Thoughts on the Linn LP12 turntable

@pindac I guess you believe that the only reason to update something is because it is inferior to start with? Perhaps, the reason for the updates is because over time Linn has been able to improve the platform due to technological and cost saving benefits? ( not because it was sub-par to begin with) Maybe you believe that stagnation is the way to go when it comes to this hobby...?? So, no, Linn has not produced an inferior base deck from the beginning, just a deck that can be upgraded as time passes and the technology allows..

This is, IMHO, one of the biggest strengths of this platform, it does not restrict you to the performance level that so many other non-upgradeable turntables do ( many of which are far more costly!)..and instead allows for performance improvements as either a) your budget allows and/or b) they come technologically feasible.

I certainly don't lean towards stagnation, I am aware of how technologies have evolved and become quite beneficial to be applied to a TT and supporting ancillaries, to the point where I have a Source equipment that has adopted modern technologies as a fundamental in the design.

The owned Linn TT is one that I have not been inspired by to consider a adoption of modern technologies to attempt to attain a different performance, it is the TT that is the least used from the selection of owned TT's.

My infrequent use of the owned Linn TT does not leave me without a regular experience of it in use. Within the Local HiFi Club a Members has one with a selection of upgrades, this same person also owns a heavily modified Thorens Model a Lenco GL 75 and a Technics SP10 R as their main deck.

Prior to the SP 10R the GL 75 had become their main in use TT, I have heard all TT's in comparison to the GL 75 and later all TT's including the GL 75 in comparison to the SP10 R.

I don't recall anything on offer from the Linn performance that was encouraging a positive appraisal from any of the attendees.

I was at another Club Members home, who has dedicated their main Source usage to CD. This member has been a host on many occasions and has heard many of the Clubs TT's, which range from a SME 20, Mitchell Orbe, SP10 R, SP10 MkII, Garrard 401, PTP Solid Nine, GL75, used within their system, as there has been many opportunities to carry out demonstrations of Phonostages and this system is one commonly used for the audition on days when they host. 

The club member was interested in being demonstrated the Linn TT in their system on a day they were to host a meeting. The Linn owner obliged and enabled this to happen, bringing along their complete LP Replay Source with the Lin TT.

I was able to be present and had in hand, my usual selection of LP's and Platter Mats to make available.

The Linn did not impress, it was difficult to even suggest it was making any kind of a positive impression, as it was presenting in a manner very different from the memory of other TT's used within the same system.

To try and discover if a little improvement was to be discovered, I suggested a period of exchanging Platter Mats and one was discovered to improve on the performance, which I gifted to the Linn owner.

I have not witnessed anything over +25 years that would encourage myself to spend more money on a Linn TT than I have already parted with. 

With my own Linn, I am happy to occasionally use it, the experience always ends up the same, I am happy to own it, it was a first entry into a long term hobby in maintaining a LP Source. I am also quite happy to put it back into storage, and make way, to have more time for experiencing the other TT's available and much preferred when used.               

@daveyf

+1

The audio technology of the 1970’s and now are like the slide rule compared to a super computer for calculations. Every aspect of high end audio have fundamentally and profoundly improved over the last fifty years. Linn is one of the prospering companies because they continued to do research and development and push the high end… like companies like Conrad Johnson, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, Wilson. Look at the phone in 1970… look at the phone in your hand… an iPhone? Look at the difference… that represents progress… high end audio is very much like that.

I can’t imagine what a fantastic deal it would have been had I bought my LP12 in the 1970’s and been able to upgrade it periodically to be able to have the incredible performance I get today from my contemporary LP12. The sound I get is really amazing.

Also, I have had time to spend with Linn’s DACs and Streamers… wow. Over the last ten years or so… they have really gotten it together as a high end company. 

This thread reminds me of many Leica camera threads.

I have been a long time Nikon owner since the 70’s. Top of the line stuff for that last 20 years. I bought a Leica M10.

The Leica M series often reputed as the best camera of its format. Forums posts endlessly claiming them over priced anachronism/ best camera in the world. Much about “The Leica Look”. Often described as the analog look.

I shot my M10 for over a year as I worked on figuring out exactly what made it different. At long last I was able to describe exactly what it was about its rendering that was unique and exceptional. Folks with decades of experience with Leica generally agreed with me.

There is no question most of the very best photos I have ever taken are with that camera. It results in superior output to Nikon and Canon for many purposes (general photography / with aesthetics as the objective). The Leica lenses and M10 is a marvelous and exceptional camera. Linn LP12 reminds me of this. It gets a lot of criticism often from folks that have had incidental or not optimal exposure. But what propels the brand is its exceptional performance. My LP12 performs much like my Leica M10.

@ghdprentice +1

I think one of the issues that Linn has to deal with is the same as what Leica has to deal with, that is they are an old brand that has been lauded for many years. As such, there are folks who, like you stated, have limited experience with the product but at some point in time had a little exposure. These folks are now convinced that the limited experience with the product makes them cognoscenti and able to state denigrating remarks.

I have been impressed with the Linn LP12 since I acquired mine, back in the 80’s. What I have not done is try to compare my original 80’s model with an upgraded model from the present. Instead, I have taken the opportunity to avail myself of the upgrades as they came into budget and realized that these were indeed--upgrades.

Is the Linn LP12 the best table at any price, no i do not think so! I believe Linn’s insistence on attempting to combine an arm of their design with the table (this arm has grown way past its sale by date), has resulted in it being passed over by more advanced arm designs and a few other tables. Albeit, all of the competing designs that i believe are superior are also considerably more expensive.

The basic Linn LP12 platform still holds excellent value and great potential, I am just hoping that Linn can see their way to replace the old war horse Ekos-SE design with something far more SOTA.