Linn or VPI

I'm in total agreement with Ncarv. I own a LP12/lingo/arro/troika, no circus bearing, no trampoline. I've listened extensivly to Basis and VPI tables with various arms including Grahams and JW Memorials. And on some particulars they can and do better than the LP12. However none are as overall lively and musical. I've listened to these and other tables over the last 10 years and I still haven't heard one better enough for me to replace my LP12, although a loaded VPI can sound pretty damm wonderful. The LP12 being a little touchy? yeah. Do all it's upgrades make it better? No. The Arro tone arm (IMO) was the best upgrade ever. The timbre justs really hits the mark and it is so so much cleaner than Ittok I had and the Ekos I tried. And it will sound dramatically different on different stands, shelves, furniture, whatever. If it's on something to heavy, you'll hear the cat walking on the other side of the house. Too soft or pliable and you'll lose your top end.
But with all this said, it still has it's magic. I suggest you take the some samples of the music you will tend to listen to most on vinyl and give a listen on each. I tend to think if you lean more toward classical or real light stuff, you'll like the VPI better. But for rock, blues and old soul, you'll go for the magic.

I have a full blown lp12 at home and I just got a Aries Scout for my office at work. What can I say? Vinyl is the way to go!
Have fun,
Sam

Thanks for the info. I'm very impressed by the level of input +info that you'all have so kindly provided.The reason I limited myself to Linn+VPI is that I have friends who own both+both attest that theirs sounds better. I live in a rural area+don't have the ability to audition allot of gear. So far the only thing I disagree with is that the Linn is sensitive to vibration...I've jumped up+down next to his Linn in his listening room I even tapped the Linn while it's playing +no skipping etc. And he's had the Linn just a few feet away from his spkrs at full volume +no problems. It seems that the Linn is a simplier "older" style while the TNT is "newer" technology +looks real cool!
Some of the other tables mentioned I'm concerned that they will be in business yrs from now or would we own another boat anchor?

VPI scout is the best I have heard for the money. Not to say it will be better than your origenal set up.Just to say I have tried. The Rega,Basis,Clearaudio. The Vpi was the better of them

Elkyman,

You have a point on who'll be here to back up the table years from now. That's why I suggested you go with a table as bullet proof as you can get. If Linn really was committed to analog why is it they haven't introduced any new products in many years?

I had my LP12 for about 12 years. My expert could set the table up where it wasn't sensitive to vibration, the same result you found with your test. You should be able to bounce the spindle, lightly of course, with your finger while playing a record without skipping. The arm/cartridge should only move vertically, not side to side. I found that this really told me if the unit was set up correctly. The Linn is more sensitive to vibration but if set up right it isn't really an issue.

While you've heard lots of opinions, good ones, remember this. Until you live with a front end for a long time and optimize it to suit your needs, you really don't know. You have to listen to many records for months to know for sure. The reason is there are just to many variables to make a decision quickly. Consider how many adjustments one can make to an arm/cartridge. Small changes in VTA or tracking force can make a huge difference.

I can tell you this. The Graham is a better arm than the EKOS. The Basis/Graham long term sounds at least as good as the Linn/EKOS, I think better, has solid engineering, is built to last and can be worked on by the owner alone. I suspect the VPI has the same advantages but I cannot comment on it's sound as I haven't heard it. Think twice about a Linn.