Thank you for your robust comments and I find them fair from a user's point of view. In fact, the Thorens suspension, which predated the Linn, used many of the same parts as Linn adopted right down to the springs and grommets. I know, I have parted enough Thorens out. What Linn did was to make, in a sense, a more robust Thorens. Where Linn took it further was the intense training on how to get the best out of a Linn whereas Thorens were sold as a turnkey product with little care by the dealers, at least here in the States. The direct drive tables were ideal for radio as with the use of a cartridge like Stanton, one could back-cue and have a start up time in a quarter of a revolution. Ergo, no dead air time or, at least greatly minimized. Keep in mind that for many years, contrary to popular belief, many commercial radio stations used carts (cartridges, i.e. 8 track or similiar.) As for their other products, well, I will leave you with a funny. What Hi-Fi held annual awards for best products and, well, one for the worst product. After the falling out between Linn and Naim, LInn created a tuner called the Kremlin. Quite expensive. It was awarded the Worst Product of the Year. Obviously, no one from Linn was in attendance when the award was given. However, when announced, Julian Vereker of Naim stood up and said "On behalf of my friend Ivor, I will accept the award" The room howled in laughter. Years later when Julian died, however, Ivor wrote a most beautiful eulogy about Mr. Verreker. It was classic all the way. Covered two pages in a magazine, as I recall. As for the "cult", well, I was never much part of that but for many, discovering that one could understand musical differences in musical terms was an awakening. In that sense, they became apostles that felt that their mission was to address a great many misconceptions about hi-fi and, in many ways, they were correct. The failing became that they could not accept that others were also addressing misconceptions albeit in different ways. At the dealer level, here in the states, cults are less common but are often based around a couple of magazines as if they speak the gospel. Sadly, many solid principles of hi-fi have been lost in the current time and market as can be seen with $69 turntables from Amazon. Nuff said.

Oh, and yes I have had a few comments from the cult that I actually had to mute. If one is not going to contribute and move the conversation forward, but, rather merely bicker, then save it for someone else. I don't have much patience for that. I have grown very tired of those who can only criticize and destroy while failing to build. We have a serious problem with that in the States.

And that is fine. It is a faithful friend and that's cool. My point of the video was to caution folks about the trials and tribulations about attempted upgrades.

@@audibleeleganceinc I think the main thing is that I rarely move it and always treat it gently. Same with the original SME 3009 arm I fitted to it when I bought it.

Thank you for your excellent comments, particularly about the original Linn LP12 base (plinth). As for the means of product distribution, yes, indeed, it is a complete shambles in the United States. Many manufacturers or distributors are willing to chase production. I drew the line on Rega when I discovered listings for their tables on the US Walmart Website. The distributor fixed that one quickly. This behavior has contributed greatly to the decline of specialist retailers in the States right along with any product knowledge of what they are selling. It's all become cans of beans. Sad, actually.

Oh, I think you are overstating the case. I was 8 to 10 inches back from the rear of the deck and not over the bearing well. Cameras can be a bit funny in perspective. Good suggestion, and noted. As for the oil, whatever the customer or prior owner did before he brought it in is exactly the way it left. We never charged this bearing well. There were a lot of things this table needed but all was declined. This is quite common when someone buys a used table and then brings it to us. I could tell lots of stories about what we have found tacked on the underside of platters, plinths, you name it.

You may well be right but better safe than sorry. As the old proverb says "the Devil is in the detail". Thanks for your reply and have a great day

No, the mating surfaces between the inner platter and the outer platter are not coated. I learned that at the factory.

The customer brought the table into me this way and would not allow me to do anything else. So, I showed what should be done if correct but when the customer says no, that's it. Thank you for your comments and appreciate your effort.

In this case there was pitting. So, I disagree.

Good for you and enjoy it that way. The LP12 is a fine turntable but I just wanted to point out that sometimes the upgrade path is not worth following.

Agree with you... Thanks !!

Actually, the Linn platter system is not aluminium. Neither is the Thorens inner and outer platter which, in fact, suffers the same issues. As for dust, well, I will note that but there's more dust and dirt floating around a typical home than what could be generated by this process. Now, if it were filings, yep, you are dead on with that.

