Upgrade Linn LP 12 or buy new table

I respectfully disagree with bpoletti when he says that the "absolute BEST a LINN can sound is nowhere close to modern tables in that price range." I suggest that you find a competent Linn dealer to help replace the springs and grommets, tune the suspension, replace the drive belt, assess the cartridge and replace the bearing oil. This should cost only a few hundred dollars if the cartridge is OK. A Denon DL103R is a great cartridge for a reasonable price - around $300. You would end up well under $1,000 and almost certainly have a turntable that competes very nicely with modern turntables in the $3-4K price range.

Should you choose to upgrade, you could get a Cirkus bearing kit ($750) and Kore subchassis ($1,200). These are worthwhile upgrades as is the Lingo 3 power supply, though at $1,800, that would push to the upper limit of your budget.

If you can find a dealer to demonstrate these upgrades, I suggest that you hear and assess these for yourself. Rely on your own experience but don't automatically give up on the Linn because of its age. The LP12 can be maintained for a very modest cost and upgraded at varying price points. Based on my experience, the Cirkus, Kore and Lingo 3 are well worthwhile. At the highest upgrade level, an LP12 competes with turntables at very high price points. 

Thomas O'Keefe at Overture Audio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Rick Duplisea of The Audio Alternative in Fort Collins, Colorado, are both excellent dealers and Linn authorities whom you could contact for expert help with your LP12.

Hal253,

First, kudos on a nice, well balanced system.  I recommend you do some demos of the latest version of the Linn LP12 with all the PS upgrades against other tables if you can, but if pushed, my recommendation would be to replace the Linn.  Assuming you can sell you current Linn LP12 for $1k used, for $4-6k (i.e., sale price plus the price to upgrade), you can buy a table that will substantially outperform the Linn. If you are inclined in that direction, I am happy to supplement my post with particular suggestions.

Best of luck.

Linn tables have inherent colorations that cannot be overcome or disguised with upgrades.  Voodoo dealers and magic incantations cannot fix the problems with Linn tables.

The best way to upgrade a Linn table is to replace it with a VPI, Clearaudio or Basis table.

As a long time Sondek Lp12 owner (circa:1982), amongst other forays, and having much experience with the folks at Overture Audio of Ann Arbor over the years, I agree with casaross, who has covered the fundamentals nicely. For some, this TT may have gone out of style, but for anyone with two good ears, the music it will make is still quite compelling and relevant respectively.

Once again, a lot of opinions on how the LP12 sounds from those who have clearly NEVER heard a top flite LP12 Radikal D Klimax!
Anyone who says Linn tables have "inherent colorations" and would suggest a VPI or Clearaudio over a top elite LP12 IMHO is simply shooting from the hip.
All tables to a greater or lesser extent have colorations...as do all systems.
Again, IMHO the OP would be best served upgrading the LP12 that he already has and therefore I would agree with casaross.
For $3-4K a lot of excellent upgrades can be added, including a Cirkus and Kore and possibly a Lingo 3. The resulting table would easily see off a VPI Prime and many others in the same price range...or even considerably higher.