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Thoughts on the Linn LP12 turntable

I don’t see many discussions that include the Linn Sondek LP12 turntable and was wondering why? They’ve been around since the late 70’s and other then power supply and a few other minor changes (IMO) are relatively unchanged. I had one in the early 80’s and another in the late 90’s. They are somewhat finicky to get setup correct and once you do, they sound great. That being said I know there have been a lot better designs to come out since the LP12’s hey-day. Are they worth considering  anymore or has the LP12 just become another audio vintage collectors item?

markcooperstein
slaw's avatar
slaw
22,647 posts
 

A friend just recently returned from Michigan with his LP12 after having Tom O’Keefe install a new bearing in a new wenge plinth, then professionally setup and listened to.

noromance's avatar
noromance
10,057 posts
 

@slaw By the time he gets it home, it'll need a tune up!

slaw's avatar
slaw
22,647 posts
 

I was asking him about that. He expressed that concern and in the end things seemed to have worked out nicely.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

The LP 12 is a relic of the past. There was a time when it was the best sounding table at a reasonable price. It was always a PITA. I owned two of them but it was always a love hate relationship. I got my first Sota in 1981 and never looked back. There are so many suspended tables that do it right now the Linn is not even worth a look. Used ones are popular on the market. People buy them and get going with the endless Linn upgrade program and think that turns them into something special. You can not turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. It is an antiquated design any way you look at it and it needs to get thrown out with the bath water. 

daveyf's avatar
daveyf
3,012 posts
 

As usual the typical naysayers are swinging for the fences..

 

The current LP12 Klimax model had a good review recently by Herb Reichert in Stereophile. Herb compared it favorably to his Dr.Feickert and others and seemed to feel it was still at the upper echelon of performance!

What one has to consider when reading the posts from the usual suspects is this...when was the last time any of these boys actually owned the LP12 ( if ever!). The answer in almost all cases is either never--or decades ago, or they still own their 70's vintage model and cannot comprehend why it doesn't compete with the current versions! LOL.

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