Upgrade Linn LP 12 or buy new table

Many years ago, after catching myself choosing records based on sound quality rather that music content, I sold my turntable (SOTA Star Sapphire) and tonearm (E.T. 2), and began a search for my final "ultimate" turntable. The Goldmund Reference was the top level/most expensive table at the time. I have never even seen one. This was also in the days when Audio Salons were fairly common, and I travel a lot so I had access to most of them. 

I listened to many high end expensive turntables, most of which were completely boring. That is why I sold the SOTA. None of them excited me. A high price tag and good reviews are no guarantee you will like the final product. 

While in this process, I bought a Linn Axis to hold me over. The arm, a Basik, was garbage and probably damaged so I replaced it with an Ittok. It turns out my cartridge, a Koetsu Rosewood Pro IV, loved that arm. Later, when my power supply went out on the Axis, I replaced it with a Lingo. I probably have the best sounding Axis in the world! I still have the Axis and I still like it.

The table I finally chose was one I found by accident in Kalamazoo MI. I went into the store looking for a Wilson Benish, which they carried but did not have. Instead they sat me down in front of a Pink Triangle Anniversary (Benish tonearm). I spent at least two hours listening. I had more tables I wanted to hear so I didn't buy it then, but I could not get that table out of my head. I finally bought one and have never had any desire to replace it.

Other tables that would have made me happy if I hadn't found the Pink: Rega, Well Tempered, and Linn. Now, this was 25 years ago (that hurts to think about) and there are a lot of new tables that I might consider that didn't exist then, but I still would buy the Pink, and I can't believe I've owned it that long.

The Linn us not the ultimate, most accurate or even best regarded turntable, but it is one fine listening device. The Ittok is an excellent tonearm, the Ekos is better (I use an Ekos on my Pink). You already have the Linn, have it tuned up and enjoy. Don't worry about not having the ultimate, that's a race you can never win. If you happen to find one that makes you want to leave her (this is not about your wife, it's much less expensive to change turntables), then think about replacement.

I am an X VPI dealer and the LP 12 is much better. I upgraded mine but not with Linn gear which is way high. I got a Hercules PS and several after market upgrades. Forgive me I had a brain tumor and it erased much of my memory. They all made a big difference, I got them before my operation. Look on the English sites like Pink Fish. I had a Rega arm which was very good and I was used to a Graym. Spelling bad also. I also got the x vertical adjustment mount, the reasonable one not the top one. I can't look at the gear as my friend is keeping the tables for me. 

Two of my friends had Ravens and I liked the Linn better. They had more weight but the Linn could dance.

My heartfelt advice to you is DO NOT part with your Linn! There are several excellent turntables mentioned on this thread that I could certainly live with, but transitioning to one of them would cut into buying new records.

Cons: Linn's gotten a little inflated opinion of themselves, and factory upgrades are very expensive. New ones are not the great value they used to be. You can get a lot more for less money than you used to (but it's not a Linn Sondek).

Pros: This is the Porsche 911 of turntables--it's a classic, maybe not for everyone, but if you like it, there are plenty of parts available, plenty of people who know how to work on it, and lots of aftermarket parts to tweak it to your ears' desire. You can easily work on it yourself--I have for years--thanks to loads of information online and plenty of people to ask. Some of the mods/upgrades offer 80% of Linn factory performance for 20% the price (Mose/Hercules and GreenStreet, for ex.). 

I'm the second owner of a 1976 Linn Sondek that I've upgraded ever since I bought it (in '81). It's my most prized possession, and thanks to inflation and currency exchange, it's still worth a little more than I paid for it. When you've got a turntable this caliber, it's no longer a matter of "bigger better faster," it's just different. There's a "character" to the Linn's sound that reminds me of listening to live music--concert halls, bars and living rooms--but not studio playback. Not for everyone, but it looks like a turntable, works like a turntable (not a test bench) and keeps me playing records till 3AM, even after thirty five years--and that's really what it's all about.

bpolleti, have you heard a Linn lp12 SE?  I think it's competitive with other high-end turntables out there, even though it was first made many years ago.