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Is the "standard" Linn Sondek LP-12 surpassed by newer turntable brands and designs??

More than ever, the infamous Linn Sondek LP12 turntables appear for sale on Audiogon. The price of each piece varying based on the age, condition, and how many authorized factory upgrades have been done .

The question is: Is the "standard" ( without any upgrades) Linn LP-12  outperformed by newer brand turntable designs??  It seems to be getting long in the tooth as a viable high end turntable

Can someone explain what made the sound quality of this table so special and so sought after??  Is  a USED standard Linn LP-12. really worth the money??   Thanks 

sunnyjim
varyat's avatar
varyat
145 posts
 
How many "newer" designs allow the owner to start at an affordable "standard" level and upgrade over time to a top flight deck, supported by the original manufacturer as well as many well established third party vendors? 
Go hear a new "standard" level LP12 and compare it to decks in same price range. The LP12 has a signature sound to it- it has drive, rhythm and is fun to listen to. If you like this sound , go for it.
It's a proper record player that will last a lifetime- make up your own mind.
moonglum
619 posts
 

Dear Jim,

You have my sympathies. Picking up on the subject of tyre kickers. There is no doubt that there was an element of snobbery or superiority complex amongst those who were part of the Linn "revolution" at its peak. It started from the Chairman then flowed down through manufacturing & support then through the Dealers, eventually affecting the media and finally many of the customers. It was like a cult, not dissimilar to the current analogue industry in fact.... ;^)

(An industry which I confess to occasionally over-fervently defending throughout the years when faced with the onslaught of digital ;^)

Despite being a Linn owner at that time, I found the arrogance of  some Linn Dealers irritating in the extreme.

BTW "PFM" is shorthand for "Pinkfishmedia" forum.

You need to get out more. ;^) :D

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,821 posts
 
DaveyF, in fairness, we have been comparing 80s LP12s with 60s Garrards!

nkonor
635 posts
 
I have an '88 vintage Linn w/ Cirkus, Lingo, Ekos and had it "Tuned" by Tom at Ovature Audio in Ann Arbor, MI. New Kleos cartridge. Sounds as "New "; Toe Tapping musical. My (3rd Lyra) and it sounds better than the Clavis and Hellicon before. Still like that it has a dust cover. Just bought a Kuzma Stabi S, Kuzma Ref 12 VTA , platter upgrade and 33/45 power supply. Great TT! Plays well above its price! Some might disagree but I think the 12" arm lets the Dynavector XX2 Mk II unravel complex passages, lots of detail, huge soundstage,deep bass, precise imaging. The Linn and Kuzma play in the same "league" But the Linm has that something 
"Toe Tapping" about it.  Does either the Linn or Kuzma blow the other away? NO!  They are different and have different qualities ( different cartridges, arms, suspended vs unsuspended) Both are satisfying! I suppose that it will take a "Super Table, Arm, Cartridge."  Combo to blow them away ! / ?. I do wonder if the Keel & Radikal can elevate the Linn? Or should I save that money towards one of the TTs that I am considering? : Kuzma Stabi M w/ 4pt or 14" arm, Kronos w/ Helena arm or Tech Das III w/ Graham arm? All thoughts, opinions are welcome. There is a lot of great gear out there and you can't get to hear it alone. Thanks in advance.
varyat's avatar
varyat
145 posts
 
The Radikal fundamentally changes the LP12 to a more modern sounding TT, i.e. more accurate. The Cirkus bearing  and Kore subchasis upgrades also follows along this same path. All are fantastic upgrades and imo should be considered prior to tonearm or cartridge upgrades.
If you like what an LP12 does then these upgrades make perfect sense.
The "super" TT's you mention are different altogether and I suspect will have a very different sound signature. 

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