Linn Sondek LP-12 happy/un-happy owners

When I was looking for a good turntable in Europe, I had a few visits at various LINN main dealers, they offered comparisons with various LP12 ( with/ without Lingo, Valhalla etc.etc. ) Some had Naim ARO Arms, some with LINN/Naim Electronics ( pre/power/speakers ) and other dealers had that and selled other turntables and different electronics. One gave me a demo with LP12's with FM Acoustics electronics ( the Phono, Pre and Amp and he was a Platine Verdier dealer, too ). Anyway, this is some years ago, I made my decision for a different brand ( not the Basis Debut, that was much later ).

I am a happy turntable owner. Please note that while I have a Linn LP12 moniker, I am not a fanatic. I enjoy music whatever brand. The whole secret is component matching and set up. I once heard a $50,000 system and thought the cheap stuff at Best Buy sounded better. Your ears and tastes also count. I have a Linn LP12 with ARO, Pinnk Linnk and Transfiguration Temper W. I also own a TNT with SDS, Graham and Spectral MCR cartridge. I enjoy them both immensely. Also have had Lingo Ekos pairings, Well tempererd Garrard 401, other VPI tables, etc. These two I have I settled on. The Linn has tremedous bass, is musical and wonderful to listen too. The VPI I have has the original series 1 platter with 5 bearing and motor, so it is warmer which I prefer over the newer VPI's with the clear Acrylic platters. I really enjoy my Linn and gives me hours of music pleasure. Set up. arm synergy and cartridge synergy are all very important. If you get it right, the LP12 is an awesome turntable. Once adjusted properly, I dont need to touch it for years (I have my own jig and adjust myself). The mags rave about scoutmaster, HRX, Nottingham, etc. I have heard these at dealers and found it incredibly difficult to judge them. They dont have my cartridges, they dont have my electronics, cables, etc. But with the setups, I didnt hear the magic I had read about.
My advice, if you want an excellent turntable, the Linn is great consideration. Dont get with anything less than an Ittok arm. Their lower arms, in my opinion, are terrible. If you buy one used, they are very reasonable and if you sell at a reasonable price, you can sell it very easily if you dont like it. It is really tough to audition tables these days with the lower end cartridges on tables.

If you are thinking about a new LP12, no doubt it will be great. If you find a well maitained used unit up to say the Cirkus level, it will also be very, very good.

This is not to say that other turntables might not also be good, or possibly better, but it is doubtful that you will find a better sounding turntable $ for $.

If you find a cherry condition LP12 Cirkus unit with a Itok LVII tonearm and mount a Shelter 901 or better yet, a Shelter 90X, and put comparably deluxe electronics and speakers with the turntable/arm/cartridge you will hear sound that will make you very happy, IMO.

Go for the LP12, a good arm, and a great cartridge and then you can focus on the rest of your system.

In the response to my post, I heard a megabuck system that was so bad, I couldnt stand it. It was comprised of all respected equipment, but the pieces were not compatible. It was truly terrible. The reason I said that, was to reinforce my statement that matching is very very important. Systems have to be matched to get the best combo for your ears. That to me is why it is so difficult to audition and buy analog gear these days. No one ever has a setup similar to the one you have at home (at least my experience). The Linn LP12 is truly a great and musical turntable, one that has, in several forms, given me great pleasure since the mid 80's. While I have owned and sold a multiple mish mosh of high end tables including various Linn configurations, I ALWAYS kept at least 1 Linn LP12. I consider it that good. In the future, I am considering a Basis high end table if I get some bucks, but it will replace the VPI, not the Linn.
Anyways, try to find someone that has a table and use your own ears. The goal is not the table, its to enjoy the music for whatever reason is important to you. Enjoy.