Linn Tables. Where to start? Please Help

Hi-Fi News and Record review did a marvelous article a few years back that gave a comprehensive history of the LP12 and showed serial numbers, the corresponding manufacturing dates and the changes made to the design. It is quite useful.

Thanks Viridian for the reference--see how useful your post was, I'm not even the gentleman who asked for help!

Drken, the great advantage of a used Linn LP12 Sondek (we are not talking about the Basic or the Axis, which were less-costly models) is that with factory kits, your Linn technician can upgrade it to very nearly the level of today's model.

You can therefore buy an LP12 from even the first production run and improve it step-by-step, as finances permit, learning a lot on the way and winding up with something very cool even if you're not a collector of vintage gear.

That makes the LP12 a safe bet for almost everyone. However as you hear more vinyl setups, your ears grow more sophisticated and you begin to notice that every turntable has a characteristic sound and the Sondek is no exception. It is most notable for its energy and drive, not to say it is a slouch in other departments, and if you stay with the hobby you may learn to prefer other tables eventually. That moment is, however, a long way down the road.

Best of luck!

linn tables (there is only one at present, the LP-12, which is/was their top-of-the-line), are good, and are really known for their musicality despite being belt-drive. a few caveats: they are finicky to set up and maintain, they are subject to quite a few factory and non-factory (naim, cetech, origin live to name a few) upgrades/mods which makes for $$$ down the road depending on the options you choose from the outset and the degree of "upgrade-itis" you are prone to, and are fairly costly if purchased new (IMHO). if you are determined to own an LP-12, buy used, make sure you have access to a technician who can properly set up/maintain the deck, and i would advise starting with something along the lines of a valhalla power supply and Ittok LVII tonearm (have the bearings checked!). this would require a modest outlay (by linn standards) to get you up and running. check the linn website, there may be good info there, and check the archives of the audiogon chat threads as i'm sure there are more than a few opinions/perspectives here as well. good luck in your search!

P.S. there was also a bearing upgrade (can't recall the designation) that is also a recommended prerequisite. it resulted in a much more neutral and less bass-bloated sound (linn had been knows for a "fat-bottomed" sonic signature and this was addressed in this particular factory upgrade).