Dear Moses189,
I own a Linn LP12 that I have upgraded three times during the last five years, taking it from a simple Rega RB300 arm and Valhalla power supply to an RB300 with a Lingo II power supply and a Kore subchassis. Finally, I upgraded to a full-blown LP12 “Klimax” turntable with a Woodsong Wenge plinth, Trampolin II bottom plate, Keel subchassis, Ekos SE arm, Cirkus bearing and the Radikal power supply and DC motor. All of the above used a Koetsu Urushi Vermilion cartridge. I benchmarked against a more expensive table, a Spiral Groove SG1.1 with Triplanar VII uII tonearm and the same Koetsu. The first iteration of the Linn was OK. The second was quite good. The third was slightly preferable to my Spiral Groove setup, though there were trade offs. (The Spiral Groove was quieter and had fuller and more defined low bass. The LP12 was more “organic” and involving, less dry.)
So my experience tells me that there is not one single “Linn LP12” but that there are many variations of arms, subchassis, cartridges, power supplies, bearings and even tables or racks beneath a Linn, each of which makes a difference. While I have not owned any VPI turntables, I have heard several and think that they are excellent. I have also owned Rega, Avid, Michell, Roksan, AR and even B&O turntables long ago. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. No one, including (maybe especially) me, can tell you what is right for you. Upgrading my Linn was right for me and I have been very happy with it, though I spent more than your budget to arrive at my set up.
I would advise making sure that the Linn dealer with whom you are dealing is very experienced in working on Linns. They require skilled set up though once set up, most Linns stay pretty well set up for years.
Do what you can to listen to an LP12 set up as the dealer proposes to hear if you like its sound. Listen to other turntables, too. $6K to $7K gives you a fair number of alternatives whether fixing up your LP12 or moving on to something else. Unfortunately, the LP12 is a polarizing turntable, maybe due in large part to Linn’s founder, Ivor Tiefenbrun’s, tendency to ruffle feathers for the last 45 years. Pay less attention to what people say here and more what you hear - and want to hear - when you listen to turntables.
I own a Linn LP12 that I have upgraded three times during the last five years, taking it from a simple Rega RB300 arm and Valhalla power supply to an RB300 with a Lingo II power supply and a Kore subchassis. Finally, I upgraded to a full-blown LP12 “Klimax” turntable with a Woodsong Wenge plinth, Trampolin II bottom plate, Keel subchassis, Ekos SE arm, Cirkus bearing and the Radikal power supply and DC motor. All of the above used a Koetsu Urushi Vermilion cartridge. I benchmarked against a more expensive table, a Spiral Groove SG1.1 with Triplanar VII uII tonearm and the same Koetsu. The first iteration of the Linn was OK. The second was quite good. The third was slightly preferable to my Spiral Groove setup, though there were trade offs. (The Spiral Groove was quieter and had fuller and more defined low bass. The LP12 was more “organic” and involving, less dry.)
So my experience tells me that there is not one single “Linn LP12” but that there are many variations of arms, subchassis, cartridges, power supplies, bearings and even tables or racks beneath a Linn, each of which makes a difference. While I have not owned any VPI turntables, I have heard several and think that they are excellent. I have also owned Rega, Avid, Michell, Roksan, AR and even B&O turntables long ago. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. No one, including (maybe especially) me, can tell you what is right for you. Upgrading my Linn was right for me and I have been very happy with it, though I spent more than your budget to arrive at my set up.
I would advise making sure that the Linn dealer with whom you are dealing is very experienced in working on Linns. They require skilled set up though once set up, most Linns stay pretty well set up for years.
Do what you can to listen to an LP12 set up as the dealer proposes to hear if you like its sound. Listen to other turntables, too. $6K to $7K gives you a fair number of alternatives whether fixing up your LP12 or moving on to something else. Unfortunately, the LP12 is a polarizing turntable, maybe due in large part to Linn’s founder, Ivor Tiefenbrun’s, tendency to ruffle feathers for the last 45 years. Pay less attention to what people say here and more what you hear - and want to hear - when you listen to turntables.