Thoughts on the Linn LP12 turntable

@no_regrets As can be seen in this thread, member mijostyn has some very absolute thoughts about the Linn LP12. The ONLY thing that I think we can take away from all of his posts that are in fact 'Absolute' is the fact that he has a) never heard a current LP12, even from a decade ago, never mind current.2) Is besotted with his SOTA, which while not a bad table, has nowhere near the resolving power of a current LP12 and 3) has ABSOLUTELY no problem putting his uniformed 2 cents worth into another Linn thread...IMO...:0)

@mijostyn  And you would know this how??? The last time you owned the table was in the 70's...which says it all! 

@zavato Great question! Why is it that mijostyn and others who have to denigrate and naysay the LP12 get butt hurt when folk like their LP12?

Anyone who last owned the LP12 in the 70’s ( if at all!) has zero credibility with me when it comes to their ’expertise’ on the LP12, and particularly when they comment negatively on the updates and/or the current models. Zero.

@no_regrets   +1000

As a former pro studio musician, i totally agree with all that you state about the tonal acuity and the detail retrieval in regards to the sounds of live acoustic music. 

To my ears, the speed accuracy is excellent, particularly with the Radikal D power supply and motor. 

@in-tone For the denigrating folk who think they know what the new Linn LP12 looks like and sounds like, a visit to LinnKasa would be beneficial. I strongly suspect that these naysayers would have a change of heart, although I also seriously doubt we would hear about that on these forums!

As usual the typical naysayers are swinging for the fences..

The current LP12 Klimax model had a good review recently by Herb Reichert in Stereophile. Herb compared it favorably to his Dr.Feickert and others and seemed to feel it was still at the upper echelon of performance!

What one has to consider when reading the posts from the usual suspects is this...when was the last time any of these boys actually owned the LP12 ( if ever!). The answer in almost all cases is either never--or decades ago, or they still own their 70's vintage model and cannot comprehend why it doesn't compete with the current versions! LOL.

I’m a Linn naysayer... I owned this table back in 1975 and I had so many problems with it after my car mechanic and I set it up i could never recommend it, which is why i sold it then. My friend also owns a Linn LP12, he bought his in 1980 and updated it in 2000 to the current model, he also set it up himself and there is no doubt that this table is easily bested by my new Crossley. I love my Crossley and i know for absolute certainty that it sounds way better than the Linn LP12 of any vintage. i have not heard a Linn LP12 since 1980, BUT I know for sure that it is overpriced and like bpoletti stated --exists for sentimental reasons and has no performance.

@photomax Thank you for your points. I pretty much agree with you, except if set up correctly, the current LP12 can actually be set it and forget it, no need to tinker.

Personally, I give no credence to folk who naysay the table and who do not own it, (even worse if they do not own it..and have never heard a current model--like most of the denigrators) or do own it, but have an older table that is nowhere near what the recent models feature and have never had it set up correctly!

@markcooperstein How much credence do you give to the members above who have last owned the Linn LP12 forty years ago and are 100% sure that the current Linn LP12 is a poor choice?

Kind of like saying I owned a Ford Mustang in the 70’s and it really is exactly like the 2022 Ford Mustang, which is a lot more money and not worth the price, because my 70’s Mustang was not a great car.

@cd318   Says the man who doesn't even own a turntable, never mind a Linn!

Keep going, I'm beginning to enjoy this--;0)

@itsjustme  Appropriate moniker, as it really is just you who hears the AR as superior!

@jew16384   LOL, you are so right--the nasty knock off Lynn is exactly as you describe!

@mapman +1

@garylb   +1.

One thing we always hear from the naysayers and denigrators of the Linn is when asked to name another table that has the ability to be updated over time is this...dead silence! LOL.

@pindac  An ongoing upgrade path of the original design and by the same manufacturer??

@pindac I guess you believe that the only reason to update something is because it is inferior to start with? Perhaps, the reason for the updates is because over time Linn has been able to improve the platform due to technological and cost saving benefits? ( not because it was sub-par to begin with) Maybe you believe that stagnation is the way to go when it comes to this hobby...?? So, no, Linn has not produced an inferior base deck from the beginning, just a deck that can be upgraded as time passes and the technology allows..

