Favorite Platform for Linn LP12

Thank you for all of the replies so far... even the ones that are tongue in cheek... I do have a sense of humor :)

I personally believe that we as vinyl lovers should feel truly blessed that we have so many great tables to choose from and at many different price points. As @daveyf suggests quite correctly, whether you choose a high mass, light mass or suspended design; belt drive, rim drive, idler, drive; pivoted, uni-pivot, linear tracking arms... there will be pro’s and con’s with all of them, and they will all be affected by various vibrations (air borne, structural, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, etc to some degree or another. The point is, it is possible to enjoy the sound of all these various designs when care is used when setting up the table/arm/cartridge and matching it to your system and your room.

I realize that the LP12 is not the "flavor of the month", but the simple fact that it has been around for many decades and can be modified or upgraded in so many ways; it is certainly still capable of reproducing very beautiful music from those precious record grooves. I for one have been loving the sound from my LP12/ with DC motor and power supply, Naim ARO, Benz Ruby ZH Zebra Wood bodied moving coil for many years.

I have found that in my wood framed house with hardwood floors, that having my LP12 sited on a wall mount that is fixed to the studs of an external wall works the best for my situation. I had built a DIY wall mount shelf that has been working beautifully. The platform that I have been using consists a 18"x17" piece of 3/4" baltic birch plywood. I have 3 wood screws drilled up thru the bottom of that piece and then I have a second 3/4" piece sitting on top of the wood screw points that come up thru the top of that bottom shelf. The combination of the wall brackets being mounted to the external wall studs, and the top baltic birch plywood shelf resting on the 3 wood screw points ( which also allows me to level the table precisely ) the table has been isolated well from foot falls and the platform is still light but rigid allowing the suspension of the Linn to do it’s work as designed.

The reason for me posting this thread is that my baltic birch plywood shelves are warping. Although by adjusting the individual height of each wood screw, I am still able to keep the Linn level, but I don’t care to "see" the warping of the shelves.... it’s unattractive and bothers me visually.

So I think I will continue to use the same wall bracket that I have made, but am entertaining other ideas for the shelf/platform that the LP12 will rest on. As an experiment, I substituted a thick maple butcher block in place of my two piece baltic birch plywood shelfs and the sound became muddy and it obscured the details of the music so that came out right away.

I’m wondering if a marine plywood would resist warping... maybe I will give that a try?

Another idea is using a shelf from Symposium... maybe the Segue?


@harrylavo Thank you for sharing your results with the Target wall shelf. Have you found that the wood insert the Target uses has warped at all?

@chayro Thank you for sharing the great results with the Neuance platform. Unfortunately, I believe they are no longer available and I haven’t been able to find any used at this point. I may look into the Corian as you had suggested.

@testpilot and @palasr Thank you for sharing your experiences with the Mana supports. I do seem to remember those being well liked back in the day :)

@daveyf My LP12 is not fitted with the trampoline, but I should look into that.

Sorry for the long winded post.... but thank you for the contributions so far :)

Wishing you all the very best of health and happiness,
Don

Don, if you have suspended floors, which do usually cause some issues with most turntables, I would suggest that for your Linn, not only do you look into the Tramp 2, but also a very light stand to sit the table on. Lightweight stands are usually best for the LP12. A wall shelf can be ideal, but it is usually a little difficult to get it perfectly level and again, as you are seeing, they can warp. There is no love for the LP12 on most forums these days, and this one is no exception. Usually we see folk who have absolutely no clue as to what the LP12 sounds like today in its current iteration, come out and naysay because a) they either last owned the table back in the early 80's...which now makes them Linn experts on all fronts...or b) they like a specific table ( submit any brand here including the Crossley) and are sure their favorite purchase easily beats the LP12, even though they have never heard an LP12! 

@daveyf  HI and thank you for your reply!  I will certainly look into the Tramp 2 more :)  

Years ago, I did use a nice lightweight table that worked very well.  However, as I am now aging, trying to bend down or kneel, etc to cue the cartridge... it has become very difficult on my knees and joints.  

By using the wall shelf, I can simply walk right up to it standing and no longer have to deal with the pain from bending or kneeling.  By using the adjustable three point system that the shelf rests upon, I am am able to level the table quite well using several levels.  I just really need to find a shelf material that the Linn will like and that also won't warp.

I think I will try visiting a wood shop this afternoon that has various types of both furniture grade ply and marine ply of varying thickness and see what they might recommend that may resist warping. 

I'm still keeping an open mind and welcome additional options/suggestions.

Thanks again,
Don

@no_regrets   Don, try sourcing a bamboo shelf. This is the newest shelf material for audio that is being used extensively now...and IME using it under a few pieces of gear, it works extremely well! Someone once said that bamboo is nature's carbon fibre! 

@daveyf  That sounds interesting... thank you for the tip!  I'll do some research and see if there are any indications of warping with bamboo and how heavy it may be.  

I remember from the good ole days, they always recommended low mass, lightweight, but rigid platforms.  That may explain why the maple butcher block I tried didn't work well with my Linn.  It's rigid, but was heavy and certainly had mass to it and it cluttered up the sound.  The maple butcher blocks may be good for some components, but it didn't seem to work well with my LP12.  Hopefully the Bamboo will be a better match :)

Best Wishes,
Don