Linn LP12 turntable

@robob 

+1

I share your opinion on the Rega... I owned one for a couple years. And agree  the Linn will holds its own... on any tables remotely in the same price category. Of course, that is a very big range given the options. 

Thank you for clarifying.

My point remains… they get you to very different places. Sensors are like DAC chips in audio equipment…. They are a subcomponent of the camera and their overall performance is the result of the overall design… software and other components used to make the camera. So it depends which camera that Sony sensor is in. Zeiss is every much as good a lens as a Leica but very different in how it renders images. I have a Zeiss built for my Leica, I never use it… it produces very analytical looking photos. There are two components that differentiate Leica… the Leica lens and body. So if you contrast say Nikon D800 with a Zeiss lens, with a Leica and Leica lens you have the contrast I explained earlier.. Boulder / Magic vs Sonus Faber / Audio Research. Two very different destinations.

Since you were taking sensors… let me restate my point… a Zeiss lens on a

@yoyoyaya

I have experience with Zeiss and Sony. Different destination... very different destinations. Both are excellent in their own way. But in audio terms Zeiss / Sony is like Boulder / Magico and Leica more like Audio Research or CJ / Sonus Faber. 

@lewm

I am not aware of any Linn tube gear... but to me sounds best with tubes components and is consistent with it sound.

The discussions of the Linn remind me of discussions surrounding Leica M series cameras. Particularly "The Leica Look". I have a full Nikon and Fuji stable and took the plunge a number of years ago and bought a Leica M10. Like high end audio, assessing the character of photos is a highly complex endeavor and because of the high cost of the body and lenses gets those that can’t afford them up in arms.

After a year or so of photography with my M10 I was slowly able to zero in on the differences... subtle but really important differences. The lenses are simply superb and designed to be used wide open... very different. But the foundation of the Leica Look is in the body and is very much similar to many really good audio systems. Leica, Instead of emphasizing the ends of the visual light... the light and dark... they perform exceptionally well in the mid-tones to dark tones... bring incredible nuance to the whole spectrum... bring out the emotion (if you know how to use the camera). It is the same kind emotional connection I get with a really good tube audio (/Linn) system ... which is often denied by folks that cannot afford them.

I was surprised to find once I learned to explain the difference how many Leica owners jumped on and agreed that I had successfully put my finger on the magic.

Yes, the fiddling stories came from decades ago. A lot of that is probably people not knowing what they were doing fiddling. I can only assume what has happened to make Linn the stable platform it is today is closer tolerances and material science. That make sense to me. I have a friend that is a Linn technician. When he finds a table that doesn’t sound right it is gross negligence in assembly... like putting the springs or cupped spring holders upside down. Absolutely stupid stuff. Once set up they are rock solid.

When you have an upgradable table, then you are going to have a lot of people that should not be doing it themselves... doing it themselves.  

@lewm 

You are correct. I was conflating two thoughts. One that the suspension is made to dampen smaller higher frequency vibrations and my experience that rapping on the top with unbelievable force would not result in a skip (or sound) but walking by the turntable would. 

Turntable suspensions are not designed to intercept foot falls, they are designed to isolate from the motor and higher frequency vibration. I used to have a AR which I literally could bang on the cover while playing and the tt would play on without skipping. But walk by it on the suspended floor would cause it to skip. Don't walk heavily by it while playing if it cannot be wall mounted. This does not need to be an issue. 

I have a contemporary LP12 that started as the Selekt (configuration) and I purchased a separate cartridge. From there I incrementally upgraded the tone arm and subclasses... I already owned a top end and better photo stage... Audio Research Reference 3. Outstanding turntable with excellent upgradability.