Top linear trackers

Please no flamewars, just another datapoint. 

Versa 1.2 and VPI TNT 1 with 9" JMW arm with Benz LP sound the same. I was surprised expecting the Versa would outshine the VPI, but that was not the case. The Benz sounded wonderful in both VPI and Versa: very rich tonally which is my preference. LP is very detailed also but not as much as Goldfinger. Better than either is the Benz Gullwing which combines the lucidity of the Goldfinger with the calories of the LP letting you have your cake and eat it too. The cherry on top is that the Gullwing costs less than either LP or Goldfinger. There is no body like no body. Want to hear the new Ortofon Verismo which also has no body but the demand for that cartridge is high and I cannot get ahold of one. Always wanted an Ortofon. It is wonderful how these old companies continue to flourish: Benz, Clearaudio, Ortofon, Koetsu, Lyra, Kiseki. Of course nuttin' wrong with new companies. People can be so touchy.

(Comparing TNT with 9" JMW against recent Avenger with 12" printed arm again the same. No progress in twenty years, but both are great turntable/arms. In case you were wondering if the Versa/TNT comparison holds up after both types out of production since the last century.) 

Definitely consider the ET 2.5.  Bruce is still making them, but you need to order direct from him I believe.  He also has spares and does a great job on repairs and he's a pleasure to deal with.

Using the right combination of arm wand and leaf springs on the counterweight assembly, you can accommodate a wide variety of cartridges from moderately high compliance (such as Grado woodies) to low compliance cartridges.

I've owned mine since 2001 on my TNT4, and I would not consider replacing it.

If you have the bucks check out the CS Port from Japan. 

This will not even register in your search radar, but as someone has mentioned the Trans-Fi Terminator should be on your list. 

Look at the manifold, an inverted ‘v’ as opposed to a circular tube in most other cases. It is an inherently more stable ( no tendency to roll ) platform for the cartridge / wand assembly to glide on. It is low pressure / high flow operating as low as 0.5 psi ( I run it at 1.25 psi ), which can easily accommodate surge tanks for elevated SQ and aquarium type compressors are more than adequate. And the value proposition is out of this world.

Please review discussion of this arm on another thread : 2019 update Trans - Fi Terminator. You will find users of other ‘higher caliber ‘ arms, LT or otherwise, moving to the Terminator. Most recently a Clearaudio TT5 user taking up the Terminator, resulting in the purchase of a second Terminator to boot!

While I use a linear tracking arm, I do not subscribe to the notion that one technology is superior to the other. It is in the implementation / execution. However, to find a matching pivot arm at Terminator’s price range is impossible.