LP 12 Owners-If you were going to buy a new TT ...

My LP 12 is 88' vintage. The dealer sold me the setup jig, strobe,speed disc, setup manual because I was moving to Alaska and he gave a live demo of setup and then watched me do the setup and critiqued me as I did it. I have managed to maintain it with No Problems ( belt, tracking, etc.) It has only been tuned by a Linn dealer twice (2) . Once in 94' when I moved back to Chicago; and this past April by "Tom" at Ovature Audio (400miles each way) in AnnArbor, MI. Even though it has sounded Good and has never given me a problem. I have to admit that Tom's tuneup has that "Linn something " that is just a bit better than My setup!
 I upgraded from Ittok to Elkos in Alaska and added the Lingo. The Cirkus was added in 94, back in Chicago. Since 94' and 2016; I also used (3) different mats and a Sota Cosmos record clamp. Changed from Spectral MCR- Spectral MCR Sig. - Lyra Clavis- Lyra Helikon.  Tom did his "Linn Tuneup " Had me go back to a Linn felt mat, no record clamp, new Linn phono cable. Installed a new Lyra Kleos. Has the Linn Tune w/ all the Lyra Sound. I am thinking of upgrading to Kore sub chassis and Radikal. It plays the tune!!! with everything The Lyra offers; detail , bass, imaging, tracking, Quiet in the Groove!  Holds its specs. Trouble Free! Why would I sell it? It has given me (28) years of pleasure! Would I really get significant $ for it. Probably NOT! Better to just keep it. Upgrade it? Waste of $? Others on this forum say the upgrades ARE worth it!
 I bought a Kuzma Stabi S, w/ platter upgrade, Kuzma 12"VTA arm, outboard PS, Dynavector XX II Mk2. It too ; "Plays well !" Both playing through Manley Steelhead The two setups give me that "Just Enough Change!" That we all seem to need in this hobby. Neither TT totally blows the other away. They play equally well but different! No audio memory here. Both through the same system. 
If I ever get a Super TT; (Kronos, Kuzma Stabi M, Tech Das III) on my list. The LP12 could go to my other small system. 
I am not the sentimental type! The LP12 still gives pleasure and can continue to do so. Others on the forums say that it can be improved! Guess we'll hear it one day. Probably! Maybe? Perhaps.

After listening to a newly modded linn,  I must say that my original scout sounded pretty darn good.

TY tzh21y,

What "mods" have you done to your LP12?

I went and auditioned one.  I think the whole setup was in excess of 10 grand.  Different sound thAN scout.  Scout more airy in sound,  more natural to my ears.  Line was great, don't get me wrong but I will stick with the scout for now.

Every TT, Tonearm, cartridge combo is different. Extremely hard to do A/B comparisons these days. I don't know any dealer that will loan out aTT but you can get CPDs, preamps,amps etc.for home audition.
Currently I run my 88' vintage LP12 and a new Kuzma Stabi S. Both through my Manley Steelhesd. Different tables, arms , cartridges. They play at the same level but Are Different! The Linn "Plays the Tune" ; The Kuzma is rock solid neutral, has better soundstage/ imaging. I am coming to Love the ergonomics of the suspensionless Kuzma over the Linn. Otherwise all else being fairly equal. They both play well. Both are problem free.
They give me that something different that I think most of us want / need. 
This is the beauty that Analog provides that digital just doesn't IMHO.