Linn Sondek 50th anniversary, really that good?

DasguteOhr · Dec 31, 2023

Another Johnson said:
Thought so. You are not aware of the fact that an LP12 from back in the day shares NO parts with the current models. Not even the plinth design, top plate, or the fixings are the same. It could literally be LP12 Mk XX if a naming algorithm like Burmester uses were used. There have been multiple iterations on every major component, from bearing, to subchassis, to motor and controller, to arm, ad nauseam.

The basic principles for good turntable design do not change. Linn and Thorens both understand them. The goal is to extract as much information as possible out of the grooves while not adding noise components that obfuscate.

Your post should have been “I don’t know anything about the LP12-50, but I did not like Linn when I listened to an LP12 in the ‘70s. If it were me, I’d listen to X, Y, and Z which I prefer.” No argument there. Your ears, your system. But to announce that certain other models are superior in every way to a current top model that you have never heard, is simply arrogant Linn bashing.

You can easily think of me as arrogant, I have installed and converted so many Linn LP12s that you won't change my opinion. I want every owner to have fun with the LP 12, but I wouldn't be happy with the device. I'm leaving the thread now. I wish you a happy new year 2024.

djsina2 · Dec 31, 2023

Another Johnson said:
FWIW, the LP12-50 is limited to 250 units. It is priced at £50k. $60k in USD.

Must be a typo.

Audiohertz2 · Dec 31, 2023

Argonaut said:
I beg to differ … Distinctly average in comparison and nothing has changed …IMHO Obviously

No problem, i stand by my comment and know what was said is solid and not and in no way ideological ...

Regards

Uwiik · Dec 31, 2023

If a TT can bring this much heated debate in such a short time then it must be worth buying… I am getting it then..

mtemur · Jan 2, 2024

Uwiik said:
How good is Linn Sondek 50th anniversary?

I’m guessing it will be outrageously overpriced and overrated just like other LP12s have been over the years. I agree with @DasguteOhr on this. I think the best thing ever offered by LP12 package was Japanese made Ittok tonearm.

christensenleif@msn.com · Jan 2, 2024

I´m amazed at the stupidity of some hiend clients
can they not see they´re victims of a marketing strategy, where price is used as a "credibility instrument"
there´s no way a LP12 can compare to the pricing of a small car, even in a "limited edition" which is just a hype
in UK a Tesla 3 is about same price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
even cheaper in Norway!!

the LP 12 is like a T-Ford in comparison....with inferior suspension........ha-ha

Lagonda · Jan 2, 2024

DasguteOhr said:
But the comparison is very flawed, at Porsche everything has changed in fifty years, dimensions, chassis, track width from air cooling to water cooling. The only thing that has remained with the 911 is the engine located behind the rear axle. The frame of the Linn is the same, the suspension etc. Compare the first 911 with the 991/992 model series, it's like night and day. Everyone can have different listening tastes. For me, LP 12 isn't special, and it's certainly not worth the money that you have to pay for it today
P.S I forgot the ignition lock is still on the left side... porsche

I appreciated the fact that you could pop out the speedometer of the 911 disconnect the electrical cable and take your company leased Carrera 4 to the next level.

Speed was then measured by the tachometer and the rear "wing" would not go up automatically at 80 km/hour !

No speedometer apps on phones back then .

Lagonda · Jan 2, 2024

mtemur said:
I’m guessing it will be outrageously overpriced and overrated just like other LP12s have been over the years. I agree with @DasguteOhr on this. I think the best thing ever offered by LP12 package was Japanese made Ittok tonearm.

And don't forget the extra cartridge screw on the "Troika", now that was a blatant scam if i ever saw one !

DasguteOhr · Jan 3, 2024

Lagonda said:
I appreciated the fact that you could pop out the speedometer of the 911 disconnect the electrical cable and take your company leased Carrera 4 to the next level. Speed was then measured by the tachometer and the rear "wing" would not go up automatically at 80 km/hour ! No speedometer apps on phones back then .

In modern Porsche, this is done by the ABS control unit with the sensors on the wheels.
I believe the last model 992 had 9 control units(can bus). It's no longer so easy to outsmart him by unplugging the cable. The emergency running program then starts immediately
Other manufacturers often use the gearbox speed.
P.S
Without pressure from the spoiler you can be 15 km/h faster if you dare(high speed

Audiohertz2 · Jan 3, 2024

Lagonda said:
I appreciated the fact that you could pop out the speedometer of the 911 disconnect the electrical cable and take your company leased Carrera 4 to the next level. Speed was then measured by the tachometer and the rear "wing" would not go up automatically at 80 km/hour ! No speedometer apps on phones back then .

What year , never heard of that before ...

Audiohertz2 · Jan 3, 2024

christensenleif@msn.com said:
I´m amazed at the stupidity of some hiend clients
can they not see they´re victims of a marketing strategy, where price is used as a "credibility instrument"
there´s no way a LP12 can compare to the pricing of a small car, even in a "limited edition" which is just a hype
in UK a Tesla 3 is about same price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
even cheaper in Norway!!
the LP 12 is like a T-Ford in comparison....with inferior suspension........ha-ha

This applies to all of audio not only LP12 buyers ...!

Lagonda · Jan 3, 2024

Audiohertz2 said:
What year , never heard of that before ...

Germany 1995 i think !

A friend and long time Porsche owner showed me the trick, he owned a 911 Turbo, and a 928 Strosek Tuned with a Compressor, that last one was mean. He once raced a friend in a Ferrari Testarossa on the Autobahn from Munich towards the Austrian border, the Testarossa was in the passing lane he in the second going 300 km/h when a East German Trabant suddenly appeared going 100 km/h in his lane !

