Linn lp 12 upgrade or new TT ? please help.

I think that you have a really fine turntable and arm there, but the cartridge is the weak point. Just upgrading that will get you to a much better place. A moderate compliance MC, such as the Dynavector 20X will mate well with the arm, however if you prefer to stay with moving magnet (moving iron)there are some nice choices from Soundsmith, Ortofon and Goldring. I think that you will be very surprised.

Had the exact same set up (with a Klyde cartridge) and like you was faced with the same dilemma. The thing with any Sondek is that you have to spend really serious money to get it up to current standards, only to realize that there still is a long way to go. As an example, the Hercules is a worthwhile upgrade (way better than the Nirvana IMO) but it is not in the same league as the Lingo, which itself is now way behind the latest Linn offerings. The same applies for any of their tonearms or suspensions. I appreciate the flexibility but you end up spending thousands on what is essentially a 40 year old design on steroids. Not to mention the notorious setting up/tuning out problems and the occasional suspect reliability problems. Bottom line: go for a newer design and marvel at the trouble free good sound it can offer. The Avid II is a great table (and you can still use your Akito) - a lightly used VPI is always a solid choice - while a Clearaudio or a Pro-ject are also solid bets.

I have had an LP12 for a few years now and looked at replacing it about 9 months ago. I could not find a dealer in my area (colorado) that had any TT's to demonstrate. I found a few but all were a serious step backward. If you like the Lp12 there a number of upgrades to had for the table. A word of caution, and this will be met with contraversy so I stae it is MY Opinion. Stay with Linn Upgrades. One you can consider as mentioned a new arm, or even the Lingo Power Supply can do wonders for your LP12. Another $300 upgrade is the Trampoline, it will lower the noise floor. The Cirkus bearing is a good upgrade as well.
I think the LP12 may end up being my last table. I will still look at others but for the investment I have come to appreciate it's value and rebuildability. Again many will disagree but that is the conclusion I have drawn.

I have a Linn LP12 with a lingo, circa 1990. It has a Rega RB300 and Lyra Dorian cartridge. I heard it against similar rigs with Trampoline and Cirkus. Mine had much more feeling. I think Linn upgrades sound better with their crappy solid state electronics. With tube gear I like the old LP12, plus lingo. Just my opinion.

I have a totally unmodified Linn, looked into upgrading it but decided it would be too expensive. I am also a VPI dealer so am familiar with their current tables. IF I was going to change tables I would go for a used Scout. But I would change the cartridge before I did anything else. Get a Denon 110 high output moving coil, about $95 on ebay. Competitive with the Dynavector at about 1/4 or 1/5 the cost. [20 years ago they cost the same]. I have seen others like Chashmal who like the unmodified Linn better, have no experience with the newer ones myself.