Interesting thought- Linn &

While I've not heard turntables/arms/cartridges that carry a $50,000 or more retail price, I have heard turntables/arms/cartridges upwards of $20,000, including a fully decked out LP12 (Radikal, kore, kandid, Ekos Se)- none gave clearly bettered the LP12. I did hear an oracle, with an SME arm and a Benz cartridge that was pretty terrific too

Sadly,
My big city Linn Dealer is belly up.  =/  I would have to go into another state to find an authorized Linn Dealer.  So for now..  I will have to wait.

Norman

bdp24, I just wanted to dispell the notion, that just because you hear a note on one system, that that system is more accurate than one where you don't hear that note.

It is not that I think the Linn is not a good table, far from it.  Not sure about the price tag.  I cannot imagine what is possible with the scout.  Maybe an SDS and an hrs isolation platform.  I bet it would sound pretty quiet and impressive but again hrs 1500 and SDS 1000, well you are at 4 grand.  I bet the prime with the added mass, hrs and SDS would be pretty amazing.  The thing with VPI is that the arm is very hard to set up and get right.  Table has to be perfectly level.  After listening to the prime and the lp 12, even though there was some setup issues with the prime, I think I am leaning towards the prime.  It is the best value in turntables.  If I already had a Linn, I would probably keep it.  They do sound great.  

Most VPI users so not use an hrs.  Depending on location many use nothing special or use a heavy ($50) cutting board underneath, sometimes with soft footers of some kind underneath, sometimes not. In lieu of $1200 SDS many are using $525 Phoenix Eagle.  Leveling the platter needs only a $5 level.  (Shouldn't all platters be level?) Prime arm is outstanding 3D arm.  Why do you think arm is hard to set up?  Set up is like all other arms with added advantage of very easy SRA/VTA.