If you put the Origin Live armboard on an SL1200, you're not limited to an RB300. You could use any compatible arm, which includes the JMW 9 and the other Origin Live tonearms. I'll bet the Technics with an OL Silver just kills. You can possibly improve sound and usability with the Pete Riggle Audio VTA-on-the-fly upgrade. But your post was talking about limiting outlay to $1K. For $1K you could get an SL1210 from Musicians Friend for $399 and add a heavily upgraded Origin Live OL1 tonearm. The Technics platform gives you great spinning precision and very low noise, better than you're going to find from any $400 belt-drive platform. I think you'd have to move up to at least a Funk Firm to approach it, though I'm speculating here.
thanx for all your input. I think your right about he technics inability to perform at a level that would be suitable to my ears after using an lp12 ekoes comboe. So now what???
Also, the Linn's strong suit is an isolating suspension. That's the Technic's weak point. You *have to* platform it properly to hear what it can do, which is considerable. I platformed mine for $70 total (brass cones + cutting board + Vibrapods).