Linn LP12 turntable

@jonwolfpell A very strong recommendation. Thanks
But not sure what listening at the dealer might do. They have my speakers, but a different cartridge, electronics & room acoustics. Would that not be too many variables?

@lewm A very good question. And the suspension design is very similar to the old AR, which they (supposedly) drove a nail into the plinth with no skipping (don’t believe that… but that’s the story). 

BTW, where are all the LP12 bashers?? If I make this purchase & then you come out… that would not be good…

Not sure that's $12k worth. Get the specs in writing. 

Upgrades: New trampoline, tone arm, newer motors control board

Back in their day, I too saw the advert claiming you could whack the plinth of the ARXA with a hammer without disturbing the sound from an LP in play. Which is in part why I posed my question about the LP12 suspension. SOTA use an inverted symmetrical spring suspension, and Mijostyn claims it is very impervious to external disturbances. This being a benefit of the inverted springs.

signaforce

Yes there are a lot of LP12 bashers and the Linn doctrine of unending upgrades to cash in more money on used decks that still feeds the love/hate stories.

l believe in all the ‘sales hype’ that had fuelled this debate on how this manufacturer engineered the first ‘turntable you could hear’ to be true. What upset the hi-fi world is now evident and often discussed. The alleged supplier/retailer collusions that incrementally began elbowing out ‘rivals’ to achieve overall domination in the UK marketplace. Many equally competitive/reputable brands subsequently unfairly fell by the wayside in the 1980s. Now all this may have come back to haunt Linn for there is now a lot of backlash unintentionally of their own making.

There will always be different opinions on the Linn LP12 (bass bloom/constant fettling /servicing/endless money drain) but you pays your money and you takes your choice!

As to your final choice signaforce, someone has spent a lot of extra cash on this ‘cash cow’ already and that saves you doing the same. If you audition this turntable ignoring any hype and do some ‘sound listening’ and ultimately enjoy what you hear (maybe on home trial) go for it. Someone else has already put the original design restraints to order and you cash in.

Thats my Logic!

The top 3 polarizing/contentious have now been mentioned in the thread.

Linn, Rega and VPI.

Hopefully, the OP follows his ears/wallet to his "Goldilocks" table.

Just don't cheap out on the cart and phonostage!