Even a minimally maintained LP12 (clean, properly lubricated bearing; good belt; balanced suspension; correct setup at purchase; stable, level platform or rack) will perform over a TD166. The LP12 suspension does tend to drift away from optimum, though, so that a recently set-up unit sounds livelier and more dynamic than the same unit a year later.
What happens is that the springs settle in and relax a bit too much, and they need to be turned to a new position where they have a bit more tension. This is a finicky business because getting one spring right can throw the others off. So yes, an LP12 wants you to know a competent setup man, but the rewards are there if you do.
A yearly going-over should suffice. Constant tweaking? Not unless you're very fussy indeed.
What happens is that the springs settle in and relax a bit too much, and they need to be turned to a new position where they have a bit more tension. This is a finicky business because getting one spring right can throw the others off. So yes, an LP12 wants you to know a competent setup man, but the rewards are there if you do.
A yearly going-over should suffice. Constant tweaking? Not unless you're very fussy indeed.