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The Linn LP12 Transcription Turntable is a legend by itself.  It may not be the best but certainly among the best turntables ever produced.   Over the 35 years of history since its inception, various upgrades and improvements were made despite its steadfast basic design.  The LP12 still holds to its performance amazingly well even compared with turntables double or even treble its price.  As at present, the LP12 turntable deck alone costs HK$28,000 while a fully equipped LP12 system with its top class Ekos tonearm, Lingo power supply and Linn's flagship cartridge is already priced at over HK$100,000, not to mention there is still the dedicated Lingto phono amp.   It is certainly a commodity for the well off.

However, the sweet part about the LP12 is in its 2nd hand or pre-owned market.  There are no less than abundant supply of pre-owned LP12 available from the UK, at various price range from GBP 300 to 500 depending on condition.  The out of production Ittok tonearm, which design is transplanted to the top class Ekos, is also readily available at around GBP300 to 550.  With little than one third of the price of a brand new LP12, you can have a decent 2nd hand one spinning in your hifi system.  There are also essential replacement parts readily available in Hong Kong in case any component needs overhaul. 

I have recently bought a 2nd hand Linn LP12 turntable deck from ebay bidding.   The seller is a hifi dealer in UK who provides excellent customer service.  This LP12 is in quite good condition, with the latest Cirkus bearing upgrade and an original Linn rosewood plinth.  Price is at GBP550 plus shipping charge of GBP122 totaling HK$10,800.   I have yet to add the power supply and the tonearm.  I created this diary to log the progress of setting up this LP12 for playing.  My thanks go to friends in Vinyl paradise forum who provided lots of info and shared their experience from set up to choice of tonearms.  Specifically the following discussions are relevant:

I have a Linn LP 12 coming

Linn Ittok III

Please vote: SME IV on LP 12 - to be or not to be?

Linn Trampolin baseboard for LP 12

SME IV on LP 12 finally