Linn or VPI

I haven't owned the TNT, but I did have an HW-19 jr. I switched to a Linn with Ittok & Lingo for the reason you suggested. I was thrilled with the VPI until I heard the Linn in my system. The dynamics of the VPI are superior to the Linn, but the Linn gives the music much more "life," thus, more musical. I also have a friend who gave up his TNT for a Linn.
That's my opinion. I think it is something you'll have to hear for yourself and decide what you prefer.

If i had to choose between these two tables, there is no doubt in my mind as to which direction i would head in. Personally, i would go for the VPI and never think twice about a Linn. Linn's are EXTREMELY tweaky and need someone that is willing to fidget with the table quite a bit, have very poor isolation from external vibrations, have a tendency to suffer from acoustic feedback when other tables stroll right down the same path unhindered, etc... I am basing this on my past experience with older Linn's from many moons ago, so take that into account.

As others have mentioned, there are several other alternatives to the tables that you are looking at. This is not to say that the VPI is a bad table, only that i think that you might be able to find alternatives that may be more appealing in the long run. I know that Albert likes the Basis / Graham combo and Twl has already commented on the Teres, which seems to be a nice design also. Personally, i am a fan of Sota tables for very specific reasons.

I would take a look at ALL of your options very carefully. With the amount of info and resources that we have nowadays with the internet, one is no longer at the mercy of local dealers trying to "pimp" their products, possibly at your long term expense. Sean
>

I'm curious why you have limited yourself to Linn and VPI? There are many excellent turntable choices these days. The big drawback to the Linn has always been the set-up issue. I personally would not want to rely on someone else to keep my table in tune. Linn is the only one I'm familar with that has this problem. In this digital age anyone wishing to spin records would be well advised to learn how to do their own set-up and tweeking. My first "real" table and arm was a Linn. Since then I've owned Sota, VPI, Well Tempered Classic, and for many years now have been very pleased with my Well Tempered Reference. While the Linn is an excellent table I believe it has long been surpassed by many other brands. If you want to stick with VPI you might give serious thought to the Aries, which has a much smaller footprint and is easier to set-up.

I'm in total agreement with Ncarv. I own a LP12/lingo/arro/troika, no circus bearing, no trampoline. I've listened extensivly to Basis and VPI tables with various arms including Grahams and JW Memorials. And on some particulars they can and do better than the LP12. However none are as overall lively and musical. I've listened to these and other tables over the last 10 years and I still haven't heard one better enough for me to replace my LP12, although a loaded VPI can sound pretty damm wonderful. The LP12 being a little touchy? yeah. Do all it's upgrades make it better? No. The Arro tone arm (IMO) was the best upgrade ever. The timbre justs really hits the mark and it is so so much cleaner than Ittok I had and the Ekos I tried. And it will sound dramatically different on different stands, shelves, furniture, whatever. If it's on something to heavy, you'll hear the cat walking on the other side of the house. Too soft or pliable and you'll lose your top end.
But with all this said, it still has it's magic. I suggest you take the some samples of the music you will tend to listen to most on vinyl and give a listen on each. I tend to think if you lean more toward classical or real light stuff, you'll like the VPI better. But for rock, blues and old soul, you'll go for the magic.

I have a full blown lp12 at home and I just got a Aries Scout for my office at work. What can I say? Vinyl is the way to go!
Have fun,
Sam