Linn Audio

You could say something similar of Meridian--how many discussions here?  I think both of them lost their way a while back, at least w.r.t. the US market.

Linn LP12 imo is considered a high end turntable or at least a very good quality turntable. I was told the Linn LP12 was the first high end turntable when it was first introduced in 1973. I wouldn't know myself cause I was only 2 yrs old in 1973. 

IMO the source is the most important component in the chain. What's lost early in the signal chain cannot be recovered. Speakers are also important too. Everything else in between are also equally important imo. 

I bought my new LP12 in 1977 c/w a Rega arm and can't remember the cartridge. it was a chunk of change as I was just starting college. I could not stretch to the Grace/Supex? combo. I still have the LP12 with the Ittok/Asak in the UK as well as the Isobarik DMS speakers. I dread to think how many changes/upgrades I would be behind If I ever chose to ship it over here.

You should give a listen to the latest generation of the Linn Klimax DS/DSM with Katalyst DAC architecture. This new model just came out last year. Sounded quite a bit better than the previous generation of Klimax DS/DSM. It isn’t cheap I think it retails for $30k new.
But literally you will have to step up to something like the MSB Reference or Select ll DAC or something like the DCS Vivaldi full stacks or the Esoteric Grandioso stacks to better it.

I used to have the LP12 Klimax version turntable with Ekos SE titanium tonearm, Kandid mc cartridge, Trampolin baseboard, Keel sub chassis, Klimax Radikal PSU & Urika phonostage (previous model). IMO they sounded very good in my all Linn Klimax setup and system. Then when I upgraded to the Audio Research Ref 10 linestage preamp + D’Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps (2 pairs) + Wilson Audio Alexx speakers for a little while I was still using the Linn LP12 Klimax version turntable and they sounded great together until late last year when I upgraded to the Kronos Pro turntable with a 12" Black Beauty tonearm, PC-1 Air Tight Supreme mc cartridge, discrete class A linear PSU & Audio Research Ref 10 phonostage. These are indeed better than my previous Linn LP12 Klimax version turntable but are at completely different price points, thus not a fair comparison to begin with.

Recently my setup and system has changed and evolved again since then.
I got rid of the ARC Ref 10 linestage pre, D’Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps and the Wilson Audio Alexx about 4 months ago and decided to upgrade to something better and different.

I never liked Linn's tactics with regards to how they used to treat the dealers. The dealers had to sell certain gear that would not compete with the Linn gear. I know this because I was friends with a dealer in London back in the early 90's. You'd never find a shop that you could audition a Linn TT against a Roksan, Pink Triangle or Michell. Soured my taste for their gear from then on.