The new Linn LP12 50th Anniversary edition

OP,

I think you are correct… in that at the $60K price point, you can get a better sounding table. Different league ? Well, that would have to be determined in a real intimate comparison with both of us in the same room comparing our preferences and listening.

I guess I was talking in two different ways / observations. My guess is that the 50th anniversary Linn will perform at the ~$45K performance level (judging by the fact that my $35K Linn analog leg performs at that level) … if it performed at the +$45K that would be great. Anyone buying one, would be excited to have this special TT… knowing that they are paying for that. So, plus or minus $15K would not be an important difference. So, if I were in the market for the very best $60K TT… I would know this is not it. But adding in the nostalgia, it would be a good deal.

So, how you look at this is really a question of you value of money, audio and performance. But, I don;t think for someone that really appreciates Linn this is a stretch.

I don't like the new rounded style - it looks cheap.

They should go back to the original classic scandi look - square edges and fluted plinth of yore.

My new Apple M2 is probably better built and likely sounds better.

@ghdprentice   Your post makes sense, except it might assume that there is no direct competition for the Linn 50th at its asking price. Problem is, at least IME, there is competition at and slightly above this price point that will put the Linn to shame. On another forum, i mentioned that I recently heard a super nice Basis Inspiration with the Superarm 9 arm...similar piece point ( albeit the Basis was slightly higher, but not that much) and the Basis was in an entirely different league to any LP12 I have ever heard. The new SME 60 also is at this LP12's price point, I know which one i would entertain, and it is NOT the LP12.

A couple comments. The nouveau riche would not buy a $60K Linn… they wouldn’t get it. They would buy something flashy.

The Linn 50th, is say $15K for nostalgia. There are folks for which this makes sense.

Yes, arbitrarily marking up an high end item has a limit. Let’s say you marked it up to $100K… it would get trashed in the professional journals, and they might sell one or two. Loosing money on the effort, and jeopardizing their reputation. Companies that have stood the test of time do so by being careful and making sure the performance / cost ratio remains positive.

I have had the privilege of buying some “luxury goods”, and the thing I walked away with was that the performance / cost ratio was always much greater than I expected. This is the key to pricing items. For instance I had to decide between another Toyota Avalon or a Lexus. I chose the Lexus. Holy cow, the benefits so outweighed the $10K it wasn’t funny. Luxury goods that do not outperform die… except for watches for some reason.

And then there are the @noromance types that have old stuff and think it doesn’t get better. We all have our journeys. My experience had been that audio components have improved leaps and bounds over the last fifty years. And Linn has put in the engineering effort to bring that to their sound quality. A friend of mine is restoring an old Garrard. I am looking forward to hearing it. My experience to date has been that newer stuff of audiophile quality sounds better. 
 

Who knows, maybe I will be talked into buying an old 1960’s turquoise clock radio because of it;s great sound.

@lalitk   +1

Where Linn get the idea that their Anniversary 50th LP12 equates to a $60K price tag is beyond me? 

However, like always, they probably figure that there are folk with money to burn who will pony up for this model. This kind of segue ways into my thread in the speaker section wherein I asked, is there a price that a manufacturer can ask that will be too much, resulting in zero sales...seems that there is not???

If you can’t afford one, go for it.

To me, there is nothing appealing about this TT that can justifies its tag price of $60K even if I have money to burn! IMHO, there are much better options out there in $60K range or below that are primed for bragging rights 😊

The greatest benefit of a free market is that if you don’t see the value, you don’t have to buy it.  Good luck Linn.  

When will we see it on the cover of Stereophile?

If Linn utilize the new design aesthetic across the whole LP12 line, I think this is actually a very nice update. Hopefully ,the price of a new plinth with rounded corners will not be ridiculous; but knowing Linn's marketing....:0(

Bummer. 

I own a near Klimax LP12

Linn might as well jump on the massive-profit Nouveau Aristocracy bandwagon—which is increasingly prevalent in the audio biz. 

That is just plain ridiculous, but it will sell for sure. There's a long sentimental history for many with that turntable. 

Yep with design help from ex Apple guy Jonathan Ive.

Cool.

I own a near Klimax LP12. If I had been a lifelong LP12 devotee and was thinking of upgrading… I would go for it. if you want the absolutely best performance for the money… this is probably not it.
 

I am retired, and following decades of 70+ hour weeks and incredible stress… why not enjoy the fruits of my labor. Sure, you are paying extra for the cashe…. But for most audiophiles, we are the only ones that will see them… and enjoy. I have a leather bound book about climbing Everest, signed by Sir Edmund Hillary. It makes me feel connected.

For most of my life I have owned high performance, butt-ugly speakers, used cars, and bought Scott TP. I now own two beautiful speakers (that also sound great). Sometimes, it is great to just splurge.