This is, IMHO, one of the biggest strengths of this platform, it does not restrict you to the performance level that so many other non-upgradeable turntables do ( many of which are far more costly!)..and instead allows for performance improvements as either a) your budget allows and/or b) they come technologically feasible.

@ghdprentice +1

I think one of the issues that Linn has to deal with is the same as what Leica has to deal with, that is they are an old brand that has been lauded for many years. As such, there are folks who, like you stated, have limited experience with the product but at some point in time had a little exposure. These folks are now convinced that the limited experience with the product makes them cognoscenti and able to state denigrating remarks.

I have been impressed with the Linn LP12 since I acquired mine, back in the 80’s. What I have not done is try to compare my original 80’s model with an upgraded model from the present. Instead, I have taken the opportunity to avail myself of the upgrades as they came into budget and realized that these were indeed--upgrades.

Is the Linn LP12 the best table at any price, no i do not think so! I believe Linn’s insistence on attempting to combine an arm of their design with the table (this arm has grown way past its sale by date), has resulted in it being passed over by more advanced arm designs and a few other tables. Albeit, all of the competing designs that i believe are superior are also considerably more expensive.

The basic Linn LP12 platform still holds excellent value and great potential, I am just hoping that Linn can see their way to replace the old war horse Ekos-SE design with something far more SOTA.

@cd318 Seems very obvious that you yourself have not bothered to answer the question that you ask in your third paragraph...namely: ’has anyone bothered to compare the original LP12 to the top of the range 2022 model in order to assess exactly what a gazillion bottomless money pit upgrades have actually achieved?’...

because IF you had done this you would not be posting the drivel that you do!

@cd318  Since it appears you are in the UK, all you have to do is go over to visit Peter Swain at Cymbiosis and he will be only too pleased to show you the numerous LP12's that he has. If you cannot be bothered to do that, and instead want to continue with the drivel posts...well it is saying a lot!

@mijostyn  Yes, we know the last time that you owned the LP12 was in the 70's...and are 100% sure that nothing has changed since then, LOL.

@mijostyn The statement that you apparently have taken apart LP12’s, but last owned one in the 70’s..says even more about the drivel you post in regards to this turntable. My feelings are in no way hurt, but perhaps you are dribbling??---:0)

Could be that some of the older naysayers are in fact dribbling! --;0)

@lewm I am unaware of any table from the past, except for the LP12, that has been continually modified over time to compete with the current crop of ’ambitious efforts from others’. To me, this is one of the biggest benefits of LP12 ownership, the consumer will not have to move away from the basic platform and thereby incur loss of investment in order to update the platform. I don’t think you can say that about very many pieces of gear in this hobby, if any.

I take no personal feelings from this discussion one way or the other, I do happen to believe that if one has no experience with the current product and subject of this thread, then putting in one’s 2 cents is very disingenuous, at best. IMHO.

LOL, this thread has a new life!
The usual suspect is naysaying again, and par for the course has his facts…wrong!!

In the latest Stereophile component ranks, on page 36, the Linn LP12 Klimax model is ranked in class A.
So, @mijostyn …what era of Stereophile are you reading, Lol.

@mijostyn If nothing else, your posts make me laugh, particularly after a hard day. So thanks for that. Get myself a decent turntable, like your Sota?? No thanks; if I’m going to step up in tables it’s going to be to the likes of a Basis Inspiration or TW Acoustics BN..maybe a Brinkmann Balance. These tables are what it takes to sound better than my current LP12 set up. You should consider listening to them, which I am almost 100% sure you have never done, but beware...if you do, be prepared to open the pocketbook!

In the meantime, having had a fellow a’phile friend over tonight for a listen to my ’faulty’ Linn, all I can say is that he is now considering selling his pretty Garrard 301 in a Artisan Fidelity plinth to replace it with a like kind....LP12! ....;0)