Linn Sondek LP12 Core Deck with Karousel Bearing - Requires Additional Components
Audio T Verdict
The Linn Sondek LP12 core deck provides the essential mechanical foundation for a custom-built LP12, combining a kiln-dried hardwood plinth with Linn's current Karousel bearing, steel top plate and matching inner and outer platters.
Its modular construction allows the power supply, sub-chassis, armboard, base, tonearm and cartridge to be selected separately, making it possible to create an LP12 around a particular system, budget and future upgrade path.
This is not a complete or playable turntable. Every LP12 must be assembled and precisely adjusted by an experienced Linn specialist, and Audio T can help specify, build and install the complete record player.
Linn Sondek LP12 Smooth Plinth Deck
The Linn Sondek LP12 is built around a modular architecture that allows its main mechanical, electrical and playback components to be selected separately.
This product forms the core deck and includes the smooth hardwood plinth, steel top plate, Karousel single-point bearing, inner platter and outer platter.
It is intended as the starting point for a custom LP12 build or as the replacement mechanical foundation for a carefully planned turntable project.
This Is Not a Complete Turntable
The product cannot play records in the supplied form. A compatible sub-chassis, armboard, base, power supply and motor system, tonearm and cartridge must be selected separately.
Contact Audio T before ordering so that the complete LP12 specification can be checked and agreed.
What Is Included?
Included with the Core Deck
- Smooth-faced kiln-dried hardwood LP12 plinth
- Current Linn Karousel single-point bearing
- Karousel inner platter and spindle
- High-mass outer platter
- Stainless-steel top plate
- Your selected standard wood finish
Not Included
- Sub-chassis and armboard
- Baseboard and feet
- Power supply, motor and motor control
- Tonearm
- Cartridge
- Phono stage
- Turntable lid and hinges
- Professional assembly and setup
Choice of Five Wood Finishes
The smooth LP12 plinth is handcrafted from kiln-dried hardwood and is available on this page in five standard finishes.
Black Ash
A dark and understated finish that suits both traditional and contemporary Hi-Fi systems.
Oak
A lighter natural finish that clearly displays the grain and character of the hardwood plinth.
Cherry
A warm-toned finish with a more traditional furniture-inspired appearance.
Rosenut
A deeper reddish-brown finish that gives the LP12 a rich and distinctive appearance.
Walnut
A natural medium-to-dark wood finish with visible variation in grain and tone.
Wood is a natural material, so variations in colour, grain and pattern should be expected between individual plinths.
Karousel Single-Point Bearing
Every current Sondek LP12 core deck is supplied with Linn's
Karousel bearing
fitted as standard.
The bearing supports the rotating mass of the inner and outer platters and establishes the central mechanical reference for the turntable.
Karousel uses a stainless-steel housing, substantial lock-nut fixing and low-friction thrust-pad arrangement to create a rigid connection between the bearing and the chosen LP12 sub-chassis.
Its precisely matched inner platter and spindle are supplied as part of the deck, ensuring the rotating components work correctly with the current bearing design.
High-Mass Belt-Driven Platter
The LP12 uses separate inner and outer platters driven by a belt from the selected motor system.
The high-mass outer platter is carefully balanced and provides rotational inertia once the turntable reaches the correct speed.
The platter system is mechanically isolated from the plinth through the LP12's suspended sub-chassis, which must be selected and fitted separately.
Steel Top Plate
The stainless-steel top plate is mounted to the upper surface of the hardwood plinth and supports the suspension and motor arrangement.
Its relationship with the plinth, bearing and sub-chassis is central to the LP12's suspended construction.
During assembly, the top plate, suspension fixings and sub-chassis must be installed and adjusted so the suspended parts of the turntable move freely without contacting the plinth or base.
Choose Your Sub-Chassis and Armboard
The core deck does not include the suspended structure that carries the bearing and tonearm.
A suitable sub-chassis and armboard must be chosen according to the required level of performance and the selected tonearm.
Linn options include the
Majik LP12 sub-chassis
,
Kore and the machined Keel designs.
Compatibility is particularly important because the armboard or integrated tonearm mounting must match the chosen arm.
Choose Your Base
The underside of the deck must be completed with a suitable LP12 baseboard and feet.
Audio T offers
Linn LP12 base options
including the fixed Solid Base and the suspended Trampolin.
The best choice depends on the wider LP12 specification, the supporting furniture and the intended upgrade level.
Choose Your Power Supply and Motor System
The core deck does not contain a motor, motor-control circuit or power supply.
Linn offers several solutions, ranging from the internally mounted Majik LP12 power supply to the more advanced Lingo and Radikal motor-control systems.
The selected power supply determines the motor arrangement, speed-control method and whether electronic switching between 33? and 45 rpm is available.
