Patrick aka Lugnut
Apologies if my post was indirectly, unintentionally damning of some of your tastes and preferences, but no need to be defensive. I was just trying to answer Theo's question honestly from my experience with an LP12.
And I am by no means a plug and play guy. I tinkered endlessly with my direct drive machines -- tonearm cables, record clamps, platter pads, changing the viscosity of the dampling fluid in the SME III, tweaking vertical azimuth - you name it.
But my LP12 just never did much for me, and my suspicion and curiosity increased against the background of cult like devotion and brainwashing stories I heard from Linn salespeople while - I mean whilst - living in London.
Again, I think the whole Naim/UK/Linn thing has a very musical, enjoyable style when set up correctly.
But to me it was never quite up to the hype or price tag, at least for new equipment.
If you love your system, that's great and I wish you continued happiness from it.