Turntable upgrade: What to do?

You don't mention having had the Circus bearing upgrade. Ihave the new/latest Lingo P/S and if you go for the bearing upgrade too, you will have a mighty fine turntable as described in other postings

I had a Linn LP for 15 years and went through the upgrade path to cirkus bearing, lingo power supply, switched from Itok to ekos tonearm, etc. The last cartridge I had in it, for about 6 months, was a van den hul Black Beauty.

I have since bought a TNT Mark V with JMW 12.5. Everything else in my system, including the cartridge, has remained the same.

I liked the Linn and was quite satisfied. I still think it sounded really good. But the new rig is really in an altogether different class. In particular, the bass extension is SO much better that I don't think I could live with a Linn again. (Yes,the Linn was set-up by a Linn technician and the bounce was right on.)

While the Linn was "musical", the new rig has a more complex and yet more natural and authoritative sound. I hear more, and it is dead quiet. I listen exclusively to classical music and this new rig has been a revelation. I won't dump on the Linn, I was a fan for long time. But it is possible to do a LOT better.

Having drank the Ivor Koolaid myself for about 10 years, I now have a Teres 245, and it has the PRaT of a Linn, and wide response and digs deep into the fine detail. It is an excellent combination of sound quality that usually only comes with very expensive tables. The price is very reasonable for the performance level, and you can get it fully assembled, or a DIY kit. Very good value.

I had the Linn LP12 over a few years with the upgrades and switched to the VPI Aries. The sound was more dynamic and the Aries was easier to set up and stay in tune. Both tables are no slouch but I always felt the sound was a slight bit compressed. I now have the Nottingham Spacedeck/Anna arm/Benz Ruby2. This is a major upgrade. Big dynamics, soundstage and very musical and nonfatigueing. The Aries and the Linn also seemed a bit on the bright side compared to the rich tone of the Nottingham. This is a great looking turntable also. Rock solid

There is no doubt that a Linn LP12 has a knack for polarizing people.It is not the be all or end of TT's.It is very good (and fairly priced imo) for what it is. If you are happily dancing away to the music enjoy it.I know the VPI is good, the Clearaudio excellent but you don't own them.Get the bearing upgraded to Circus consider the Naim Aro tonearm.Above all enjoy.P.S.I own a lp12 anniversary table.