Linn LP12 turntable

The top 3 polarizing/contentious have now been mentioned in the thread.

Linn, Rega and VPI.

Hopefully, the OP follows his ears/wallet to his "Goldilocks" table.

Just don't cheap out on the cart and phonostage!

signaforce

Yes there are a lot of LP12 bashers and the Linn doctrine of unending upgrades to cash in more money on used decks that still feeds the love/hate stories.

l believe in all the ‘sales hype’ that had fuelled this debate on how this manufacturer engineered the first ‘turntable you could hear’ to be true. What upset the hi-fi world is now evident and often discussed. The alleged supplier/retailer collusions that incrementally began elbowing out ‘rivals’ to achieve overall domination in the UK marketplace. Many equally competitive/reputable brands subsequently unfairly fell by the wayside in the 1980s. Now all this may have come back to haunt Linn for there is now a lot of backlash unintentionally of their own making.

There will always be different opinions on the Linn LP12 (bass bloom/constant fettling /servicing/endless money drain) but you pays your money and you takes your choice!

As to your final choice signaforce, someone has spent a lot of extra cash on this ‘cash cow’ already and that saves you doing the same. If you audition this turntable ignoring any hype and do some ‘sound listening’ and ultimately enjoy what you hear (maybe on home trial) go for it. Someone else has already put the original design restraints to order and you cash in.

Thats my Logic!

Back in their day, I too saw the advert claiming you could whack the plinth of the ARXA with a hammer without disturbing the sound from an LP in play. Which is in part why I posed my question about the LP12 suspension. SOTA use an inverted symmetrical spring suspension, and Mijostyn claims it is very impervious to external disturbances. This being a benefit of the inverted springs.

Not sure that's $12k worth. Get the specs in writing. 

Upgrades: New trampoline, tone arm, newer motors control board

@jonwolfpell A very strong recommendation. Thanks
But not sure what listening at the dealer might do. They have my speakers, but a different cartridge, electronics & room acoustics. Would that not be too many variables?

@lewm A very good question. And the suspension design is very similar to the old AR, which they (supposedly) drove a nail into the plinth with no skipping (don’t believe that… but that’s the story). 

BTW, where are all the LP12 bashers?? If I make this purchase & then you come out… that would not be good…

I am not an LP12 basher, but what does the spring suspension do, if the table is still sensitive to footfalls? I mean, why bother with the elaborate setup?

I’ve heard many fine systems from 1979 to fairly recently that had a Linn . I doubt you could do better sonically for 2 to 3 times the cost even used. Listen to it on a good system in the store & see. 

Signaforce,,  yes the LP12 is more sensitive to footfall. One suggestion I can offer is to place a clear glass of water on the stand for your turntable. Walk around as you might while listening. If the water shows movement then that indicates the level of effect of footfall which the TT will be need to overcome. One thing you can try as well is brace the top of your stand to the wall behind it with a board, short shower rod that can be tightened etc. Then observe the water and see if the movement is reduced. That may help the LP12 in the rejection of influence of the environment or conditions it will be used in.

I hope that helps.

@theo The TT will be installed in a second floor room (bonus room). I have had very limited issues with foot falls with my current setup.
Not looking to be more susceptible to foot falls. Will I be?  
Not sure what ‘environmental influence’ is. 
@tomic601 Don’t think I need a spring suspension, but it certainly has one. Not sure if that is good or bad… probably bad as I don’t know of a modern table that has that design. 

Thanks everyone. Some answers came back on age and condition:

DOM: early 2000’s

Upgrades: New trampoline, tone arm, newer motors control board

Power supply / tone arm: I don’t honestly remember, but I’ll get the answer.

Condition: Spectacular condition in my opinion

Recently serviced: Steve did the motor control board(primary service requirement) literally 3 weeks ago when the client decided to sell.

Looks like my local dealer has been performing the service

Why selling: Upgraded to VPI Avenger with 2 12” Fatboy tone arms. One with a Hana Umami Red, one with a Clear Audio Charisma Moving Magnet. All in it was around $22,000

Are there any other upgrades that are missing?

Other than the retro look (not a fan… looks like my old Dual 1229)… this TT looks like a fun buy.

Everyone should own a Linn at one time during their audio journey. 
 

Hopefully @daveyf  will chime in as he knows a lot about the LP12 and the upgrades available. 

