Nice post Ferrari. I generally agree with everything you said. I also agree that the Linn is a great bargain on the used side as long as you get one of the better tonearms with it. I disagree somewhat about maintenance with a Linn. I suppose it matters to some degree depending upon how often you move it and if you do so inappropriately. Further, there is a great upgrade path and factory support is still there in spades. There is also an aftermarket supplying motors and speed controllers as well as a host of other tweak items. Since 1984 I've only needed to adjust my suspension one time, excepting when I upgraded to the Cirkus bearing. The only time I move my table is to install a new cartridge or like recently when I replaced the tonearm cable. I will admit that I'm now at a place where if I looked at everything in my system the table would be the next logical upgrade. Still, I have no compelling reason to do so. For those looking at buying a used Linn get one as maxed out and new as your budget will allow. I'd be more tempted to pay $2K for a later model with Cirkus, newer style Vahalla and a good tonearm than $1K for an older one which will show some miles on it and the usual upgrades will soon make it exceed the price of the newer one. Just my opinion and I certainly am not taking exception to your comments regarding the 70's era LP12's. I sold my older one prior to buying the one I now own because the older models had such cheesy power supplies and were not upgradeable.
Turntables New vs Used
Thought I would post this as possible food for thought. Have been in this hobby since 1957 and have owned a great many tables both new and used. My first audiophile table was a Dual 1019 and it has evolved from there.
I deal a lot in turntables both new and used, sort of a hobby business. With that in mind in recent years there has been several new tables to hit the market such as those from Music Hall,Project, and so on. Not all but most of the tables in the sub $1,000.00 range are just horrid to say the least. For what one pays in this category,one can find true stellar turntables in the used market.
Used tables from Sota,VPI and Rega will clearly outperform anything from Music Hall, Project and others.
This is not meant to disparage Music Hall or Project or others of the same category. But when one truly looks into what is available in the used market,it becomes readily apparent that the higher end used tables will sonically be superior to the new offerings.
I know for the last few months have had several of the Music Hall and Project tables as well as others come and go through the door.
To be candid there is no black art or voodoo science in turntable design. Physics and Geometry are basic law and are absolute with debate not being possible.
But many of these new tables have seem to have forgotton these basic laws and some of the new tables are pure dreck and I am being kind there.
Turntables from VPI,Sota,Rega,Nottingham,Bluenote,Clearaudio,JA Michell,and Simon Yorke offer tables that firmly place them among the best in the world,with sound engineering principles.
Plus the upgrade path is clearly there for future sonic improvements as materials and science come about.
In addition the price one will pay for one of the used tables make these some of the best bargains for today and tomorrow. However with all things used do make sure of whom you get it from and that you are getting what you pay for.
Don't overlook many of the excellent direct drive used tables from Denon,Kenwood,Yamaha,Technics and others. But do concentrate on thier upper end models forgoing the lower model line up.
All in all the current used market represents far greater value than most of the mass produced new tables.
For instance a Rega P3 is in my opinion is vastly superior to a Music Hall MMF 7 and at less cost, new price to new price. I know I have had both here in recent months. Used the Rega P 3 is a hands down winner in this category.
Both VPI and Sota are easily accessed via phone or e Mail and are most helpful in their product line.
The choice is yours and it is your money.
I deal a lot in turntables both new and used, sort of a hobby business. With that in mind in recent years there has been several new tables to hit the market such as those from Music Hall,Project, and so on. Not all but most of the tables in the sub $1,000.00 range are just horrid to say the least. For what one pays in this category,one can find true stellar turntables in the used market.
Used tables from Sota,VPI and Rega will clearly outperform anything from Music Hall, Project and others.
This is not meant to disparage Music Hall or Project or others of the same category. But when one truly looks into what is available in the used market,it becomes readily apparent that the higher end used tables will sonically be superior to the new offerings.
I know for the last few months have had several of the Music Hall and Project tables as well as others come and go through the door.
To be candid there is no black art or voodoo science in turntable design. Physics and Geometry are basic law and are absolute with debate not being possible.
But many of these new tables have seem to have forgotton these basic laws and some of the new tables are pure dreck and I am being kind there.
Turntables from VPI,Sota,Rega,Nottingham,Bluenote,Clearaudio,JA Michell,and Simon Yorke offer tables that firmly place them among the best in the world,with sound engineering principles.
Plus the upgrade path is clearly there for future sonic improvements as materials and science come about.
In addition the price one will pay for one of the used tables make these some of the best bargains for today and tomorrow. However with all things used do make sure of whom you get it from and that you are getting what you pay for.
Don't overlook many of the excellent direct drive used tables from Denon,Kenwood,Yamaha,Technics and others. But do concentrate on thier upper end models forgoing the lower model line up.
All in all the current used market represents far greater value than most of the mass produced new tables.
For instance a Rega P3 is in my opinion is vastly superior to a Music Hall MMF 7 and at less cost, new price to new price. I know I have had both here in recent months. Used the Rega P 3 is a hands down winner in this category.
Both VPI and Sota are easily accessed via phone or e Mail and are most helpful in their product line.
The choice is yours and it is your money.