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate the effort.

I owned one of those when they first came out. The biggest mistake I ever made followed by an equally miserable Kenwood rock. For ease of use, yes. Gave one to my elderly parents. No question about that.

Bingo! Across the pond, I have heard all sorts of horror DIY stories and had to return more than my fair share of tables to spec. I've see clay pressed into the underside of the platter, the subchassis, tonearms wrecked because they torqued the cartridge tight without removing the arm. Oh, yes, quite a bit. It's amazing to me how many people think that they know more than engineering. But, hey, what do I know. I don't know it all but I know enough to respect it.

Not likely

Once lacquered, I don't have any idea what a wax would do.

Indeed!

What grit sandpaper did you use ?

There is no markings on the paper we have received. Based upon it's feel, I would say it is in the 1500 to 2000 grit level. Personally, I would go with 2000. That said, I would treat the issue at the same level as if I were polishing plastic headlight covers.

Another excellent Linn dealer is Accent on Music in New York. The owners care and have decades of Linn experience

@@NateEll excellent to know as I just found out that another guru has hung up his cartridges.

I think that observation stands for most quality turntables, actually. There are plenty of itchy and scratchys out there who get into things without any expertise. Many of the principles of Linn tables actually apply to others, it's just that Linn does it at a higher precision level which must be met. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your experiences. If you have not already, please subscribe and tell others about my channel. Who knows, maybe they will find something in the work that's useful.

I respectfully disagree. How this idiot in Tampa could have turned a turntable that had a value of about $4,000 into one that sounded like a $400 table in one afternoon is a mystery to me. There is a new Denon Direct Drive (DP3000-NE that sells for $2,500). Perhaps has only about 80% of the nuance of a Linn but if it's plug and play, sounds good for 15 years, I'm down.@@audibleeleganceinc

On the Linn LP12 platter, there are surfaces that are lacquered and those which are not. Most of the platter and inner platter is lacquered except for the two surfaces where they meet when assembled. Handling a lacquered surface is fine if you have washed your hands of contaminants. That said, it is still unwise to touch the mating surfaces and finger oil can lead to pitting which is what was being removed.

Which I am not.

Oh, yes, we have heard it both ways. I suppose it might have a lot to do with manufacturing sources too. Thank you for your contribution. I appreciate your contribution.

Yeah, I thought that too. Then, I realized why that was done have ignored issues with process over purpose. Kinda like trying to get something done with the government around. You can either have it done or you can have all the paperwork filled out. So, you understand the purpose and that's all good. Perhaps you can find a better one.

just too digress I put together a linn lp12 turntable from a variety of parts. I had an Axis turntable that I used the arm from(Basic) bought a used plinth in very good shape, suspension and new springs and grommets, Valhalla Board and new motor. its all assembled and plays, suspension is a work in progress(LINN Bounce)! I think m Valhalla bd needs cap replacement. Anyway my version of an Lp12 is called the Linn Bastard because of all the thrown together parts. thanks for reply will send a pic when I find it! Frank@@audibleeleganceinc

Have fun with it, Frank. It's a hobby and if you are willing to learn, spend a few dollars, and give it your time, that's what it is all about. My points on the LP12 is that you need to understand how it works and follow the rules. It's not for the timid. I guess that means I have a bastard tool as well. @@frankfusco5479

I agree!!!@@audibleeleganceinc

That too for sure! Actually several different ones.

And I made the serious error of giving up my 1903. What a beautiful design and as balanced as any finely crafted knife or sword. Alas....

True, the 1903 was pretty cool indeed, of coarse I'm also inflicted with the love of hand crafted knives as well along with Colt SAA's, HK"s, Sig's, Walther's, etc...well better go now so I can plan my next bank job!!!@@audibleeleganceinc

That's ok. If you are happy, then it's met your needs.

Some folks treat platters and records as if they were hamburgers. This happens to all brands of turntables like Thorens or the old ARs. The good news is I have never found catsup or mustard on the bottom sides!