Linn LP-12 still competitive with the very best?

Redhunter,

I have an old Goldring cart of some kind on my old Dual 1264 on my second 2 channel a/v system and it too sounds really good in particular with the phono stage on the vintage Yamaha cr-420 receiver I have been using of late. Prior to the Yammy, when used with built in Tandberg and NAD phono stages, I always thought of it as just OK. Synergy was everything in this particular case. IT absolutely sings like never before now and though it sounds different, I find it equally enjoyable in its own way as the Axis/Denon combo in my main rig.

Schipo, The last time I checked, we live in a free enterprise society(at least in the free world)
What that means is you have the option to buy a product or not to buy! Linn is not putting a gun to anyone's head making them buy their turntable.
Based on the responses you've read on this forum thread, you should have by now gathered that people who buy linn tables and keep them do so because they like the way they sound, which is the bottom line in any audio purchase. Folks are not interested in whether or not its the latest technology.
If that were the case, tube amp sales would not be flourishing and have been doing so for the last 10-15 yrs.
Again, its old antiquated technology but folks that like the tube amp sound buy them for that reason period!!
Folks that buy a linn table from a reputable dealer I'm sure have the opportunity to demo it and if they don't like it they can bring it back. I don't consider that an unfair marketing advantage.
Finally, if you don't like linn tables(which is obvious) that's fine but what's not fine is you trying to make everyone else not like them just because you don't.
Life is about options and everyone has the option to buy whatever they want. And please don't talk about arrogance because anyone who has read your responses surely can see who is exuding arrogance.

Schipo wrote, 2-16-09
"...Linn's unfair marketing advantage in the UK, by not allowing their table to be compared with other's..."

Just wondering how they are able to do this? How can they keep ANYONE from making comparisons?

I must not understand this statement correctly...

By not allowing dealers to carry better tables to be compared to side by side is that so hard to understand? Linns been using the same marketing ploy using the follow the tune bs. Do you really believe if you had the choice of side by side comparison between a Goldmund or a Linn, you would have chosen the Linn. I dumped my linn in 86 after hearing the Goldmund studio at Lyric HiFi.

Lrsky
Actually it was me that made the statement regarding linns policy.
My nearest audio dealer here in the UK is Billy Vee sound systems,Take a look at thier website and you will understand a little more about my comments.
Then take a look at Walrus systems who are a genuine analogue shop for turntable lovers,You will see no Linns here because Linn will not want to be there and they wouldn't want Linns anyway?
The vast majority of audio retailers in the uk are just like Billy Vee.
I do not hate the LP12,I used various incantations of it over a five year period and am fully aware of its strengths and its weaknesses.
But I do hate the marketing machine that has led many people down an expensive path that ultimately wasnt the path that was for them.