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Is the "standard" Linn Sondek LP-12 surpassed by newer turntable brands and designs??

More than ever, the infamous Linn Sondek LP12 turntables appear for sale on Audiogon. The price of each piece varying based on the age, condition, and how many authorized factory upgrades have been done .

The question is: Is the "standard" ( without any upgrades) Linn LP-12  outperformed by newer brand turntable designs??  It seems to be getting long in the tooth as a viable high end turntable

Can someone explain what made the sound quality of this table so special and so sought after??  Is  a USED standard Linn LP-12. really worth the money??   Thanks 

sunnyjim
varyat's avatar
varyat
82 posts
 
The Radikal fundamentally changes the LP12 to a more modern sounding TT, i.e. more accurate. The Cirkus bearing  and Kore subchasis upgrades also follows along this same path. All are fantastic upgrades and imo should be considered prior to tonearm or cartridge upgrades.
If you like what an LP12 does then these upgrades make perfect sense.
The "super" TT's you mention are different altogether and I suspect will have a very different sound signature. 

daveyf's avatar
daveyf
1,174 posts
 
varyat-----+1

noromance, see varyat's reply above. What is the point of comparing a 80's LP12 to a 60's Garrard?? I understand that some people like the sound of an idler drive....that's their preference; however, the sound of the current idler drive TT's is fundamentally the same as it has ever been, IMHO..while the sound of the LP12 has drastically changed over the years. 

moonglum
605 posts
 

SunnyJim said:

"The question is: Is the "standard" ( without any upgrades) Linn LP-12  outperformed by newer brand turntable designs?? It seems to be getting long in the tooth as a viable high end turntable".


Davey has made an important point. If the OP considers an LP12 "long in the tooth", how much more so a 1960s Garrard ;^)


To extend the spectrum of views on the 401 consider the opinion of experienced user "Paskinn" (scroll down to the bottom of the page) :

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?s=5af14203b2e7b0f5869af666496c6de4&t=122182&am...

Now you have a balanced profile Jim, the Good, the Bad & the Ugly ;^)

When it comes to turntables they all sound different which means that they are all (technically) inaccurate.... :(

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