I owned an LP12 and loved it, still miss the sound of it. However the LP12 must be “tuned or set up properly” to be fully enjoyed. I had issues with footfall and the LP12 is very susceptible to environmental influence. However is you have a very solid floor or it will be placed on a concrete floor by all means look into it. I actually traded in on the Rega RP10, prior to current model. I am very happy with it but still miss the delicate detail of the LP12. If you do purchase the LP12, please write down the following for any future “tune ups” as this guy is the best. I say that not out comparisons with other dealers, but experience and watching him do the actual set up. His attention to detail is on a parallel of watching a fine watch maker, precision is job 1. He does numberous set ups for customers around the country and will return ship the finished product. Contact Rick Duplisea at Audioalternative.com in Fort Collins Colorado. If you don’t have the box, he will sell and ship you one to properly package it for shipping. Good luck if you buy one as I am sure you will love it.

….yawn…1978 left a lot to be desired… But the Linn is a worthwhile pursuit, especially IF you need a spring suspension…

I suspect that IF Grace was still building a 707… it might advance a bit… other than NOS tubes, who really wants an audio company not focused on continuous improvement… especially improvements that can be retrofitted to products from…. 1978.

So nice the previous owner purchased many…

PS a 707 was never the equal of even the most Basik ( that is a test and a joke ) of Linn arms… 

The Rega are good TT…

enjoy the music

Back in 1978 you could buy a LP12 for $450 here in the USA. Even less in the UK! Ivor Tiefenbrunn was a clever marketeer and milked the hype about it during the onslaught of cheaper Jap direct drive turntables invading the UK. The LP12 is basically the same as the venerable original AR TT from the early 60's. You want a Super Deck? Buy a Continuum Caliburn!

As to the idea that only a Linn specialist can properly adjust the LP12 that's nonsense! Just another money grab from Linn! It is no more complicated than the original AR - one of which I have from Vinyl Nirvana. Plus I have two Ariston RD11's  -  Scottish-built cousins to the Linn - which I have worked on and adjusted during different tone arm swaps.

I have an older LP12 that I bought from an eBay seller in England. I paid less than $1K for it, including shipping - and no sales tax because this was seven years ago. It had a Grace 707 arm and a mm cartridge. The Grace arm is worth at least $300! I don't know what upgrades were done to it. IMO the Linn upgrades are just to get the owner to keep spending money. The stock LP12 sounds excellent! If you are so neurotic that you need upgrades well it's your money!

@signaforce I was surprised too, pleasantly as I am on my second Rega. I am not an expert but I would think at this level, it's the cartridge and phono stage that matter, the rest is solid both in the Linn and higher level Regas.

I have a contemporary LP12 that started as the Selekt (configuration) and I purchased a separate cartridge. From there I incrementally upgraded the tone arm and subclasses... I already owned a top end and better photo stage... Audio Research Reference 3. Outstanding turntable with excellent upgradability. 

@grislybutter Great video… with a surprise ending… a P10, the table I had planned to purchase. 🤔

@jc4659 The nearest Linn dealer is about 3 hours away. 

Is your favorite audio store a Linn dealer? Is there one nearby that can make sure it is set up properly, arm bearings ok, etc.?  You are asking the right questions but if all the upgrades were done and they are only asking $2400 I would do it.  It can be a finicky table which is why I ask about a local dealer who will be familiar with all the Linn idiosyncrasies.

I would watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCAhllcc_Ew

I think Linn is overpriced, but you found a good deal, I'd take it.

@noromance That’s what I was thinking, but seems to good to be true. Got to be an issue… or is that near a fair price. The dealer (I trust) seems to think at that price, it will sell in a week. At $4,00, a month. 

@tablejockey Yes, I read a long forum on audiogon with mud slinging both ways. Seems to be no middle ground. Short term I would mount my ML & keep my Aria, although after TT replacement, the Aria would be next to go. The fact that you included it with other great turntables is very intriguing… how many great turntables can be had for $2,400. 

Perhaps in the top 3 of polarizing table brand/models?

The times I’ve heard one- very nice.

Go on an internet forum, you’ll find both satisfied users/more haters

Trust your own ears, and use the best phono stage/cartridge the budget will allow.

You’ll never get a definitive answer as to how the LP12 compares to some of the other great tables.

Can’t really go wrong with a well-fettled LP12. $2400? Take it. It will need a decent support (table/rack) to give its best.