2. analog
  3. 192814-178608

Linn LP12 turntable

I was in my favorite audio store yesterday talking turntables… Rega P10, MoFi MasterDeck etc, when he stated he had a Linn LP12 he was selling for a customer at $2,400 & the customer had $14K (with upgrades) into it. Intriguing, but knew nothing about Linn. After my research, people seem to love it or hate it. But it is installed in many fine audiogon systems. 
I would like your thoughts and recommendations. 
I have asked the following questions of the dealer: 

1. Date of production 

2. Upgrades that have been added 

3. Power supply / tone arm

4. Condition 

5. Recently serviced

I have not yet seen it, but it is there now. What other questions should I ask?

My current analog system: 

Pro-ject 1xpression carbon classic with Hana ML

Rega Aria

PS Audio BHK pre

Simaudio Moon 330A amp

KEF R11’s

Advise would be greatly appreciated. 

128x128signaforce
signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
237 posts
 

@richardbrand 

Thanks for your recommendation. 2 issues… potentially shortcomings on my part… but that is me. 
1. I like perfect. I have bought some used audio pieces and even some antiques. The audio pieces were like new… mint & the antiques were in excellent condition. A 20;year old turntable could be in great condition… mine would… but this one wasn’t… to me. 
2. I would immediately start thinking it could be better, and go down the upgrade rabbit hole. So just under $7k all in. That would potentially be ok, if this TT was closer to perfect & had a better tonearm.  
To someone else, where only sound matters, this may be a good deal, but doesn’t work for me. Thanks!

lewm
13,251 posts
 

Still a chance to settle down with a Technics 1200G, GAE, G2, or whatever you can find with a G in it, first or second hand.

musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349
242 posts
 

I have owned what was my father's Linn/Valhalla for well neigh on 40 years or so. He moved on to SOTA at the time and VPI after that. About 8 years ago, I gave it a thorough going through. R&R the lubricant for the bearing, new belt, releveling and retuning the suspension and retuning the Rabco tone arm. About 4 years ago I replaced the Denon 103 with a Hana EL. You can see it in my system photos. 

It has been rock solid dependable. It's also rather lovely sounding if I do say so myself. It suits.

Yes, you can fall into the trap of a never ending series of modifications or "upgrades" or, you can just enjoy it as is. I've preferred the latter and never regretted it. 

Happy listening.

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,007 posts
 

if Jon is Jon at Ultra Fidelis… he is a saint w ears

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
237 posts
 

@tomic601 Jon is the Raleigh store manager at Audio Advice… he is a great guy!

@lewm The 1200G is a great deck.

No final decision yet… am staying pat, for now, but back to leaning P10. Love the look, the simplicity and the reviews. Also, my TT is located on the second shelf (not the top…center speaker is there). A removable dust cover and low profile is essential. If i were to ’cheap out’ 😏 (sorry I couldn’t resist @tablejockey) I would buy a P8, a very good price performer.

 

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