If it's of any help - and not too late by now - I'd been eyeing up the Mimik in Billy Vee's ad, but at the earlier price of £395 as it had been. I found one in Edinburgh for £295 (hello Retro Reproductions!) and picked it up when I was back home a few weeks ago.
To echo Andrew's comments, buy with confidence - mine is a 1994 model, it's not upgradeable (some of the later models are however) and you can always check with Linn if you go for it.
It's a lovely machine - build quality is excellent, although the tray itself may appear a little flimsy but I'm comparing this with my old Kenwood DP7090 which enjoyed battleship build. No lightweight though, it is substantial in all other respects and won't fall to bits.
Soundwise, mine took a week or so to warm up, but there is a depth of scale your £279 won't get you anywhere else, bearing in mind this is an £800/£900, as was, player we're talking about here.
Good clarity, detailed, but not overwhelmingly so. Music blends, yet complex works (large scale orchestral for instance) are presented in a way my earlier player struggled to by comparison. Instruments are well defined and 'placed' in the soundstage.
Highly recommended, a steal for the money and you have the added security of not only a warranty with Billy Vee's offer, which I think was true at the time, but ongoing back-up if need be, from Linn.