Is a Linn Sondek LP12/Lingo/Ekos with a Cirkus update, the last turntable I’ll ever buy?

@xagwell  The cost of the last 10-15% is always much higher than the average in audio. Whether it is worth it is another question and only answered by the individual consumer. I would agree that with some of the Linn upgrades the cost is high compared to the result, but that can be said for just about everything in this hobby. Value for money is not, it would seem, high on most high end manufacturer's list. Not to say there are not a few companies that do offer value for money, but they do seem to be the exception, and not the rule, IME. 
Probably a big part of this issue, is that there simply isn't a big enough audience in the hobby to insure that through mass production an acceptable profit is realized; therefore leading to a maximization of profit per unit sold...which means the value for money equation is similarly negatively impacted. IMO.

Value for money is not, it would seem, high on most high end manufacturer's list. Not to say there are not a few companies that do offer value for money, but they do seem to be the exception, and not the rule, IME.
Probably a big part of this issue, is that there simply isn't a big enough audience in the hobby to insure that through mass production an acceptable profit is realized; therefore leading to a maximization of profit per unit sold...which means the value for money equation is similarly negatively impacted. IMO.

There is something called the Veblen Effect, where more expensive is often perceived as offering more value. This is common in high end products. An excellent example is Campagnolo, who makes bicycle components. During the 1970s a Japanese company called Sun Tour came up with a derailleur system than was better in every way than Campy units and because the former were built to a price formula rather than what the market would bear, were a lot cheaper than the latter and so found their way onto lessor expensive bike frames.


Part of the Veblen Effect is simply that more expensive doesn't mean its actually better. If you can find a piece priced to a formula rather than what the market will bear, you're likely to get a better deal. Technics is one example of that, and they built their new turntables in sufficient quantity that they are considerably less expensive than the competion that performs at the same level. Another way to think about this is what would a Technics SL1200 cost if built by a small company with only 4 employees, and maybe only in quantities of 10 rather than 1000? The answer is probably 'about 3-4 times more'...

@atmasphere The Veblen effect you mention is certainly a very important aspect when it comes to high end audio. I have spoken to several manufacturers who have told me outright that they are required to either a) have a high price on their wares or b) increase the price across their range, in order to appeal to a certain type of buyer. This has nothing to do with the value, and everything to do with the marketing- and their rep’s insistence. Problem is, for those folk, who I count myself one of, the actual ability to acquire the piece and truly enjoy it is diminished. Additionally, the consumer who shops solely on price is likely to get tired quickly of their acquisition and always be unsure of what it is that they bought...another er, psychological, effect. Happens in a number of hobbies and endeavors, unfortunately this one being one of the most prevalent .

BTW, there is a well known US amp manufacturer who has recently just about doubled his pricing across his range, due to exactly what you describe. His just acquired marketing manager is behind this..same exact product, now twice the price...in order to appeal to his hoped for new audience!!

I feel you as the young folks say.  Veblen or diminished return I'm staying put unless the change/upgrade is mouth dropping, which right or wrong is my criteria for establishing value.  I have only had a couple of these over the years: the first time I heard the Keel, a Boulder Pre-Amp, The Watt Puppy, and Mye Stands on Maggies to name a few.

12-17-2018 2:33pm
Interesting to compare the setups in the two factories!

"While recent sales of new turntables have been between 300 and 700 per year, Linn tells us the higher proportion of sales is attributed to upgrades. Owners can send their decades-old LP12 to the Linn factory to be upgraded to current day specification – yes, even those purchased over 40 years ago. www.whathifi.com/features/making-linn-sondek-lp12
With such a small yearly production, I am not surprised there are so few dealers and that Linn has taken over their distribution in the US.
Technics makes more turntables in two weeks than Linn makes in a year!
www.whathifi.com/features/the-making-of-technics-sl-1000r