Opinion LINN LINGO1 v, LINN LINGO 2,3

[ROBIZ]

I've Got an old Linn Lp 12 equipped with Lingo1 . Someone advised me to buy the Linn Lingo 2 or 3 . Are the differences audible when changing the Lingo 1 model for a more updated one ?

[Charlie1]

I owned the L1 and L2 for 2-3 years and found only a small difference between them in the grand scheme of things. The L1 had been serviced with Linn supplied components and the L2 was a very late one from 2006. I got the L2 serviced a couple of years later but think it was fine for most of that period having listened back to old clips,

I found the L1 more old skool foot tapping era Linn with a bit more rhythmic drive, perhaps cos it cuts less power to the motor than the L2, once up to speed. L2 is firm tunedem era and a bit more melodic and detailed, perhaps cos the motor is quieter. I wouldn’t worry too much either way to be honest. I’d take either one over an Armageddon any day.

Not heard the L3.

[ROBIZ]

ths for your answer Charlie

[Tendaberry]

I would recommend, that you save up for a Lingo 4, maybe a used one. Now that's a step up!

[ROBIZ]

Many say that the right direction is the lingo 4 . Some have left negative comments on the Lingo 4 but I fear due to some mistake in set up the motor .

[Matteo]

Having lived with one for some years, IMHO the Lingo 3 is (was) the brightest star among the LP12 motors (in term of VfM): it has the last Majik case (the L1 and L2 have the old Majik case, while the L4 is orrendous) and it's a lot of fun.

If you can find one used for 700/800 €, I would took the plounge on it.

M.

[ROBIZ]

THS M. for sharing your expereience M.

[ThomasOK]

I thought the Lingo 2 was a significant step up from the Lingo 1. The Lingo 3 is just a Lingo 2 board in a different case and I felt they basically sounded the same. Lingo 4 is a completely different design with a different motor and I feel it is a substantial step up musically from all previous Lingos. There have been a few bad motors and a grounding problem with early versions but the grounding has been straightened out and can be fixed on older units. As long as the motor itself is quiet the Lingo 4 is a very good way to go.

[Ianw]

I've Got an old Linn Lp 12 equipped with Lingo1 . Someone advised me to buy the Linn Lingo 2 or 3 . Are the differences audible when changing the Lingo 1 model for a more updated one ?

Had a Majik then L1 then L3, each were meaningful upgrades.

Heard L3 back to back with L4 on otherwise identical decks.

L4 was a very easy winner; great piece of kit at a reasonable price.

[ROBIZ]

THS lanw

[LSPC]

Lingo 4 for me they are not much dearer now, in fact I got an unused one over a year ago for Lingo 3 money (£800) if you can stretch that budget slightly the Lingo4 is a great piece of kit and the power supply is easily hidden .

[sktn77a]

The early Lingo 2 was the Lingo 1 innards in a wider case. The later Lingo 2 had the new surface mount main board in the wider case and was supposedly superior. The Lingo 3 (2.5) was the later Lingo 2 innards in the even wider case. So there were really only 2 of the 12 volt Lingos (1 and 2.5)

The Lingo 4 is supposedly vastly superior to the 1, 2, and 3 but, wow, that dumb new case???!!!

[El Mero Mero]

I have done the upgrade from Lingo 1 to Lingo 2 and then to Lingo 4. All upgrades are worth it. Make sure to check and adjust the speeds on Lingo 1 and Lingo 2 as the units differ from each other. Lingo 4 has a sensor and does not need this adjustment.

The upgrade to Lingo 4 is the biggest.

[ThomasOK]

The early Lingo 2 was the Lingo 1 innards in a wider case. The later Lingo 2 had the new surface mount main board in the wider case and was supposedly superior. The Lingo 3 (2.5) was the later Lingo 2 innards in the even wider case. So there were really only 2 of the 12 volt Lingos (1 and 2.5)

The Lingo 4 is supposedly vastly superior to the 1, 2, and 3 but, wow, that dumb new case???!!!

This is close to correct but the verbiage is confusing. The Lingo 1 (which of course wasn't called that, it was just called the Lingo) did end up having it's board put in a few of the wider cases used for the Lingo 2. This happened because Linn ran out of the shoebox cases before they had the Lingo 2 board (with the surface mount components) ready. These units were never called Lingo 2, they were just original Lingo in a larger case. After a few months the new board was installed and that was the Lingo 2. Somewhere there is likely a history of what serial number the change to 2 occurred at but I don't currently have it to hand. I feel the Lingo 2 is a substantial upgrade over the original Lingo (1) regardless of the case. The Lingo 3 is the Lingo 2 board in the Majik style wider case with the curved front and to me sounds the same as the 2. As already mentioned the Lingo 4 is a completely different design and I find it musically a fair bit superior to previous Lingos. Just to confuse things further the official Linn name for the Lingo 4 is just Lingo.

I don't understand what is meant by 12 volt Lingos and there is nothing that has generally been called a 2.5. But it is true that there were only 2 Lingo boards before the Lingo 4 - the original and the mostly surface mount version of the 2 and 3.

[sktn77a]

Ah, OK, the "12 volt Lingos" refers to those powering the 12 volt AC motor. That would make the Lingo 4 a "24 volt Lingo"!

[ThomasOK]

Ah, OK, the "12 volt Lingos" refers to those powering the 12 volt AC motor. That would make the Lingo 4 a "24 volt Lingo"!

Hi Keith, That is what confused me. The Lingo 4 uses a 12 Volt motor, all the previous ones use a standard 120/240 Volt motor with a 50Hz size pulley. That motor can actually run at correct speed anywhere between around 60 and 264 Volts. The Lingo 1, 2 and 3 all start up at a higher voltage and then drop to about 60 Volts once correct speed is reached. This is indicated by the light in the power switch going dim when the voltage is dropped. It is intended to give more startup torque to get things spinning faster and then drop to a lower torque once stable for reduced motor vibration.

[fredrik]

I've Got an old Linn Lp 12 equipped with Lingo1 . Someone advised me to buy the Linn Lingo 2 or 3 . Are the differences audible when changing the Lingo 1 model for a more updated one ?

Yes, Lingo 2/3 will give you a quick upgrade, nothing needs to be installed inside the lp12 since you have Lingo 1 already!
I found the upgrade from 1 to 2 worthwhile.