Radikal Linn LP12 or Palmer 2.5?

And speaking of Garrards, and your large jazz collection, may I suggest an AudioGrail/Classic Turntable Company/Artisan Fidelity rebuilt 301/401? AG/CTC runs about $3200/$2200 without plinth. I can put you in touch with a plinth builder. The AF is.... well, google them. Idlers with 12" tonearms give a wonderfully you-are-there presentation of music.

Thanks, noromance.  Wow, there are almost too many turntable choices.  Kind of amazing, when you consider how far into the digital era we are, and how perfect-sound-forever technology was expected by most to leave analog on the dustbin of audio playback history.

I wonder what the average age of turntable enthusiasts is, because this golden age of analog we are experiencing is wholly dependent on young blood awareness and enthusiasm; not just older guys who had cheap but perfectly enjoyable turntables 30 or more years ago as the centerpiece of their sound systems (which is what I suspect most of us are).

@latenightcity
Check my Virtual Systems to see my Garrard tables. I guarantee if you heard them play, you would be floored.

I just took a look at your system, noromance. Looks nice indeed.  I see you are using the Jelco TK-850L tone arm on your Garrard. The Feickert Woodpecker I enjoyed so much was mounted with the 950L, which I understand to be essentially the same arm, but for a touch more adjustability. So we certainly seem to be in agreement on that element.

Hi all.  It’s been a while so I thought I would check in and share my decision. Unfortunately, I was unable give the Palmer a second listen; however I was able to make what I feel was a meaningful comparison between a full spec Linn LP12 and the Dr. Feickert Blackbird (bearing in mind that the associated components were completely different).

Both tables sounded great, and I knew that I could live happily ever after with either, but ultimately I decided to go with the Blackbird (with the optional external power supply). Both “played the tune,” both were rhythmically assured, and both had rock solid imaging. I thought the Linn sounded a bit richer and the Blackbird played music with a bit more verve. That said, I think my decision came down to three things.  

First, I thought the Blackbird had a slightly higher “fun factor,” though I’m hard pressed to qualify why this is so.

Second, the Linn had an Ekos SE arm (vs. the considerably less expensive Jelco TK 950L) and a Kandid cartridge (vs. a considerably less expensive Ortofon). So while I realize upgrades - even somewhat expensive ones - sometimes bring only incremental changes at this level, I felt there was more down-the-road room for improvement with the Blackbird (e.g., perhaps an eventual upgrade to a Kuzma 4point or an SME arm).

Finally, I think I was just ready for a change of direction. I was a perfectly content Linn LP12 owner for 25 years, and would have had no problem whatsoever continuing along that path. But when the old fruit box finally gave out it seemed like a good opportunity to think outside “the box” and try a different flavor. I haven’t been disappointed.

So that’s about it.  Again, thanks to everyone for their input. It was all interesting and useful.