I'm thinking seriously about getting rid of my LP-12 and Axis due to a recent interaction with the new Linn distribution network...
I've been servicing Linn tables for over a decade...used to do it working for the local Linn dealer and when they left town and left all their former customers without service, I took up the slack with the fellow I currently work with...been ordering parts as necessary for customers tables and had no problems whatsoever getting what was needed and satisfying our customers...everyone that had me service their tables was extremely pleased with my work, so it's not like I screwed the pooch or anything...
A few weeks ago a Linn that I have been taking care of for years came in for a new cartridge installation...well, anytime I do that I completely disassemble, clean, inspect, and polish the table while reassembling and tuning it.....
But, unfortunately his bearing had gone bad...the way you check a LP-12's bearing is to clean it totally and then look into the bearing at the bottom where the spindle rides....if you see a perfect reflection of your eye, then you are golden...but, should you see a spot then the bearing is no good any more and it and the center platter/spindle should be replaced (or, if you're good, you can repolish the spindle tip by starting with 600grit wet-or-dry and working your way up to the very finest Micro-Mesh abrasive....NOTHING less than this is really any good as when you look at the point with a microscope and haven't gone through the Micro-Mesh polishing you can really see the striations from polishing)...
So, we went through the normal channels we had for the past 10 years or so, and were informed that there was a change in the distribution of Linn....well, OK, lets do the hokey-pokey and contact the new giuys and get the parts...
Sounds simple, right?
Nope. They were incredulous that we were not a Linn dealer and doing service on their tables...after a bunch of back and forth crap they offered to set us up as a Linn dealer and all we had to do was buy an LP-12 and have it on display...as a "by appointment" business and dealing with truly high end enthusiasts, the Linn Sondek formula doesn't offer much to us or our customers
Even at dealer cost those suckers are at a price point that has a LOT of (IMNSHO) competition and would not even rate up in my top five of the $3.5K to $4K tables, and that's just for the entry level Majik...as you go higher there are even better alternatives... I have been a faithful Linn owner for nearly thirty years with my first Axis, which I traded towards my Sondek, and a second Axis that I keep for playing 45RPM...
It's also not like there is competition in the Linn market here, either, the closest dealer is in Dallas...what turntable owner wants to drive nearly an entire day to drop off their deck, the stick around until it's serviced, and then spend another 4 or 5 hours driving back home...
Shipping? Well, that ain't gonna work for keeping one in tune....
So, looks like I will probably have to let my Linnies know the bad news, and if it comes to that have them sell their decks and buy something better and not so damn persnickety....thanks new distribution channel, I really appreciate the work you do...NOT!
But, if you can get parts, they're not a bad deck...it's just unfortunate that so often the distributors are the ones that end up killing the desire and sales of products due to their ways...the world is changing and retail modes must adapt and adopt, or some really great things will be ground under the marching boots of progress...unfortunately all too many reps are grounded in the past, and that's a time that doesn't exist anymore...
I just keep thinking that if I sold both Linn tables that I would be pretty much on my way to owning a VPI Classic....and I REALLY like that table...and no maintenance issues....
Ahh well, glad I got that off my chest...
As always, YMMV.
