linn sondek tt

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.

Maybe if people could understand when listening to a Linn in basic form it is colored. Many are not set up correctly. Linn arms are prone to bearing damage. Spindle bearing can be damaged easily. The more up grade you lose the Linn sound. For me I up grade to lose the Linn sound while keeping the Linn sound. Sounds crazy but this is a crazy hobby. There is a happy medium in keeping the coloration. This concept is hard for most people to understand. Lp12/ Naim Aro/ Keel/ Cirkus/ Pink Link power supply, will I keep upgrading maybe.

@cd318, Where on earth do you come by the idea I am a dealer,LOL. If I were a dealer, i certainly wouldn’t be wasting my time trying to convince anyone of the merits of gear on forums, particularly those that are tone deaf to my offerings, LMAO.
Since I am a CURRENT owner of the LP12 Radikal D, and have owned one version or another for more than thirty years, I would think that my ’opinion’ of the table might count more than someone who either has a) never owned the table, or b) has never heard one, or c) owned one decades ago and hasn’t since...LOL. Like most of the posters on this thread!
Do you fall into one of those categories...LMAO again!!!!

 @paulcreed  The LP12 is colored..compared to what?? Your Sony CD player!LOL. Spindle bearing can be damaged easily???? What the heck are you doing to that poor table, LOL. Bouncing it around in the back of your truck, like someone else here, LMAO. 
The Linn sound --what is that? Lose the Linn sound and keep the Linn sound...come on sunshine!

I am not sure how often any of the posters go to the orchestra.  I go often.  In all honesty and this is with my ears, a good direct drive sounds more like the real thing than most belt drives.  The Linn LP 12 to my ears, does not sound as much like the real thing.  Its sounds more like a recording of the real thing I guess is a way to put it.  However, the sound a Linn makes although somewhat colored, is very nice to listen to.  The Linn as well as many belt drives do not have the drive and the dynamics of a real orchestra.  That being said, I still like the way the Linn sounds.  Its very pleasing to the ear.  Many times by isolating power supply you can get blacker backgrounds and some direct drives allow for the power supply to be in a separate chassis.  The Linn offers a separate power supply which does allow for pretty black backgrounds, no doubt about it.  If I had one, I would probably keep it and upgrade it.  It is a worthy table for sure.