The power-supply and motor system must be installed as part of the professional LP12 build.
Choose Your Tonearm and Cartridge
No tonearm or cartridge is included.
The LP12 can be configured with current Linn tonearms and cartridges or, where technically appropriate, selected alternatives from other manufacturers.
The tonearm must be compatible with the selected sub-chassis and armboard, while the cartridge must suit the tonearm, phono stage and wider system.
Cartridge alignment, tracking force, bias and arm height must all be checked as part of the completed setup.
Custom Build or Complete LP12?
Custom LP12 Build
This core deck is suitable when you want to select each major LP12 component separately or already own suitable components that will form part of the new build.
Audio T can check compatibility and prepare a complete quotation for the required specification.
Complete Majik LP12
The
Linn Majik LP12
is a complete entry point into the current LP12 range, including a sub-chassis, base, power supply, tonearm and cartridge.
Future Upgradeability
A major advantage of the LP12 is that its principal components can be serviced, replaced or upgraded individually.
A turntable built around this core deck can begin with relatively straightforward components and later be upgraded with a different power supply, sub-chassis, base, tonearm, cartridge or phono stage.
The standard smooth plinth can also be replaced in the future with the
Linn Bedrok plinth upgrade
.
Audio T can help plan the initial build so that future changes remain practical and provide worthwhile improvements.
Professional LP12 Assembly by Audio T
The Linn Sondek LP12 is not supplied as a turntable for home assembly. Building it requires specialist tools, detailed product knowledge and careful adjustment of the suspension and tonearm.
Audio T staff are qualified to specify and build Linn LP12 turntables, including installation of the bearing, sub-chassis, motor, power supply, base, tonearm and cartridge.
The completed turntable will be checked for suspension movement, platter clearance, speed, cartridge alignment, tracking force, bias and arm-cable dressing.
Contact your local Audio T store
to discuss the complete specification and installation arrangements.
Key Features
- Core mechanical deck for a custom Linn Sondek LP12 build
- Smooth-faced kiln-dried hardwood plinth
- Available in Black Ash, Oak, Cherry, Rosenut and Walnut
- Current Linn Karousel single-point bearing
- Matched Karousel inner platter and spindle
- High-mass balanced outer platter
- Stainless-steel LP12 top plate
- Belt-driven platter system when completed
- Designed for Linn's suspended sub-chassis architecture
- Compatible with a wide choice of current LP12 components
- Modular and upgradeable construction
- Professional specification, assembly and setup required
Technical Information
- Product type: Linn Sondek LP12 core deck
- Plinth design: Smooth-faced hardwood
- Plinth material: Kiln-dried hardwood
- Available finishes: Black Ash, Oak, Cherry, Rosenut and Walnut
- Main bearing: Linn Karousel single-point bearing
- Top plate: Stainless steel
- Platters: Inner platter and high-mass outer platter included
- Drive type when completed: Belt drive
- Sub-chassis: Not included
- Armboard: Not included
- Baseboard: Not included
- Power supply and motor: Not included
- Tonearm: Not included
- Cartridge: Not included
- Installation: Professional Linn specialist assembly required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a complete Linn LP12 turntable?
No. It is the core deck and includes the plinth, top plate, Karousel bearing and inner and outer platters. Several additional components are required before it can play records.
Does it include a tonearm and cartridge?
No. The tonearm and cartridge must be selected separately.
Does it include a sub-chassis and armboard?
No. A compatible Majik, Kore, Keel or other suitable arrangement must be specified separately.
Does it include a motor and power supply?
No. The required Majik, Lingo or Radikal motor and power-supply solution must be selected separately.
Which bearing is included?
The deck includes Linn's current Karousel single-point bearing and matching inner platter.
Which finishes are available?
This page offers Black Ash, Oak, Cherry, Rosenut and Walnut smooth plinths.
Can I use components from an existing LP12?
Potentially, but every component must be inspected for condition and compatibility. Audio T can assess existing parts before planning the new build.
Can Audio T build the complete turntable?
Yes.
Contact your local Audio T store
for component selection, professional assembly, cartridge installation and complete LP12 setup.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Experienced Linn Sondek LP12 specialists
- Help designing a complete custom LP12 specification
- Compatibility checks for new and existing components
- Advice on power supplies, sub-chassis, bases and tonearms
- Professional LP12 assembly and suspension setup
- Cartridge fitting, alignment and tracking-force adjustment
- Demonstrations of Majik, Selekt, Klimax and custom LP12 systems
- Servicing and future upgrade support
- Part exchange available on suitable equipment
Contact your local Audio T store
to plan your Linn Sondek LP12 build and choose the correct finish and components.