Why so many linn lp12s for sale

I think the answer to the question has to do with what you touched on...they are NOT in vogue right now. One of the issues with LP12 ownership...good or bad, depending on your perspective; is the upgradability. While the older models are NOT that competitive with some of the newer gear, the upgrades are there to get the table back to what many believe is SOTA. BUT...here's the issue, those upgrades are VERY pricey. Perhaps too pricey given the current competition. I looked at this situation with my LP12 recently, it needed to be upgraded or Sold. I opted for the upgrade path, and I'm glad that I did. OTOH, with the dealer network shrinking in the US and therefore the number of people who can work on the table shrinking.....it's got to be a thinker.

Dctom, you might want to go out and listen to a top shelf LP12. The Radikal is a MAJOR upgrade over the older Lingo....particularly the older shoe box version.
I also think the Kore or Keel sub chassis makes a nice improvement.
To state that a 2004 model isn't competitive with other more recent TT's isn't surprising, BUT take a Radikal D with Keel or Kore, and I think you may change your mind.

Dctom states: "The LP12 has had its day. I had a couple over a 20 year period. It does need regular attention which is not difficult if you know what to do.
IMO it is now outclassed by better designs."

Which tells me that Dctom hasn't recently heard a top shelf LP12. Plus, LP12's don't need "regular attention"- if they are set-up correctly in the first place.
I think what Moonglum said about the number sold holds a lot of truth as well.
IMHO, a top shelf LP12 is still highly competitive with the best out there.

This constant myth that the LP12 goes out of set-up easily just ain't so folks.
I had my LP12 with Valhalla for nearly 20 years with no issues with regards to set-up. The TT does indeed need to be set-up correctly in the first place, BUT once that is done, it will not wonder off set-up anymore than any other TT.
Now that I have the LP12 updated and correctly set-up again, I am certain that the new set-up will last an equally long time.
BTW, Schubert, too bad that you didn't take advantage of the gift that someone gave you...with a good set-up that table would have eaten your AR-XA alive.

invictus005, have you been looking at what other manufacturer’s are charging in this hobby?? There are numerous tables out there that are far more expensive than a fully outfitted Linn. Many of these TT's fail to hold a candle to the SQ of the Linn.
Look at some of the cabling prices in this hobby...and you claim that the Linn folks are the biggest rip off artists????

@vinny55

hold on there a minute. How many of the other tables that are even 20-25 years old, even have the possibility of replacing a faulty bearing??
Which particular era of Linn are you talking about? The new Cirkus bearing is a pretty major step up over the older bearing design..pity that the old Garrard/ Thorens/Lenco bearing design is well....still the old Garrard/Thorens/Lenco bearing design, lol.