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

@daveyf

​​​​​​In essence, all you’re saying is that it’s complicated.

There’s a whole range of LP12s that can be compared with lots of other turntables.

Is the LP12 going to win out in every case? Of course, it can’t.

It all depends on what the person is looking for. For example, is there synergy with what you’ve already got? That was the case with me last year.

With such a variety of components, it’s always going to be possible to find one element to criticise. Everybody has their own bete noire.

My point was that quoting the high price of a brand new top of the range LP12 with cartridge, phono stage and all the bells and whistles to argue that the LP12 is expensive is a complete non sequitur. So what. Lots of hifi is expensive.

The fact is the basic cost of the LP12 hasn’t changed as much as some people try to make out.

All Linn has done is to try to compete in a more rarefied market as well. That doesn’t really affect current owners of the LP12 who have no desire to upgrade. It’s what Linn need to do to survive and prosper. I am not sure why so many people are getting their knickers in a twist about it.

@newton_john Agreed. With the added point that the LP12 at its Klimax level with the Bedrok plinth is expensive..in relation to its competition. IOW, it is then possible to acquire a superior product for a similar, or maybe even lower price. Are there even more expensive tables that do not sound as good as the LP12 Klimax with Bedrok?I believe that is also true.

The LP12 Majik model is IMO a very good deal and a superior option to the competition, which is why i recommended it up thread. The Akurate model is also priced competitively, IMO.

Not complaining about the price of the new LP12 Klimax with Bedrok, simply pointing out that not only have Linn now placed themselves in a price level of table that the consumer now has a number of options that are possibly better value, but also they have now almost required their more sophisticated buyer to "shop around".

@daveyf

Sorry, I don’t know enough about other high end turntables to comment on the Bedrok LP12’s ability to compete with them.

The one thing I would say is Linn  managed to sell a couple of hundred LP12-50s. That must amount to a few million pounds turnover.

Presumably, Linn have given the Bedrok careful thought. Perhaps, they think there’s enough people with Klimax LP12s who will upgrade to Bedrok to make it pay.

I must admit that if I had the money to spare, I’d at least consider Bedrok. As it is, the only way I could conceivably buy one would be second hand. Even then it is unlikely, but never say never.

Hello,

I own and have owned many turntables.  Despite having a recent model P3 with the outboard power supply, I am not a Rega fan.  They are neither high mass, nor suspended.  It was bought as an interim machine when the speed regulation went south on my SOTA and I had not yet convinced myself to spend the money for a TechDas.  After the Rega I bought a base LP12,  a Majik with the new bering.  I had the dealer upgrade it at purchase time to a Lingo so I did not have to change the belt to play 45 rpm LPs.  The arm did not cue properly so I took the table back to the dealer and went to an Ekos SE.  This combination with my Lyra Etna Lambda SL or Linn Kandid is very good.  I now have a TechDas Air Force Premium III S witha Triplanar U2 SE, but the Linn was really not that far behind in sound quality.    Hopefully soon I will get it to my dealer and let him put the Kandid back on it.  The Kandid is Lyra made and sounds like the old Helikon to me.  Clear but a touch thin.

Point being,  a properly configured LP12 can hold it's own with just about any table currently produced.  And considering aesthetics, mine has the piano black plinth and I think it looks quite good.

You folks be careful,

Robert

@robob  You say the LP12 can hold its own with just about any table produced. While I wouldn’t go that far, as I have heard some amazing tables, like the Brinkmann, the new Esoteric, and even the SAT, I have not compared them in my system. I do feel that the LP12 has some inherent weaknesses that are part of the basic design. One such weaknesses, imo, is the inability of the table to accommodate multiple arms, also the fact that the table is highly restrictive of what arms will work with the suspension. 
Aesthetics wise, I would agree that the Linn is one of the better looking tables.