He hated loosing, went to the third lane and they passe the Trabant on both sides with an excess of 200km/h

He also had a tuned 500SL Convertible he would beat me every time we went on road trips, my Porsche was faster, but he was just more use to the Autobahn and was crazier. We once got stopped going through Austria on the way to Hungary we saw a blue blinking light far behind us, an decided to stop, the cops had chased us trough 2 counties but couldn't catch us, they had a speed limit in Austria, and half of our vacation money went to buy us free passages !

Sencha · Jan 4, 2024

Another Johnson said:
I am an LP12 fan and have owned at least one for nearly 40 years. I presently have two in my TT collection, one of which I’ve kept upgraded to top level until my recent decision to stick with the original Radikal. I may still do that upgrade, but I haven’t yet. What other audiophile company still provides support for their initial product after 50 years?

The biggest argument against going out and buying any high end turntable new today is the precipitously steep depreciation. At the 40th anniversary some people bought the commemorative model with the hope that it would inflate in value, but there’s no evidence (outside of a few persuasive Linn dealers) that this has happened. If you buy any high end product new, pride of owning a new one has to be a major part of accepting the depreciation.

Is the 50th Anniversary model worth the sizable cost increase compared to Linn’s otherwise best? Who can tell? In my opinion, only the customer who is going to lay out the cash. It is a leap of faith to order without listening. But I’ll bet most who ordered will be very pleased. It is a true bucket list item.

As for ALL LP12s, as you point out, the footprint is delightfully unassuming. You have to dedicate a lot of space if you want to run one of the latest and greatest chrome wedding cakes, tire balancers, or other modern models. And compared to the current 6 figure reviewer favorites, the Linn looks like an incredible value.

In every legitimate TT “bake off” I’ve heard, Linn are legitimate competitors and much of what comes off as negative is really underlying lack of enthusiasm for the Linnies. On a sonic level, there is so much that is affected by cartridge and setup, broad brush assertions about one high end TT vs another can’t be generalized.

I have the new Radikal on mine................................sorry to say but, it's good!! The new Ekstatic cartridge sounds fantastic also, well worth a listen if you are in the market for a new cart.

Sencha · Jan 4, 2024

Re, the 50: Yup, it's a chunk of change but whatever someone spends on HiFi, it's up to them. I pretty much have a latest spec LP12 but without the new cartridge. At what they are asking for the new TT I would probably want to hear other decks before dishing out that sort of coin. However, I agree with some of the posters here in that I love the proportions of the design. Classic and understated. To me it just looks right and that hasn't changed with the latest version. I'm not a fan of the rounded speed switch or the rounding of the armboard part of the sub-chassis, takes away a little bit of the crispness of the design. But hey, these are minor issues if we are being honest. If you don't like the sound of the LP12 then that's fine, there are plenty of other turntables that will give enjoyment for sure. The latest version of the LP12 sounds great to me and I would expect the 50 to surpass it by a reasonable amount. How far that is I don't know as I haven't heard one so my money is firmly in my pocket for now. I believe the new plinth will be an upgradeable part to existing LP12's sometime in the future, I'll look forward to hearing it when it comes out.

Kjetil · Jan 5, 2024

I read here that the LP12 was a better turntable than the TD 125 when released. Good grief!

This said a well performed comparison of the current basic (Basik?) LP12 and the Thorens TD 1600 could be interesting. After all they are just AR XAs, to parallel the 911 banter.

Audiohertz2 · Jan 5, 2024

Plenty prejudicial responses with zero experience or effort to do proper compares are obviously Par for the Audio course..!

But Alas even the barely listenable Technics 1200 at introduction is now a cult king again ..

Regards

Solypsa · Jan 6, 2024

Uwiik said:
How good is Linn Sondek 50th anniversary? Will be paired with HSE Swiss Vareq ML-7 phono. Currently using Kuzma XL-DC with MSL Platinum cart and would like something slimmer to fit my new taste and room.

All the polarized fans and haters chat may not have really helped here hehe.

I am not a fan of the LP12 but I have spent enough time around pretty high spec ones ( with the Naim goodies and also the newer Linn versions, but not this '50') to know that they can sound pretty darn good. @Uwiik you seem like a decisive buyer. Did you already make your move?

Given that form factor and aesthetics are behind this change, there are a few other tables that may also fit, and perhaps give higher value.

PM me if you want a few alternate suggestions

DetroitVinylRob · Jan 13, 2024

I owned an LP12 from 1983 bought new. Around the time when many, many folks where buying cheap CD players, I purchased a Sondek with an Ittok LVII tonearm and an Asak MC and started scooping up tons (more) LPs. We were soon at a crossroads where the record industry stopped making records and pushed “perfect sound forever“. Up until that time, though I was a gainfully employed industrial designer, I enjoyed working evenings and weekends in a local record store, but when vinyl left, so did I. Found a lot of pleasure in the Sondek LP12 sound for several decades and then moved on… IMHO, so many possibilities present themselves when you start getting into this level (DC motor, OB PS/speed regulating, and Keel plinth) of investment turntable wise. Today there are so many gifted designers and builders and very high quality choices abound. I’m in a place now with a couple of spinners where I don’t believe the old shoe box could amply compete. Though back in the digital dark ages I believed Ivor Tiefenbun shined brilliantly with a solid product and modestly priced (continuous) updates. It was a great sounding turntable.

Sonicman · Jan 27, 2024

This one arrived yesterday at my home. The answer to the initial question is: Yes!

Another Johnson · Jan 27, 2024

Congratulations!

Linn Sondek 50th anniversary, really that good?

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