linn sondek tt

 @zavato  Nice post. I do think that if you were in the market today, even though like you stated, there are some good table choices, that the LP12 Magik would still beat out the likes of a VPI Prime.
Certainly it would be no contest between the Prime and an Akurate level LP12. 
Even though your LP12 is on its 21st year, you could easily upgrade it to the Akurate level or beyond, thereby saving a part of your initial investment. This, imo, is what makes this particular table still so attractive in today’s market, because how many other tables can you say that about?

@daveyf  Absolutely true. The ability to upgrade is a positive not a negative. Through the years as technology evolved, Linn incorporated these changes into their TTs. Over time this forward thinking approach has been adopted by many other audio brands from IC cables to electronics. 
   This is one of the beauties of audio. Those who don't have the $$ to purchase reference level components from the start can enjoy incremental improvements over time. When you grow a system this way you really do appreciate the nuances of how EVERYTHING contributes to the sound you hear.
   As with most things in life, this hobby/lifestyle of ours is a journey not an end game. Enjoy the journey and appreciate the music each each and every day for what it is, not what it isn't.
    

Happy New Year Everyone  🎉🎷🎸🥁🎻🎹🎧🔊📀

I had Linns for 20yrs. Went through the upgrade cycle Linn  so cleverly incorporated into  ownership. Compared my dealer set up LP12 to a mitchell orbe fitted with an ekos and Lyra cart, as was my Linn - preferred the Orbe. 
My initial replacement was a sme 20 - more resolving, increased texture in the bass a more neutral sound.
I now have a Kuzma Xl which never ceases to amaze me with it's sense of scale, detail, depth, sound stage, instrument placement etc. The LP12 could never render a convincing sweep of a large orchestra, or hold my attention for hours like the Kuzma.
Obviously the newer LP12s are much improved but it is essentially the same technology.
A friend has a new mid priced LP12 - I prefer his naim digital output on most recordings.

@dctom How many years ago did you own the LP12? What version was it?
Here’s the other issue that seems to crop up frequently, that is the ancillary gear that people listen, or listened to, is very very different from set up to set up....but the table is always the culprit...this makes no sense to me.
Having placed the Kuzma into the same system as the LP12 Klimax, all who heard the system preferred the Linn....that day and with the same ancillary gear and same room....how many can say that about the listening experience that they had...can you dctom?