Worth buying new LP12?

Posted by: Chris Metcalfe on 07 November 2003

Having had second-hand LP12s for nearly 23 years, with a short mid-80s break to play with TD124s, 301s, TD150s etc (sadly I sold them all then), I’ve recently been thinking it would be nice to buy a new t/t for the first time ever. The last major revamp was to lose the old Ittok and Valhalla for an Aro and Armageddon, with the XX2. I’ve tried one or two other decks (e.g. SME 10, new P9) but without feeling they were better enough to lose the unique LP12 qualities. I definitely want to get a new Aro and plinth/lid/platter (so shall be selling these soon); the question is, is it worth actually buying a complete new LP12. Mine is about 12 years old, Cirkus’d in 1999.
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by prowla
Personally I don't see the point in buying new, since Lingo, Cirkus, etc replace pretty much all but the wooden surround and the platter...

Paul Rowlands
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Paul

You get a new inner platter with the Cirkus. Good vfm.

Regards

Mike

On the Yellow Brick Road and happy
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
Thanks so far. The 'point' was really to have a new (rather than 12 years old second-hand and much amended) deck. But the ather advantages would be choice of plinth, new-looking lid and platter (which looks a bit tired) and any other changes - I believe they've moved the motor position recently? To buy a new plinth, outer platter and lid is around £450, so a new deck for £1400 minus whatever discount I could get begins to look more attractive....

btw, anyone got experience of the top Wilson Benesch t/t (with the lp12-style plinth)? Looks superb in pictures.
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Rasher
So you,ve had many LP12's over the years. Have you given real serious consideration to something other than the Linn? There are so many now, I can't see that you can have dismissed the alternatives already. Mitchell, Avid etc look pretty sexy to me.
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
Well, I've tried the SME10 and new P9 at home, and ultimately preferred the LP12/Arma/Aro. I'd love to try the Orbe and the Avid (and the Xerxes 10) at home too, but it's not really feasible in terms of dealer participation!
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Rasher
But with the size of the outlay, surely you need to eliminate these from your enquiries?!
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Mick P
I suppose the evading argument is that buying a new LP12 will make sense if you are

a) going to keep it for a long time

b) going to use it a lot.

If the music is important to you, then buying a new model makes the best overall deal. Yes you can buy good second hand LP12's but if you amortize the cost difference over say 20 years, it become negilible.

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Rasher
Nice try Mick.
So I want a new 552.
That's going to last me say 30 years - so it's about £7.60 a week. Shame I can't pay for it like that then Wink
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
Thanks Mick. You're right - although of course I already have one!

I suppose the answer I'm looking for is whether any small changes made by Linn in the last few years have had a significant effect on sound quality. The £1400 minus what I might get for mine doesn't seem a lot compared to, say, three Fraim levels.
Posted on: 07 November 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
Nice try Mick.
So I want a new 552.
That's going to last me say 30 years - so it's about £7.60 a week. Shame I can't pay for it like that then Wink


On the Yellow Brick Road and happy
Posted on: 08 November 2003 by J.N.
Hi Chris

Some say 'Linns ain't what they used to be'

I'd keep what you have. You had a new bearing, sub-chassis and inner platter with the Cirkus; and that's the heart of the beast.

Buy a new lid and get the outer platter professionally bead-blasted and re-laquered, if it's looking a bit tired.

A new Aro and arm board will then be all you need.

I know that there are some lovely 'woods' available, but for me; an LP12 only looks 'right' with the standard grooved afromosia plinth.

And I find that one gets attached to one's Linn somehow, as it mellows with age.
Posted on: 08 November 2003 by Energy
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Metcalfe:
I suppose the answer I'm looking for is whether any small changes made by Linn in the last few years have had a significant effect on sound quality.


The answer is yes. One very small change, they have now fitted a bolt from the cross brace to the top plate next to the motor. Many over a PFM have added this update via a mod to their decks. Here is a link to the thread I've done the bolt

In the last 12-month have updated a mid 80's Lp-12 with new plinth/cirkus/motor/lingo/every bolt/nut/outer plater etc. and have also now added the bolt. I now feel no need for a new LP-12 (I have done all the work myself, dealer advantage)

Alan
Posted on: 09 November 2003 by prowla
I kind of agree with JN - the grooved plinth is part of the character.
My LP12 is black no grooves. It is slightly more neutral in terms of room decor, but I still prefer the grooves.

Paul Rowlands
Posted on: 10 November 2003 by Chris Metcalfe
Thanks for all your suggestions. The upshot is I shall probably keep the LP12 and fit a new Aro, at the same time having the bolt/top-plate mod done (professionally - it looks very awkward to do DIY).

Therefore fairly soon I'll have a not-too-old Aro for sale!!
Posted on: 10 November 2003 by Dev B
quote:
Originally posted by Emeritus:
quote:
Originally posted by J.N.: I know that there are some lovely 'woods' available, but for me; an LP12 only looks 'right' with the standard grooved afromosia plinth


Perhaps a bizarre question, but I have a 1998 LP12, bought new. I was a tad disappointed that the 'grooved' plinth was no more, as I loved that look. If I could find someone with the necessary skills to perform the job, does anyone have any opinion as to whether adding grooves might be detrimental to the sound?

Robin

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law


I got Linn to make me a grooved black plinth as a special last year, they did so at no extra cost, but only becasue the manufacturer was grooving a batch a they then did mine in black. Shall I post some piccies?
Posted on: 10 November 2003 by neil w
dev

yes please
neil
Posted on: 10 November 2003 by maxwellspeed
All this talk of lp12's and AROs I just had to put mine in.