Why so many linn lp12s for sale

I will second the notion that LP 12 upgrades are costly. My LP 12 is basically year 2000 top spec. As much as I would like a Keel at its price it's not happening.

If I thought I was going to put serious $ into a table, I can understand the idea of getting a new table for the cost of various LP 12 upgrades-

What would it cost me to upgrade to an Ekos SE, Kandid, Keel and Radikal? Got to be at least $10k. You can buy a lot of table arm cartridge for that $

After 22 years I got rid of mine. No USA support to speak of, better and cheaper options, two companies in the USA making as good or better products willing to support their turntables regardless of whether you are the original owner or not, etc…

Still the Linn / Naim / ProAc sound, when all was working properly was unique.

Linn has gone the same route as Naim and ProAc. A very expensive boutique company rather than the "common man's" audio manufacturer that they once were.

That is a personal observation and not intended to disparage anyones choice of brand loyalty.

The last comment is on the mark. I bought my LP 12 16 years ago from a small retailer who is still in business. His store is even smaller now, and he's also 16 years older. At some point he's going to retire and then the store will be gone. What then? There will be a time that the LP12 will be an unsupported product. At that point, hello VPI?

I run a 401 but kept my LP12/Ittok as a standby. However, the 401 is a lot better and the Linn gets little play. The ROI is higher with the idler.

Why are there so many LP12's for sale? Could it be that sometimes the grass looks greener on the other side... that sometimes people feel that the LP12 is such an old technology that the new tables out there just simply must be better... maybe sometimes the different presentation of other tables can be mistaken as being better instead of just being different.

The LP12 is still a very viable table. Yes, the Linn upgrades are very expensive but they keep the LP12 competitive with the very best out there.

For those of you who are not aware, there is a company called the Funk Firm, formally known as Pink Triangle, who has been making excellent modifications/upgrades for the LP12 for decades. What's funny is that the man behind Pink Triangle/Funk Firm came up with the upgraded DC motor/power supply, sub chassis/ top plate mod's years ago….all the while Linn was dismissing it….now Linn has finally come around to the sonic merits brought by these changes. The Funk Firm has these mods/upgrades at very attractive pricing compared to that of Linn and they do an excellent job. Just something to keep in mind. And no, I have no connection with the Funk Firm other than being a very happy customer.

As to having no dealer support for the LP12 anymore…..There are still experts around that deal with the LP12…but yes, they are few in numbers. But you all need to keep in mind that with so many consumers buying via internet instead of through your brick and mortar stores, there will be less and less dealer support for all audio products, not just for the LP12.

Having said that….setting up the LP12 is not rocket science. All it takes is an understanding of the principles behind the table and a lot of patience in the beginning, but after a while it becomes second hand. Once the table is set up properly it STAYS set up for a very long time.

The way I see it, now is a fantastic time to score some nice LP12's. I love my LP12. It's been modded with the Pink Triangle DC Motor/ 12V SLA Battery power supply/ top plate, etc and uses the Naim ARO tone arm and a Benz Ruby ZH zebra wood moving coil cartridge. There are times when I get tempted to check out the "latest and greatest" tables out there, but I have to admit that this rig of mine really does an excellent job of communicating the musical message, engaging your emotions, and still gives me plenty of goosebumps when I listen to it.

In any event, there are a lot of great sounding tables out there for you to use and enjoy your vinyl collection with….but don't sell the LP12 short…it is a very capable spinner and once you become more adept and confident with setting it up…it will become a table that you'll have a special bond with.