Linn LP12 turntable

Ha is right! 8 windows, 5 pairs of unused speakers, an unused sub and a 75”’TV between my mains when playing 2 channels. Still sounds great… a wonder! I do have multiple herbies dots on all my windows. 😏 

@noromance That’s what I was thinking, but seems to good to be true. Got to be an issue… or is that near a fair price. The dealer (I trust) seems to think at that price, it will sell in a week. At $4,00, a month. 

@tablejockey Yes, I read a long forum on audiogon with mud slinging both ways. Seems to be no middle ground. Short term I would mount my ML & keep my Aria, although after TT replacement, the Aria would be next to go. The fact that you included it with other great turntables is very intriguing… how many great turntables can be had for $2,400. 

@grislybutter Great video… with a surprise ending… a P10, the table I had planned to purchase. 🤔

@jc4659 The nearest Linn dealer is about 3 hours away. 

@theo The TT will be installed in a second floor room (bonus room). I have had very limited issues with foot falls with my current setup.
Not looking to be more susceptible to foot falls. Will I be?  
Not sure what ‘environmental influence’ is. 
@tomic601 Don’t think I need a spring suspension, but it certainly has one. Not sure if that is good or bad… probably bad as I don’t know of a modern table that has that design. 

Thanks everyone. Some answers came back on age and condition:

DOM: early 2000’s

Upgrades: New trampoline, tone arm, newer motors control board

Power supply / tone arm: I don’t honestly remember, but I’ll get the answer.

Condition: Spectacular condition in my opinion

Recently serviced: Steve did the motor control board(primary service requirement) literally 3 weeks ago when the client decided to sell.

Looks like my local dealer has been performing the service

Why selling: Upgraded to VPI Avenger with 2 12” Fatboy tone arms. One with a Hana Umami Red, one with a Clear Audio Charisma Moving Magnet. All in it was around $22,000

Are there any other upgrades that are missing?

Other than the retro look (not a fan… looks like my old Dual 1229)… this TT looks like a fun buy.

@jonwolfpell A very strong recommendation. Thanks
But not sure what listening at the dealer might do. They have my speakers, but a different cartridge, electronics & room acoustics. Would that not be too many variables?

@lewm A very good question. And the suspension design is very similar to the old AR, which they (supposedly) drove a nail into the plinth with no skipping (don’t believe that… but that’s the story). 

BTW, where are all the LP12 bashers?? If I make this purchase & then you come out… that would not be good…

Thanks again everyone. Great information, particularly on upgrade costs and upgrade recommendations. The included upgrades named were provided by the salesman (actually the store manager), about midnight on Saturday by memory, probably over a glass of wine or two.
Will be able to get more information on Tuesday when they reopen and I can see it and perhaps from the TT owner. I do believe they will allow a trial. 
I looked at the various upgrades:

Trampoline - $317 included

Tone Arm? - Akito $2880  Arko $4550  Ekos $6324 which one was added?

Newer motors control board - not sure what this is… psu motor?

Karousal bearing? $1,130 I would think included, but will find out

Power supply? Lingo PS $2,200 Will find out  

Kore sub chassis? $1,395 Will find out. 

Will also find if is post 2010… probably not, but possible. 
If the recommended upgrades are included, I think this is a no brainer. If not and the price + upgrades gets in the P10 range, I will probably go that route. Thank you again. 

Thanks, in either case, wall mounting is not possible, every inch of space is spoken for.
As far as foot faults are concerned, I don’t believe that will be an issue. The system is on the opposite wall from the entry door & it has only been an issue changing the record, stepping heavily when right next to the turntable. 
Assuming the right options are installed, and they support a trial, I will know quickly if that is a problem. 

@ericba Very good! Thanks 

@sealegs Even my lowly Pro-ject (they get no respect) teamed with the Hana ML &  Rega Aria easily bests my Aurender - Qutest - Qobuz digital combo & kills my CD - Qutest digital combo. Hopefully the LP12 widens that gap further…

@tablejockey Your definition of ‘cheap out’ and mine are obviously different. Almost all audio components can be bettered regardless of price, with diminishing returns. I have been on an upgrade path with many recent additions. Over the last 2 months I upgraded my amp (LSA > Moon) & preamp (Rogue > BHK)… both significant upgrades to sound. My turntable is next. This Linn appears to be great addition. I don’t know yet what cart is installed on the LP12, but I understand it has about 300 hours left on it. I will either leave it on or swap to my Hana ML. Follow on plans in order of focus:

DAC: Qutest > ?

Phono Stage: Rega Aria  > ?

Cart: Hana ML > Unami Red or Blue assuming a Hana trade in program

I am more constrained by space than by funds, but by choice, my funds are not unlimited. I much prefer price performance, and like our new president, the ‘art of the deal’.
If I buy this TT, over the last 2 months I will have purchased over $25K worth of outstanding audio for only $8.5K. The LP12 is not my first choice, but it’s price performance appears to be excellent. 
I would be happy to hear recommendations for any follow on purchases. Thanks 

 

Attached is the note I sent to my dealer. I think I covered all your recommendations. 

Jon, thanks! I did not expect a reply on your day off. Based upon my research, if the right options are installed it is a great buy. 

Those options are: 

 -Karousel bearing

- At least a lingo PS… Lingo 3 preferred. If it still has the Valhalla power supply, it is not compatible with the new Karousel bearing. Most people believe the Karousel bearing is the most important upgrade. 

- Kore sub chassis 

It would also be helpful to know the new tonearm & DOM. 

Four other question:

1. is the dust cover permanently attached, or is it removable. Removability is important based upon placement. Or it the Rega or Mitchell covers fit, that would be ideal. 

