Linn vs VPI?

As the MM comes with a felt mat, I just got the thinnest one. The one you would use for a Linn. I bet you will be really surprised at the improvement.

I have had both a Linn Axis, an LP12 and a highly modified VPI HW19 - I liked the VPI better in the long road with MC cartridges.

Syntax: I am curious which VPI's in what combination are you referring to that you feel beat a loaded LP12?

thanks guys i will try the thinnest and let you know what happened

I've owned an LP12 for 25 years and it has been through a number of upgrades, most recently six years ago with Cirkus, Lingo, Ekos arm and Akiva cartridge. I like how it sounds, especially the Akiva's ability to quiet the level of surface noise. It's part of a larger home theater system and includes a Clearaudio Balance phono stage, Classé SSP-60 running in balanced bypass for the phono input, Classé CA-5200 amplifier and Revel Performa F-30's. Wires are MIT CVT Terminator running balanced from the Clearaudio into the SSP-60, Transparent Music Link balanced from the SSP-60 to the CA-5200, and Tributaries Bi-Wire from the CA-5200 to the Revels. I wouldn't call this system overly analytic, etched or otherwise in need of taming as Syntax suggests as a good task for an LP12. To my ears it gives a satisfying and musical experience, which I feel is about the most we can hope our systems will do for us. Nonetheless I'm curious what would happen if I mounted the Akiva on a VPI Classic and then plugged that into the system. I don't have the foggiest idea now, but it will be my next adventure to find out. Cheers to all!