linn sondek tt

These tables are almost 50 years old. They have been passed down, bought, sold, shipped in any box laying around. Sitting in basements for years. Cartridge install with arm mounted. Shipped with platter in place and tone arm mounted. Then people listen to them and judge them. Or they listen to them set up perfectly and don't like them. It doesn't matter. There ears don't like the sound. As for me Dave I've never damaged anything. Yes, the Linn is colored to me. It has bloated bass, piano's are veiled in its basic form, which can be fun to listen to. The ittok to me is a little bright. Colored to what? Any table that goes for perfect studio play back sound, huge bass, super detailed, the big American sound. I find the Linn to be smooth with all the detail I need in a relaxing presentation. To me I call that's coloration vs the American sound. Maybe compare an old hollow body Gretch vs a Fender Strat. The Gretch has more body and soul  but the Strat is cleaner and faster, you pick what grabs you.

 @paulcreed   Again and again I guess i have to repeat the same old thing....THIS TABLE SOUNDS VERY DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON ITS VINTAGE!!!! 

If you heard an older model with the Valhalla power supply and the old Ittok arm, what you stated makes some sense, IF you heard a new Klimax versions with the Radikal D and the newer Ekos Se..or another great arm, like a 4 point 9...it makes no sense!
Compared to most American tables, I guess you are talking VPI's here...then I personally wouldn't swap the LP12 for any of them.

Your analogy with guitars makes me laugh...The Gretch is good for rockabilly and some jazz, that's what I use it for; the Strat and the Tele ( you forgot that one) is what i use for leads and everything else....
Not really a great analogy, IME. 

i guess my table with upgrades is a Les Paul

the analysis of the Strat and the Gretsch is a perfect analogy.

the American Sound is one of the best turntables in the world