Linn LP-12 compared to TW Acustic, SME, Nottingham

As you say keepitsimple, everyone has had and loved their LP12, I did. Is it up to other current models? No I do'nt believe it is. Moreover, the add ons like the Keel, Lingo, Circus bearings, are outrageously over priced and make a fully kitted out Linn very expensive. I changed to Origin Live Resolution, clearly an improvement, in base, neutrality and now to a TW Accustic Raven one. The latter is an equivelant, possibly greater improvement over the Origin Live.
I have heard and enjoyed SME decks, the 10 and 20, but found them to be neutral, but lacking in drive and dynamics. Just my opinion, but in my view TW is the cream of the crop. Moreover, Thomas the designer of TW, very honestly says, you get 95% of the Raven AC one's, performance, for the intro model, the Raven One, at a pretty reasonable price.

Thanks for the great responses. I haven't seen anyone weigh in on the Nottingham tables. I am curious as to whether anyone has compared the Nottingham tables to the SME and TW Acustic tables.

Thank you.

I had a fully decked out LP12 with Lingo, Cirkus, dedicated wall shelf, etc. tweaked by a dealer, and loved it... until I brought home a VPI Scout out of curiosity. There was no denying the Scout's superiority in all areas, even those Linn is famous for, such as the toe tapping, etc. The only plus on the Linn side was not having to use a clamp. LP12's are nice, and I really did like mine, but I am sure the tables you mentioned would likely kill it.

Were the cartridges the same on both 'tables?

i own a nott horizon s.e. with a humble rega 250 arm, which is a pretty entry level table from them. i started with a benz silver high output moving coil and now use a clearaudio aurum beta s that i picked up here for a rediculously low price. to me, it does not sound entry level.
the nott philosophy is simplicity works best. you push start and stop these tables, no switch - the motor idles when not in use. the motors are very low torque, just enough to keep the platter up to speed and a heavy platter it is, said to lower vibration and increase accuracy. a lot of money goes into the bearing. notts are known to be very accurate in maintaining speed.
the whole unit only weighs about 25 lbs, so i would like some deeper bass and i know you can go up the arm food chain as well for more delicacy.
i replaced a rega with this and have had no regrets at all for the 2+ years i have had it. if i was to upgrade, i would definitely look at another up the line.

tom collins