Linn Sondek LP-12 happy/un-happy owners

I once heard a $50,000 system and thought the cheap stuff at Best Buy sounded better. - Linnlp 12

Huh?

If you are thinking about a new LP12, no doubt it will be great. If you find a well maitained used unit up to say the Cirkus level, it will also be very, very good.

This is not to say that other turntables might not also be good, or possibly better, but it is doubtful that you will find a better sounding turntable $ for $.

If you find a cherry condition LP12 Cirkus unit with a Itok LVII tonearm and mount a Shelter 901 or better yet, a Shelter 90X, and put comparably deluxe electronics and speakers with the turntable/arm/cartridge you will hear sound that will make you very happy, IMO.

Go for the LP12, a good arm, and a great cartridge and then you can focus on the rest of your system.

In the response to my post, I heard a megabuck system that was so bad, I couldnt stand it. It was comprised of all respected equipment, but the pieces were not compatible. It was truly terrible. The reason I said that, was to reinforce my statement that matching is very very important. Systems have to be matched to get the best combo for your ears. That to me is why it is so difficult to audition and buy analog gear these days. No one ever has a setup similar to the one you have at home (at least my experience). The Linn LP12 is truly a great and musical turntable, one that has, in several forms, given me great pleasure since the mid 80's. While I have owned and sold a multiple mish mosh of high end tables including various Linn configurations, I ALWAYS kept at least 1 Linn LP12. I consider it that good. In the future, I am considering a Basis high end table if I get some bucks, but it will replace the VPI, not the Linn.
Anyways, try to find someone that has a table and use your own ears. The goal is not the table, its to enjoy the music for whatever reason is important to you. Enjoy.

as some say. Kind of like VTA. You can go overboard or you can just enjoy. The charm, look, upgradeability, and THE SOUND make the LP12 unique. I've had mine for a while and consider it the loci of my system.

Hi, You can count me in in as a happy Linn owner. I have an LP12(Anniversary edition) with an Akito arm and Troika cart. Valhalla power supply. As some of the otherposters have pointed out,unless you buy the full out big buck table, you can upgrade the Linn in stages. Right now I doubt if I'd trade it for anything else.
That said all is not perfect with the Linn.The thing is when and if you encounter a problem with the turntable they will fix it and in a relativly timely fashion.
Good quality and service never go out of style.
Dave