LP 12 Owners-If you were going to buy a new TT ...

I had a Linn LP12 for many years, upgrading along the way to Ekos/Lingo etc. I recently bought a TNT MKV/JMW12.5 combo.(I used a van den hul black beauty cartridge on the Linn and kept it for the TNT/JMW.) I can say that it is a wonderful improvement. The new rig is much quieter and provides much greater resolution of low level detail. This just opened up the sounstage and allows me to hear many nuances I previously missed. In addition, the bass is so much better that it makes the Linn sound as it it was missing half the music.

The Linn is good, but it's not even close to being in the same class as my new rig.

I sold my lp12 and considered the Teres, Nottingham, and VPI. I settled very happily with the Nottingham Hyperspace. Only the looks of the VPI impressed me. I thought I had my heart set on the Teres but my enthusiasm wained about putting it together myself the longer I thought about it. I think the design philosophy is excellent. But I came to the conclusion that with my schedule and habits I'd be better off with a finished, local dealer supported product. The Hyperspace design is generally along the same path as the Teres and does the PRAT thing well as the lp12. If I ever have the luxury of owning two tables, the second will be a pre-vahalla lp12.

IF I was going to buy a new TT (and I am) I would keep my LP12 for various reasons. I'm building a Teres and now that I am nearing completion (after spending about 900 bucks more than I thought I would on the base alone - DIY isn't always cheap) I'm second guessing all my design work. This second guessing is undoubtedly going to make me question the results I acheive with the completed table. I have no idea what to expect and I have a feeling its going to suck. :) Therefore - I anticipate that as long as I own the Teres, I'll be messing with it -- trying to improve on it, etc.

The Linn will remain in my system as that which grounds me to reality -- giving me a basis to judge the Teres as it evolves.

The LP12 really is an amazing table.

Well..I'm not about to dump my LP12 yet...I figure I still need to get some value out of the last upgrade (the carbon fiber subchassis and armboard mod, which DID improve the basss). Like Jackob sez, I guess my problem is one of not REALLY knowing what the heck is wrong with it (or how to fix it) when the sound does not quite "gel". The belt thing is odd. I put a new belt on and it seems to be fine...but the one it replaced was only 2 6 mnoths old. The latest one is a mistracking issue, thogu perhaps I'm being paranoid. My rig will track just about everything I own great, but it sounded like crap on the AP Miles Davis box set..and I sounds like crap on the EMI Pro Use DSOM LP I bought on ebay 2 weeks ago. Perhaps these are just cut too "hot" for the Ekos/Arkiv B to handle..but considering the cost of this arm and cartridge it is really criminal that they fail to play these LP's back well!

My LP 12 is 88' vintage. The dealer sold me the setup jig, strobe,speed disc, setup manual because I was moving to Alaska and he gave a live demo of setup and then watched me do the setup and critiqued me as I did it. I have managed to maintain it with No Problems ( belt, tracking, etc.) It has only been tuned by a Linn dealer twice (2) . Once in 94' when I moved back to Chicago; and this past April by "Tom" at Ovature Audio (400miles each way) in AnnArbor, MI. Even though it has sounded Good and has never given me a problem. I have to admit that Tom's tuneup has that "Linn something " that is just a bit better than My setup!
 I upgraded from Ittok to Elkos in Alaska and added the Lingo. The Cirkus was added in 94, back in Chicago. Since 94' and 2016; I also used (3) different mats and a Sota Cosmos record clamp. Changed from Spectral MCR- Spectral MCR Sig. - Lyra Clavis- Lyra Helikon.  Tom did his "Linn Tuneup " Had me go back to a Linn felt mat, no record clamp, new Linn phono cable. Installed a new Lyra Kleos. Has the Linn Tune w/ all the Lyra Sound. I am thinking of upgrading to Kore sub chassis and Radikal. It plays the tune!!! with everything The Lyra offers; detail , bass, imaging, tracking, Quiet in the Groove!  Holds its specs. Trouble Free! Why would I sell it? It has given me (28) years of pleasure! Would I really get significant $ for it. Probably NOT! Better to just keep it. Upgrade it? Waste of $? Others on this forum say the upgrades ARE worth it!
 I bought a Kuzma Stabi S, w/ platter upgrade, Kuzma 12"VTA arm, outboard PS, Dynavector XX II Mk2. It too ; "Plays well !" Both playing through Manley Steelhead The two setups give me that "Just Enough Change!" That we all seem to need in this hobby. Neither TT totally blows the other away. They play equally well but different! No audio memory here. Both through the same system. 
If I ever get a Super TT; (Kronos, Kuzma Stabi M, Tech Das III) on my list. The LP12 could go to my other small system. 
I am not the sentimental type! The LP12 still gives pleasure and can continue to do so. Others on the forums say that it can be improved! Guess we'll hear it one day. Probably! Maybe? Perhaps.