Linn Sondek LP-12 happy/un-happy owners

Re: the www.high-endaudio.com/rc-table link. This blogger has no shortage of opinions and self certainty, but I wouldn't buy a brand of klenex based on what he says, much less audio equipment. For me his bluster is annoying, but more to the point, in my experience I have found several of his opinions to be WAY out of step with my my ears, and with what I look for in audio. His views are in absolutely no way authoritative. I am frankly mistified why some people take him seriously, but to each his own.

Now, as to the LP 12. I own one and love it. I might some day replace it with a Nottingham, but in its most modern incarnation it is a wonderful table. There is a group of vociferous LP-12 detractors out there, many of whom haven't even heard a full spec LP-12 (with Lingo 2 powersupply, and matched with an Ekos tonearm and an Akiva cartridge), only the (MUCH) older models. Don't let them scare you off if you like the way it sounds.

Happy Linn owner here. Fully decked out (Ekos2/Lingo/Lyra cartridge etc), but the most important tweak was a killer isolation table. I use the Mana with a Neuance platform.

Huge difference in all aspects of the music when on the right platform. When the tt was on a plain heavy wood shelf, it vibrated and sounded thin.

Also, arm/cartridge compliance is very important on a Linn. I had a nice Grado cartridge that didn't work worth a damn - put it on a Rega and it was a good match.

I'm in the "I've replaced everything but my LP-12" camp. It killed the Nottingham Spacedeck in a side by side in my house. Flattened it.

FWIW,

R

Theo, Nothing like a little I love it or I hate it banter to clear the waters all up. As for the "cult of Linn" ... Only initial purchasers had to go through a blood ritual of sorts (as is true with most product purchased at retail prices for the first time) but, I was of the impression that you would probably be finding a pre-owned table. Just to set the record straight, I wasn't tricked mystically into buying a Linn and it then wouldn't have taken me 20 years to figure out that something else, and than something else, and... sounded better. Actually the dealer went out of their way to give me excellent A/B (like/same) comparisons and I was very much seduced musically. But in the "real world" if you get a Linn with the "circus" bearing upgrade and the "lingo" power supply, I think you could hold up very well to what is available in turntable recommendations in so far. Again, there are a lot of great tables out there. Good luck

Well I wish to thank one in all for sharing your opinions and experiences with the LP 12. I have a Rega P25 with about all the tweaks I can get on one and love it. But I really feel the need to go to the next step. I loke the fact that the LP12 has many upgrades available (tweak-a-holic here) and I really like a little wood trim on a TT. Don't know why but I am somewhat nostalgic. I keep my McIntosh gear even though there is better stuff out there I love the look. So looks are a consideration in the purchase of the next TT I buy. You fellow AG'ers have provided me a wide spectrum of considerations and I thank you all. As a final note (no pun) I wish to express my appreciation for this forum, I have always found some good advise here.

Opinons will vary, I never owned one, but I listened to minimum 12-15 Lp12 at various Linn Dealers in their demo rooms when I was looking for a "serious" record player. All I can say, I'm glad that this train of "hype" started without me. Compared to small Basis, Well Tempered and some others it always was slow and showed extreme limitations ( even the full loaded ones ) in the high and low frequency area. Even a Linn Dealer smiled when I asked him, what do the people say, when they hear a Platine Verdier in comparison, he also sells. His answer was simple:" ... they believe in something and I can make good money with it...."...
Sorry for not writing an enthusiastic comment, but in my opinion, that was one reason digital became so successful ...