Linn vs VPI?

Great stuff guys, keep it coming!

i bought a new scoutmaster for a great price and it is the first turntable i've ever owned*. it was super easy to setup, even for a novice like me. granted, an "expert" may have done better, but i'm getting fabulous sound out of it despite being a vinyl noob.

*i bought a used rega planar 3 about five years ago in a vague attempt to try out vinyl, but i never bothered to really try to set it up properly, so i don't count this as turntable ownership. :)

If you travel to a Linn dealer and he sets it up really well, then you drive it home, it will not loose anything. I think given a proper set up the Linn beats the VPI in warmth and transparency with acoustic instruments. If you are a rock 'n roller and love synthesizers and drum machines, get the VPI.

I just got my VPI HW-19 setup and running and one of the first things i noticed as i played my reference album (Apostrophe, Zappa) was the much greater bass than the Xpression. Also a much deeper soundstage. And it sounds louder, normal was 9 o'clock on the dial now i got it backed off to 8.

Gotta love this hobby

I've had a 25th anniversary LP12 for about 10 years and I'm really pleased with it. I have not heard the VPI so I cannot comment on that. I auditioned a number of turntables at the time including the Michell Gyrodec and Orbe and Pink Triangle PT Too - the Linn bettered all of these. I have the Lingo power supply, Ekos arm and Arkiv cartridge - vintage stuff these days. One of the things I like about Linn is how their equipment can be upgraded although it's not cheap. There are plenty of ways I can improve my deck. By the way, I have just got an Akurate DS and, whilst this sounds fantastic, it still does not measure up to the LP12.