Linn vs VPI?

Both the Linn and the VPI require expert setup. If you know a Linn expert in you area, you should enquire about a used tt. Once they are set up, they will go for years without adjustment. The VPIs are nice tt's as well, but the unipivot arm also requires work to get everything just so. I don't know which MM you have, but if it's a cheaper one, you might consider upgrading to the MMF-7 which is a very nice tt and comes all ready to go. If you're so inclined, before upgrading, I would try a Herbies mat on your current tt. It made an astounding improvement on my old MMF-5. I didn't like it on the Linn at all, but it was great on the MMF-5. That could make you happy while you search for a better table. Herbies offers money back on everything, so there's no risk, outside of a few bucks for shipping. Best of luck.

Neither

OK, some good insights, thanks guys. I have a MMF-2.2 right now and a Marantz 6100. The MMF is the main daily TT. I have both a Linn and a VPI locally available. The VPI is one of the older models has some upgrades, including a REGA arm (not sure which one). Asking price is $1,500 and would accpet my MMF as a part of the trade/sell.
In that price range I also looked at the Marantz 15s1 which es essentially a Clearaudio TT with some improvements and a great cartridge.

IF NEITHER - could you suggest what to consider?

I recently looked at selling my LP12 and looked at VPI-Rega-ClearAudio and Project. All with rather poor representation in my area. But when listening at one store whom had a Rega P3 and a VPI Scout nesxte to each other I really preffered the rega sound. But that dealer is as ecentric as the first stone wheel too! I really don't think the VPI was set up correctly. At the end of the story I kept my LP12 and unless I find something that excites me I will keep it. It seems that they forever upgradeable. I just heard the new DC power supply and Phonostage at my local dealer and it....incredible. But he has all the latest on it and it sounded great before but is better than anything I can recall hearding. Oh and before he tells me yechh! BW I know I know:)

I have both, I am a VPI dealer and I just bought a used Linn. Can't give a final answer because I am still getting the Linn properly set up. I disagree that the VPI is hard to set up, I have been setting them up since 1962,it seems to me that it is one of the simplest ones I have used. The unipivot arms are different but seem simpler to me than many of the standard arms. The Linn is harder but the difficulty was exaggerated in the past as part of the Linn "mystique". Worked on me, I sold other brands instead. The one I got has not been realigned since the 80s but sounded quite good. There are many good tables out there, buying used is the smart course. Something like the Thorens TD 126 or 125 are still good tables and can often be found relatively cheap. Just get a better mat. I find it hard to give general recommendations as buying used is a case by case thing depending on condition, arm , etc. Stan