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why do people think the LINN LP 12 is so superior to the Thorens (say 165 super)

I don't think LINN people are snobs, but I think they are very passionate about their TTs and are convinced that what they own is the better of the two.

AR invented the 3 point suspension + belt system, Thorens ran with it, then LINN saw it and made their own tweeks in scotland. 

I happen to own a Thorens 160td that I picked up for $50 which freed up some $$ to play with it, A little dampening here, a thicker bottom plate there, Cone feet, Sumuko pearl stylus. To me, it sounds great. 

When my LINN-owning friends visit, they make comments like "when are you going to step up and buy a LINN?"

Now maybe they are just joking around, like the chevy owner razzing the ford owner, but I don't think so. I think they really believe LINN is superior. 

Why?
robvolz

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,152 posts
 
The Linn is not superior in any way. I have owned two of them. There was a time when it was the best turntable you could buy. It developed a following and the mythology blossomed around it. None of it is deserved. All it is is an upgrade AR XA. Ed Villchur should get all the credit for the design.  It is old hat in a big way. The "upgrades" are beyond silly but, Linn made a pile off the LP12 and jumpstarted an entire company off it. Good for them. 
The Thorens is just as good and a much better value. 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,152 posts
 
If it is such a great turntable why all the continual upgrades? The Linn is an overpriced cheesy piece of very old technology. It has been done way better since 1980. We old audiophiles who were the initial Linn buyers moved on to Sota and then Basis and SME, designs that are from every angle superior. We got rid of the Linns creating a huge used market. Now you could get one cheap and hype the mythology even more, just like old idler drives. The Linn is a better turntable than those old idler drives as long as it is placed on a rock solid situation and treated gingerly but it will never compete with turntables from the above three manufacturers. 
In a blinded test with the same cartridge in both turntables none of you would be able to tell the difference between the Thorens and the Linn, none of you. You can buy the Thorens for much less and then you don't have to spend a fortune buying upgrades. It does not need any.
If you want to work on something mechanical buy an old 911. They are a lot more fun than an LP12. 
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