The Linn LP12 Gramophone.

[Terry Robinson]

Class: the question for to-day is: Is the Linn LP12 gramophone the most over-rated gramophone ever? Discuss.

Cheers,

Terry.

[avole]

No. It's a really good turntable by any standards.

[cafe latte]

Good advertising made Linn, but I have to agree it is not really a very good TT. The new one is great, but no way worth 14 grand. There are far far cheaper solutions to the same ends.
CL

[JaS]

The LP12 has been surpassed by the SL1200 as most hyped deck That's not saying that aren't both well made, decent decks in their own right, but for hype they are unsurpassed.

Regards,
JaS

[avole]

Good advertising made Linn, but I have to agree it is not really a very good TT. The new one is great, but no way worth 14 grand. There are far far cheaper solutions to the same ends.
CL

Indeed. The Linn Majik at £2350 springs to mind

The top Linn is now no longer high end, it's a turntable designed for the mega rich. There are many, many other brands who target the same market - the SME 30 comes in at a cool £20,000 with all the options.

[goatbreath]

I own one and I really think it gets loads of information out.It has many strengths.It also has a few weaknesses..The bass isn't as good as my damped Michell Mycro..The upgrade to get this bass probably cost s more than the Mycro did new..
But is it a way of ripping people off through a never ending upgrade ladder..Yes..
Are the upgrades over priced,,totally..Are there other companies guilty of doing this..Yes..

But when you think about it,,those companies probably copied Linn..

[cafe latte]

The Majik is only a wisker better than the older linns though.
Jas is not far wrong in that Linn is stupidly over rated and too expensive for what it is. Technics too stock is far form perfect (did I say that?? ) and is not the slayer of all TTs, but it is also not 14 grand either.
My feeling is life is just too short to spend it trying to get a Linn to sing with so many other options.
CL

[cafe latte]

Wow Jas has got Christmasy my smilie has put a hat on
Jas if I am a good boy will Santa bring me a nice new MC cart ?(needs to get past the missus though )
CL

[avole]

@CL, the Linn isn't really aimed at us. Have you seen the Linn and Naim forums? Some owners get technician to fly out to wherever their tax free haven happens to be to set up thir Linns - insane.

@ goatbreath, the bass issue may be the cartridge and arm you're using - AT95E/RB 300 from memory? If it's a bit ploddy, that is. I've only ever heard Linn with their own arms and cartridges, and bass isn't a problem, which, given the price, is what you'd expect. You're still a lucky b****r owning one.

[LPfan]

@CL, the Linn isn't really aimed at us. Have you seen the Linn and Naim forums? Some owners get technician to fly out to wherever their tax free haven happens to be to set up thir Linns - insane.

Lucky technicians.

[JaS]

@CL, the Linn isn't really aimed at us. ...

No, it's aimed at folks like Seb - he's listens to his on the sun deck of his luxury yacht

Regards,
JaS

[flavio81]

The LP12 has been surpassed by the SL1200 as most hyped deck 8-[ That's not saying that aren't both well made, decent decks in their own right, but for hype they are unsurpassed.

Exactly what JaS said.

[Dowser]

I love my 1977 LP12 - it cost me £200 to buy though Since added a Sole subchassis, DIY Geddon PSU, corner braces, first an RB250 and then recently a Mission 774. It is over-hyped, but it also a good deck - biggest issue for me in stock form was the bloated one-note bass, an after market subchassis fixes this wonderfully!

Richard

[goatbreath]

Avole,the bass doesn't sound ploddy,,just a bit unfocused..The Michell is also sitting on a Townshend seizmic sink..I find different turntables do tend to like different surfaces..The Mycro is also totally under rated in my opinion..It is a really neutral sounding table,,maybe the acrylic platter,,also when doing £ for £ comparisons it was definitely is way better value than the Sondek if the Sondek had been bought new..Although the Lid on the Mycro colours the sound,,it needs taken off completely..

I think experimentation with surfaces will sort my Sondek out..I just wish I could find sanely priced adjustable levelling feet..Or think of some method for making my own,,there has to be some device out there that will do the same job,,I just use different objects to build it till the spirit level goes to the middle..The whole isolation platform thing seems to be another way to rob you of much money and you don't know if that platform will work with your deck any way..