Turntables — Linn Majik LP12

The Majik LP12 is the entry configuration of the Linn Sondek LP12 belt-drive turntable, presented by the company as the future-proof first step into the LP12 ecosystem and priced from USD 5,440. The Sondek LP12 itself first appeared in 1973, and across more than five decades Linn has released over fifty retrofittable mechanical and electrical upgrades to the original design, a modular architecture that lets owners build the deck to their own specification. There are three pre-configured versions, with the Majik positioned as the most affordable of them, above which sit the Selekt LP12 and the Klimax LP12.

Key specs that matter

The package is based on the Sondek LP12 with a Karousel single-point bearing, a Majik aluminium sub-chassis with a laminated armboard and an internal Majik LP12 power supply. The fitted tonearm is the Krane, and the buyer chooses between the Adikt moving magnet cartridge and the Koil moving coil cartridge. A 110 V synchronous AC motor runs at a single speed of 33 1/3 rpm, and 45 rpm is reached with the included adaptor. The deck measures 445 mm wide, 140 mm high and 356 mm deep.

Engineering and use context

The Majik sub-chassis uses a sandwich construction in aluminium, and the Karousel bearing is patented. The Krane is a static-balanced arm made from aluminium and stainless steel, with a low-friction bearing design and low rotational mass. The power supply is low-noise and mounted inside the plinth rather than in a separate box. A Solid Base aluminium board forms a fixed, rigid platform underneath the deck. The standard plinth is kiln-dried hardwood in smooth or fluted form, with wood choices of walnut, rosenut, black ash, cherry and oak. Special finishes cover high-gloss wood, Piano Black, Alpine White and any RAL colour in high-gloss, satin or metallic. Since the LP12 is modular, each fitted part can later be replaced by a higher-grade upgrade, and the Bedrok base is one option in that list.

Pairing

Choosing the Adikt means connecting to a moving magnet phono stage, while the Koil moving coil cartridge calls for a stage with a moving coil setting.

Alternatives

The Linn Selekt LP12 is the higher-performance pre-configured version of the same turntable, priced from USD 16,912.