Graham, Naim Aro, or Linn arms?


On a Linn LP12 which do YOU prefer?
chashmal
I am leaning to the aro.
I currently have a used Rega 300 arm which I got really cheap. I also have a Lyra Dorian cartridge, and I really like it. It took almost 100 hours to really break in. I intend on moving up the Lyra line, but with a new arm.
I had the Linn Basik arm and it was horrible, and eventually broke. It was completely lifeless with the Linn K-9. I am not a fan of Linn in general, but I absolutely love my LP12 (vintage 1989) with a lingo and will stick with it.
If anybody knows, what does an aro run these days?
I haven't heard direct comparisons, but, I've heard the LP12 with the Itok and with a Aro. I was surprised how lively and dramatic the sound of an LP12/Ara/Transfiguration Phoenix combination that I heard. A bunch of friends briefly (about 2 hours) listened to this combination in a system with Hovland HP200 preamp, Hovland Radia amp and Sonus Faber Anniversarios. This combination was MUCH more lively than the system owner's regular rig (Basis 2500/Graham Phantom/Transfiguration Orpheus). Overall, the system is on the darker side, so, to me, the extra life of the Linn/Aro combination sounded good. With only two hours of listening, I have no way of knowing if the extra liveliness would eventually become taxing in the long run, but, from what I heard, this combination seems to be quite a lot of fun.
I've had a Naim Aro on my LP-12 (mated to an Ortofon Jubilee cartridge) since 2001. Sublime combo.

One small caveat on the Aro: unless Naim has changed things since 2001, it does *not* come with a cueing device, so unless you add your own, you will have to manually lower and raise the arm. I was able to buy a (no longer made) Naim Aromatic cuing device when I bought my arm. It's not without its foibles, but it beats manual engagement of the arm.
I purchased a Naim Aro tonearm for my LP12 and have never been happier. It replaced a Linn Ekos. You need to have a steady hand cuing it since its unipivot design requires it. However, the sound is awesome. Since then, I've also replaced the Lingo power supply with a Naim Armeggedon, which also demonstrated dramatic improvements to the sound. Good luck!
Larryi: I see you have a Lyra Titan Cartridge. What do you think is the advantage over the Dorian? Have you heard the Helicon? I am not sure if it is worth the money for me. What are your impressions?