2. Would you allow me to try it at home, not only for sound, but understand it is prone to foot falls, although the new trampoline helps with that. 

3. I know the cartridge has a lot of hours on it, but what cartridge is it. 

4. You are not a Linn dealer but it appears you have done the service on this TT. From my discussions, it appears the skill of the technician is crucial. 

This could be an excellent purchase but I don’t want to fall into the Linn ‘money pit’.  

The attached is my audiogon discussion on the Linn. I do Audiogon forum discussions on all my audio purchases. 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/linn-lp12-turntable#2763404

You have been excellent! Thank you for bringing this Linn to my attention. See you Tuesday. Thanks!

@elliottbnewcombjr Very good point… food for thought.
I have never actually seen one in person. Perhaps I will be excited with its appearance. In pictures as I stated it looks like my old Dual, but I think the details and quality components will excite me. BTW, I had the V15 Tll improved on my Dual. 
I also may buy the Linn piano black plinth to change the retro walnut look. Someone on this thread stated the new plinth actually improved his sound, so a potential win/win… for an additional $1,500 😒
Regardless, I will be excited if it sounds as good as most believe. Thanks!

@elliottbnewcombjr Beautiful tone arm! Now that deck is retro!

@lewm Fun fact!

OK, false alarm. The Sondek LP12 at my local dealer was too good to be true. Not sure of the DOM, but it is a Valhalla/Ittock model, with a 70% worn Dynavector XX-2A. The upgrades were that the local dealer rebuilt the Valhalla power supply & installed the trampoline, so no Karousel bearing, Lingo PS nor Kore arm board. 

The only good news is Audio Advice was a Linn dealer and the technician is well trained and experienced & the price is now $2,200. It probably is a reasonable price, but no steal. I think it is a pass.

Thank you for all your well informed advice! It’s been fun learning about the LP12.

@mylogic 

Thanks, I did read & even posted to that thread. My ears tell me things are pretty good. I think I will stay pat for a while. Perhaps I am in my Valhalla. 🤔

@tomic601 Jon is the Raleigh store manager at Audio Advice… he is a great guy!

@lewm The 1200G is a great deck.

No final decision yet… am staying pat, for now, but back to leaning P10. Love the look, the simplicity and the reviews. Also, my TT is located on the second shelf (not the top…center speaker is there). A removable dust cover and low profile is essential. If i were to ’cheap out’ 😏 (sorry I couldn’t resist @tablejockey) I would buy a P8, a very good price performer.

@richardbrand 

Thanks for your recommendation. 2 issues… potentially shortcomings on my part… but that is me. 
1. I like perfect. I have bought some used audio pieces and even some antiques. The audio pieces were like new… mint & the antiques were in excellent condition. A 20;year old turntable could be in great condition… mine would… but this one wasn’t… to me. 
2. I would immediately start thinking it could be better, and go down the upgrade rabbit hole. So just under $7k all in. That would potentially be ok, if this TT was closer to perfect & had a better tonearm.  
To someone else, where only sound matters, this may be a good deal, but doesn’t work for me. Thanks!

@lewm It is above the shelf were my current turntable sits.
Unless I am missing something, other than inconvenience, I am not sure why that is a problem. It is not used and just a hunk of wood when I play vinyl. The center is only on during HT use.

You can see my layout on my profile. 

@daveyf 

I also wondered how they got to $14k. Perhaps sales exaggeration, perhaps honest mistake. Will continue to look at the Linn. Thanks 

@panzrwagn Agreed. But I am not a TT collector. I stated earlier the reasons this particular TT was a no go, but a newer LP12 could be… better shape… better arm.

@awise1961 A very interesting observation, in that you own both but prefer your LP12 over your P10. If you don’t mind sharing, why specifically does your LP12 bring you more joy?

@newton_john Would love to see before & after. Thanks!

@awise1961 Very nice system, turntables & cartridges!! I don’t have the power supply issues, but nice to know I could hide the Lingo! Sounds like I could not go wrong either way. Thanks!

@gordon 

I will jump on it… not!
9k plinth… incredible! Once again… not!
Their profit margins must be outrageous. 

There is an engraved with Ivor Tiefenbrun signature 25 year anniversary edition SME tonearm, Majik power supply on eBay for just over $4k. I can only imagine the long term depreciation of this 50 year anniversary model. 
I am not sure why, but the internal phono stage for both the 50th anniversary & Klimax does Analog to digital conversions. I am sure they have their reasons, but not something I would ever want… regardless of how well done, turntables & phono stages should be pure analog IMHO. 

@newton_john Thanks for the pictures. The piano black looks great!

Unfortunate how LP12 threads seem to degrade. Great discussion prior. 

I learned a lot about the iconic Linn LP12! If I can find one at the right price /.condition / options I will join your ranks, or may buy a new Majik. I think I need to own a product that generates so much emotion. Thanks you!

@chrisoshea You may be right, or I could buy a new LP12 base deck, lingo 4 & maybe a Audio Origami tonearm & have perfect. 

@daveyf 

… because of racism against the owners. LOL hilarious 😏

Ok, now this thread has gone south.
It is common in the US to blame everything on racism & thought this comment was a reference to that. I am done with this thread.

I started out by saying I knew nothing about the Linn LP12, let alone its founders religion or culture. 

I did a little research and can’t find your reference to racism towards Linn, although i am sure it is there. I did find that Ivor was Jewish. His family fled from Austria to Scotland in 1939 (I can only imagine). 

Antisemitism is real and wrong on so many levels. But IMHO I have to agree with Lewm when he said “I think it is a reach to connect LP12 criticism with anti-semitism. There's enough of the real thing going around already.”

Regardless, my apologies for making light of something that is real to you and others.