Thoughts on the Linn LP12 turntable

Well, my perspective of Linn is different from all those who put down the LP12. I’m sure at the klimax level and cost there are better and worst sounding table, being more or less expensive. I have a LP12 since 1982 and paid 1400$ canadian $...At that time this was fair considering the low CAN$ value. In the 30 plus years I had that turntable it is pretty much amortise so I would consider value at 0$. I have bought a Kore sub, and a Karousel bearing. Total cost 2200$. Well for 2200$ I basicaly have a new turntable at a much superior sound level that what I had. Don’t know what I could have bought for that price and if it would have sounded better. Honestly I don’t care. Very please with my 2200$ Linn. Could not have done that with my old Technic or TD125. Now have a LP12 kore ittok karousel. added a used lingo in the 90. Almost at Akurate level for not much money. Would I pay 10000$ today for a Akurate Linn....no I don’t have those funds. But 2000$ to bring mine to a second life,,,yes I was lucky to have bought a LP12 in the early 80,s.

One of my friends swore blind that his LP12 was the mutts nuts, especially after every upgrade he purchased. As others have said it was a money pit, Ivor Tiefenbrun was a genius marketeer who could sell ice to Eskimos! But the hype and sales BS eventually wore thin, I’m still using a 1964 Garrard 401 that beats a Linn hands down!

As commented on throughout the thread.

There are quite a few options to consider as an alternative TT, as a selection of the contributors have pointed to.

There are also a few long term owners who can't separate from their TT, and are expressing their content with the maintaining the use of the TT.

I am a long term owner, that has not been too inspired to use the TT over many years, the TT will become a handed down to a Grandchild along with some other owned TT's and ancillaries, from little Acorn's grow Mighty Oaks.

If the G'children showed a keenness to experience the Vinyl Set Ups that are available, that could potentially give some of my owned a Albums a service life of +50 years and then who knows the extension of their usage into the Century.

Not Bad for Albums that were a few £'s when new.      

@garylb   +1.

One thing we always hear from the naysayers and denigrators of the Linn is when asked to name another table that has the ability to be updated over time is this...dead silence! LOL.

There are many TT's that can be upgraded, it is a matter of how the upgrade is looked at.

Plinth Materials that are offering a improvement in comparison to the original selected material, where the improvement in stability of the alternative plinth material is much improved across different environments. It is quite common to see such items offered for sale.

A Tonearm or Cartridge is a simple and effective upgrade for a TT with these  ancillaries that are limited in their function.

Improved Synchronised Motors are commonly seen available, with a function that offers a very tight tolerance for speed stability.

There are rethinks on Platter Spindle Bearings as well, where a different bearing assembly can be exchanged to replace a original design.

In some cases even the Platter Material is offered in an alternative material to the originals design.

Linn have excelled at offering their own Branded Add On Ancillaries, steering their customers away from considering the comparative devices on offer from competitors.

There are options to upgrade most TT's, the search for the method will be a little broader that selecting a sale item offered by a Brand to be used with their own Brand TT.