Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Is stove lining needed?

I would like to put an Avalon wood stove into an existing masonry chimney. Rather than using an insert I will use a stove protruding 6" or so from the firebox, to give extra heating surface.
Most sellers of stove say relining chimney is required, cost about $2K. However some say it is optional, and neighbors and friends say nonsense, is not needed if your flue is ok. My chimney has a ceramic 12"x8" flue in good condition. So why can't I just run pipe to the damper, and make sure chimney is cleaned well every year? That will be less costly than replacing the liner in a few years, won't it? Thanks,

--
Jeff

Assuming you've had a professional inspection of a lined chimney and the flue is in good shape, then it will work just as well for your wood stove. Including an insulated stainless pipe all the way up keeps the exhaust gasses hotter resulting in less creosote build-up and a cleaner exhaust to the environment.