linn sondek tt

Just discovered this thread and thought I’d chime in.  

I’ve had an LP12 for (at least) 25 years.  The motor recently conked out and I was going to use this as an opportunity to get my Cirkus/Ekos/Linto/Lingo version keeled and radikalized - until I recently went to an audio show and heard a Palmer 2.5/Origami arm which caused me to consider changing direction. (BTW, none of the other “super turntables” I heard at the show caused the same reaction). Anyway, I started a thread on this forum to solicit advice about which direction to go, and daveyf was kind enough to share his thoughts.  

The thought I would like to share on this thread is that I never had a problem with the Linn the whole time I had it, and it got a lot of use! It never went “out of tune” or got sluggish, unfocused, etc. Quite the contrary, it has been a problem-free, consistently musical joy to use, so I am always surprised to read that others find it to be finicky and/or unreliable. 

I still haven’t decided whether to go with the Palmer or an upgraded Linn, but it’s an awfully nice problem to have, and I’m pretty sure  that I’m in a win-win situation.

@latenitecity. Thank you for sharing that. Unfortunately, on this thread and many others about the LP12; there are folks who unlike you, have never owned a LP12, or who did decades ago...and yet these very same folks are far more experienced in the ownership and understanding of how this table works and sounds, than the both of us.

I've had my LP12 for around 30yrs.. upgraded along to the way to Lingo, Cirkus and Naim Aro... currently using a vintage Grace F9 Ruby MM cart.. Makes  beautiful music.. I've heard many expensive TT over the years.. never felt the urge to upgrade. For me the LP12 is a keeper. 

@daveyf , with respect, do you really believe that your opinions count as much as those of previous owners, given that you as a dealer have a financial interest in supporting this turntable come what may?

Furthermore, its funny you also suggest Linn should improve the deck further to keep it competitive. Remember it's easily been the most hyped product in the entire history of domestic audio since it's rather dubious origins. So surely all users gave a right to expect all iterations of it to sound reasonable?

As for Linn's current marketing direction, their entire history is littered with contradictory claims. Trust them to move away from vinyl when others are moving back. Ivor was no great innovator, more of a marketing genius. His son has a near impossible job in his hands. Poisoned chalice maybe? 

Perhaps he should remember that as long as vinyl remains a valid way to sidestep the so-called loudness wars afflicting digital it will always have a place in serious audio.

cd318

... it's easily been the most hyped product in the entire history of domestic audio since it's rather dubious origins.

That's just silly. If you're talking about over-hyped audio products, it's tough to top the Bose 901s. On the other hand, the Linn LP12 still delivers excellent performance, even if it's not to your taste. Neither does the Linn have "dubious origins." In fact, it's especially easy to trace its lineage, so I'm not sure what your point is. One thing for certain: there are many people who have a distaste for the LP12. It's a polarizing product. I've never understood why, even though it's not my preference either.