Although the Axis is now discontinued, you can probably find a used model. I think Linn discontinued the Axis because at $1000 or so, it was too expensive for the entry-level market, but not nice enough for the really high-end market. I got my Axis in 1988, when I was still in college. I couldn't afford a LP12 at that time and the Axis with a non-adjustable damping system was more transportable. I had also listened to the Rega Planar 3 at that time. I chose the Axis because although the Rega seemed to reach deeper into the lower registers, the Axis was simply more musical. It's especially good for jazz or rock as it has the typically dynamic Linn sound. It doesn't have the finesse that better turntables have though. Even so, I've been happy with the Axis since and am only now contemplating upgrading to a Linn LP12 or Roksan. Another plus for people who aren't obsessed with tweaking is that the Axis is really easy to set up. I still think the cartridge to use is the Linn K9.

I owned an Axis II with Akito arm from 1991 until 1995.Build quality of the turntable was generally good, although
its (rubber-damped) subchassis was not sitting level to
the plinth. A major problem of Axises is that power
surges can spontaneously start the motor, leading to
overheating of the active power supply after a few
hours. I always disconnected mine from the wall socket
when not using it. Looks are elegant and understated,
in black and grey.

The Akito is a fine arm, although the current Akito II
is hugely overpriced, when compared to the (better!)
Rega RB-300.

The cartridges I used where Denon DL-301 and Audio
Technica OC-9, both $300-400 low-output MCs. Both
apparently not matched to the Axis and/or Akito: the
sound was never really musical, lacking stability and
firmness and warmth, and sometimes even being screachy.
The same cartridges in a better deck really do sound
different!

It's obvious that the middle Linn is not suited to
nervous MCs. Therefore I recommend using it (and the
cheaper Basik + Akito TT) with good MMs like the
various $100-200 Grados and the Goldring 1042.

Rythm, consistent sound

Resolution, detail

I've been using the Axis/Akito since 1988, and it performs well. I've changed the cartridge from the original K9 to a Clearaudio Alpha MkII cartridge which gave a lot more dynamics and detail. Soundstage was improved too. One thing bad is the supsension of the Axis which makes the subchassis rather tight with the plinth. Vibrations are coming in from the plinth to the subchassis and vice versa (via cartridge and arm), and destroys dynamics and detail. I once tried to take away the suspension screws, letting the subchassis just rest on the rubber supsension, which gave a lot more of bass information (less "boom"), improved resolution in midrange and great soundstage while the treble became bad. So fiddling with the strenth of the rubber suspension will affect the sound both in good and bad directions. Nevertheless, in the original deck sound is always tight, rythmic and enjoyable.

Musical

Isolation, switches itself on randomly, poor finish for the price

I've had the deck 8 years and it's still my favorite source. With an AT105 MC cartridge and records which have suffered from years of abuse on cheap systems the music sounds wonderful. If you want to you can find many detailed faults, like the poor isolation, but if you just play music at reasonable volumes its great. I compared it to all its key rivals in the early nineties (rega etc) and from being the least impressive to look at it turned in the most musical performance. Keep it well isolated if you like LOUD music.