Vpi 19mkIV or linn sondek 12

Well, I've owned the Linn LP12, and currently own a VPI HW-19 Mk4 with a Rega RB900 arm. For the most part, the Linn was a major pain in the a.. to keep "tuned", whereas the HW-19 Mk4 is easy to set up and just sails along making great music. I also found that the HW-19 is not nearly as finicky about where it is placed. Based on my own experience, I would not consider buying a Linn when there are so many other good turntables on the market (Basis, Oracle, Rega, etc.)

For the 1200 range, I recommend a rega 25. That's what I have. A friend of mine who's a turntable guru said I should stick with that instead of 'moving up' to a Linn. Another who has owned both commented that the Linn was very frustrating because it constantly went out of whack while his Rega 25 was set and forget. I've used mine for six months now and have never needed to adjust it. I use it with the super-elys cartridge/ARC PH-3/BAT vk5i/Virgos and get excellent sound. Blows my $3000 Sony XA7ES CD player out of the water. I might upgrade to a planar 9 someday, but frankly I don't see any need for improvement.

alright people are going to start thinking im bl@#%ing this guy i keep mentioning him so often but check out salvatore's site at http://www.high-endaudio.com/ and click on audio critique. from there you'll see 'recommended components' and you can read his thoughts on turntables, especially the linn vs. vpi.

Thanks for the input. Seems like Linn could be a pain. Looks like Salvatore is for the VPI. Any more opinions on VPI vs. Rega?