantilever and into the cartridge. The only way to prevent that energy from moving the cartridge body and the magnet assembly is to make the mass of the body and magnet very, very large. The most practical way to accomplish this is to use the mass of the arm and even the mass of the turntable. This is done by coupling the cartridge body very firmly to the arm.

The most significant differences between the Linn Asak and other moving-coil cartridges concern Linn's  efforts in designing a body that is rigid enough and strong enough to accomplish the task of coupling the cartridge to the arm. In order to provide  the strength necessary, the body is considerably wider than most. The unique recessed cartridge mounting holes allow the mounting screws slipping away from the body and / or the screwdriver accidentally slipping off the screws and damaging the stylus. In addition, to prevent any movement of the magnet assembly, great care has been taken to couple it very firmly to the body.

Arm Selection

If an arm other than the LV-II is to be used with the Asak, care should be taken to insure that it has a very rigid bearing assembly (knife edge or unipivots are generally not suitable), and that the headshell is wide enough to accept the 20 mm wide body of the cartridge.

Specifications

Frequency Response:  10 Hz - 50 kHz ±3 dB

Output Voltage:  0,2 mV

Balance:  ±0,5 dB

Separation:  27 dB

Impedance;  3,5 Ω

Compliance:  12 x 10¯⁶ dyne/cm

Tracking Angle:  20

Tracking Force:  1,8 to 2,2 grams

Stylus Type:  o,2 x 0,8 mil elliptical diamond

Weight:  6 grams