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Linn LP12 Motor wobble - can this be saved?

hirscwi

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I have a Linn Sondek LP12 from 1982. I have just noticed that there is a wobble in the drive pulley, so I guess the motor shaft is bent. I don't know how long this has been like this. Is there a replacement motor? I assume the shaft cannot be straightened? Thanks to all the Linn experts for their assistance.
 
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Sadly, a bent shaft always happen when one lift the platter in a sideways motion. Some table have a motor guard to prevent these mishaps like, the TD-16x and 14x series, but not the 125 series, and obviously some of the Linn's tables.
 
Any Linn dealer will carry them, or you can buy from Russ Andrews in the UK. It's a Premotec motor serial number 9904 111 31819. You'll also find Airpax with the same number - they're older.

I bought mine from ebay, where they come up quite often. Only thing to worry about is the frequency - you'll need one with the 60hz pulley, not the 50hz which is for Europe.
 
You could also consider the DC motors available in the UK or online. I'm assuming your LP12 doesn't have a valhalla PSU?
 
Valhalla was introduced in 1982 from serial number 38,794 onwards, so it may have one. The giveaway is the switch- if it's a push on/off it's the earlier PS, if it's a rocker, it's the Valahalla.
 
No, unfortunately it does not have the Valhalla power supply. The DC motor option that I can find is from Origin Live and I'm not sure it's worth $450. Any opinions on whether the Origin Live DC motor kit is worth it? Or other sources for the DC motor?
Is it worth the effort to find a Valhalla P/S for this table? I appreciate all the information provided by everyone.
 
Can I reuse the pulley from y current motor or is it impossible to remove (I haven't tried yet)?

I bought mine from ebay, where they come up quite often. Only thing to worry about is the frequency - you'll need one with the 60hz pulley, not the 50hz which is for Europe.
 
The answer as regards the Valhalla is probably yes, but with several caveats.

Firstly, the Valhalla was in production for a while and there are many which are near end of life and will need some components replaced. Again, the components are available, but it does mean you wouldn't want to overpay for one. Some companies offer reconditioned ones, but they aren't necessarily cheap.

Secondly, although fitting isn't overly complex and the instructions can be downloaded from a number of sources, your crossbrace may not have the necessary holes drilled, which means either you strip down the deck and bodge a DIY job or get a more recent crossbrace, which effectively means the sub chassis.

Apparently the upgrade is well worth it in terms of speed stability. I have an older deck than yours and will be trying it at some point. You'll need the PCB clips which are cheap enough.

As to the motor, I'd stick with the Linn motor, if only for cost, plus they're (normally) rock solid.

You can use your existing pulley on the Promotec motor, but fitting is tight. You'll need to heat it up so it expands and fits on the shaft - they say boiling the pulley in water should be enough.
 
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Great, thanks for the advice. I think I'll try the replacement of the power supply as I'm fairly adept electronically. I would plan to replace all appropriate components (capacitors at least).
 
I've just had an email to say the wonderful Audio Origami have finished my Akito, so I may start an occasional thread on the LP12 as the next job will be the Valhalla, if you'd be interested in posting on that.

I'm distinctly on the know-how-to-solder-but-that's-it side of electronics, so it would be good to share experiences.
 
I'd be glad to help out. I'm an electrical engineer so I shold be able to be of some service. I'd appreciate the opportunity to pay you back for the advice...

I've just had an email to say the wonderful Audio Origami have finished my Akito, so I may start an occasional thread on the LP12 as the next job will be the Valhalla, if you'd be interested in posting on that.

I'm distinctly on the know-how-to-solder-but-that's-it side of electronics, so it would be good to share experiences.
 
I'm having a difficult time finding the 9904 111 31819 motor. I can find 9904 111 31813 but don't know if it's interchangeable.
 
I'd like to find one locally because the one from Russ Andrews is 95 pounds (about $165). Anyone know if the 3813 version will work?
 
The 3813 is used in the Rega and several other decks. If you look at the specs it should be a drop-in replacement, but, even so, I'd check with a local dealer before you invest. There is a price difference, but, over here anyway, the price difference isn't that great.
 
I've pulled the datasheet and it looks like a direct replacement. I can't find a Linn dealer that's open today so I'll try tomorrow. I called Linn directly and about all they told me is that the Valhalla requires a 50Hz motor (which the 31813 is).
 
Have to admit it looked like that to me, too. Checked my own motor today, and it clearly states 50hz - I wonder if the only difference is in the pulley size?
 
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