Diving back into analog...which turntable to buy

If you couldn't get better sound with your LP12, what makes you are going to get better sound spending a lot less? Not only that, if you focus on how much the components cost, as opposed to what you are trying to accomplish, you'll fail.

The minimum you need to do here, is come up with a plan that includes matching a TT w/arm, cart and phono pre to each other, as well as making sure it will work with the rest of your system. It would also help to know what your taste in music and equipment is, along with your current system, especially, the digital front end you are looking to best so this all isn't a waste of time.

In order to bring vinyl up to the level of CD or Super Audio. I think you would have to spend around $3,000 to $4000. I always had tables around the $1000 to $2,000 range and none of them (while very good) did not give me that OMG factor, until I bought a Pro-Ject Xtension 10 with a Clear Audio Maestro v2 on it. This really brought my vinyl way past CD or SACD sound. I rarely listen to digital anymore. Regards,

Matt M

Mission, I'm mildly surprised at your experience of the LP12 (although I sold my LP12 many years ago). The Linn is more than capable of seeing off expensive CD players and giving you that "analogue-only" compulsion.

I recall a friend evaluating a CD player with possible buying intentions which was 4X the price of his basic LP12 with basic arm. He asked me to sit in on the comparison using like-for-like material (mostly live albums) and although the LP12 was literally "thrown in a corner", as he put it, while the Demo CD Player was atop the 5th and most specially decoupled shelf on his rack (and also despite the object of the exercise being to replace an existing CD player!) he was so disgusted at the expensive item's poor showing against the LP12 that he decided not to replace the CD player at all(!) and packaged the demo item up for return to the dealer forthwith!

It should be mentioned that setting up an LP12 is critical, not just the suspension but the choice of support as well (i.e. which also includes the floor or the wall!).
Pernickety, perhaps, but well worth the effort.
Like the man said, at $1K you're not going to find anything better.

Well this is all discouraging,lol...I tried everything possible with the lp12 I had.I even had a table guy come in and do his magic as he stated before coming.Couldn't compare to my Esoteric player.Anyway I want to try this,my budget is a grand..Im seeking info on tables to consider new or used,thats all really.