From LP12 to where...?

I liked my LP12 Lingo a lot but gave it up after a misadventure with the wrong arm (Graham: too heavy) and the setup problems that resulted. Sort of wish I had kept my first LP12 Valhalla/SME IIIs/Shure V15 because it was great for what it cost, but goodness knows you just have to ;o) upgrade a Linn...

I got a Scheu Premier Mark II with a Scheu Cantus arm and an AT33PTG. I'm just getting the setup (VTA, VTF, overhang, loading etc.) dialed in but I can tell I'm going to love the new one as much as or more than the old. Setup is a snap!

I sold the Graham and my best cart, a Koetsu Rosewood Sig, to pay for this and other changes. I hope one day to get as good an arm and cart as the ones I sold, to fit on the Scheu, but right now, I'm very happy.

If you haven't given up hope on your LP12 you might want to consider contacting a Naim Audio dealer and discuss with them the great mod's that they offer for the Lp12. I switched from the Lingo and Ekos to Naim's Armegeddon power supply and Aro tonearm and found the improvements amazing. Combine that with a quality low-mass moving coil cartridge and enjoy.

I had an LP12 and liked the pleasant colored sound, but went with the VPI Scoutmaster and it is far more neutral, faster, more dynamic, far more interesting, and makes the Linn sounded very dated. I know there are a lot of Linnies who will disagree, but set up correctly, the Scoutmaster, Nordost wired JMW9 leave me not wanting any other table. The vinyl sounds so different from recording to recording, the Linn just always left its soundprint on everything. With the VPI, all seems right. The bass is so powerful, full of dynamic contrasts, each pluck of a bass guitar is detailed, the Linn leaves a blurr. The mids and highs are also equally detailed and realistic. If you want music, the VPI is the ticket. The Scout is OK, but the Scoutmaster is great. Jallen

"I suspect your dealer is just telling you of his worth and how monetarily valuable he is"

Ain't it the truth...

For ease of set-up and ability to keep its settings, I would recommend a SME model 10. It sells for about $3,500 used and is an excellent value. You can upgrade the arm to a SME IV or V later and get truly great sound. Very reliable. There are many reviews on the net. I am biased as I have owned one for about four years and love it.