Upgrade LP 12 or...

Arthur Salvatore has some strong opinions about turntables and potentially some offensive words about Linn tables. Search for high-endaudio.com. I've found much of what he says about tables, arms and cartridges to be accurate.

One of the big problems with the Lp 12 is it's set up, most dealer's said, they are specialists, but based to my experience, leaving their shop, and the player wasn't the same.

The best upgrades for this one, are in my opinion, from Naim, specially the Aro arm. It's a very good one.

Another frustrating fact, even when full upgraded with very much money, all owners I know, who changed later to a serious design ( VPI TNT, or Basis 2400, Basis Ovation, Well Tempered, Michell, Oracle ) couldn't believe the huge difference in sonic improvement. All told me, it was frustrating to realize, spending so much money for a inferior design ( in comparison ).

It was a super product for dealers, always with upgrades, a dealers dream for making money, and for all set up guys.

Their work never stopped.

And the owner was always ready to pay .....

Anyway, when you want to go with it, try it with Naim ARO arm, avoid the Lingo.

I looked at your system pics -
1) get rid of those gawdawful blobs under the Sondek
2) at the very least(for the sake of matching cosmetics) get a separate 2-3 tier Quadraspire stand and use it only for support of the turntable- wallmounting would be even better
3)consider replacing or rebuilding the Troika- it's probably knackered

Only after you've addressed the turntable's feet, cartridge and support should you consider upgrades (particularly psu and arm) or changes(unless you just want to change for the sake of change- a potential quagmire if you like what the Linn does and have built your system around those qualities)

Given your system, I would put the LP12 on a better support and change out the cartridge to a Dynavector. Or, if you want a set and forget type TT, go for the P9. From your system description, you have a need for speed. I have an LP12 and have not personally heard the other tables, but I think the other tables (except the P9) play up the hi-fi aspects of music (soundstage, even frequency response, detail retrieval, air etc) more, but do not quite have the musicality (i.e. PRAT) of the Rega and the Linn. The two biggest upgrades to my LP12 were the Mana wall shelf and the Dynavector 17D2 (which is why I suggested them). For more discussion on LP12s, I suggest going to the Naim site (www.naim-audio.com ?).

Mike

Yes, you do have the Linn placed in the worst possible manner. It should never be on an equipment rack with other gear. It should always have it's own light rigid stand, preferably lower to the floor. I agree to get rid of the "God Awful Blobs" under the TT feet. Just placing the TT on a Sound Organisation TT stand, would make the Linn sound 10% better than it does now.

If you want to get a new TT, the Teres 255 will blow out any turntables that have thus far been mentioned. And it is lower cost than most of them too. Just for reference, I lived with a Linn LP12/Ittok/Karma for years, so I can give an accurate comparison to what you have. I have also heard most of all the other high end tables too. The Teres is a truly exceptional table, and is very good value for dollar.