Linn LP12 vs. VPI Classic 1 and 3

Buy both, Polk432!
BTW, anyone compare the Linn Radikal vs. the VPI 3 or 4?
Thoughts..

Pani, I have to disagree with you. The VPI's and the Linn's are there to recreate the most accurate sound off the record. Simply by listening to the two, I believe one can formulate which is the more accurate and realistic to the "live". After all, isn't that we are all attempting to do with our gear choices?
The fact that in the UK people( according to you) don't really care about VPI, doesn't invalidate their products one bit, at least IMHO. Don't get me wrong, I think the Linn is a great table, however it is getting a little long in the tooth and I believe can be bettered. The question is- can it be bettered by these VPI tables?

Daveyf, you are right and that is the ideal case. However, since you are asking for opinions on forums, I just wanted to point out that different forums favour different products. And that happens because there are different schools of thought on the subject of music reproduction. Everyone's reference is after all live instruments and voices but because absolute reference cannot be reached each of them choose a different sets of compromises. Hence what the UK guys think is the best compromise is typically different from the US school or say that of the Japanese school. If you can hear the products side by side then you dont need to think too much about these schools but if forums play significantly in your quest then you may want to talk to different forums at the same time to get a wider perspective IMO.

Pani, I agree with what you say. I ask the question on this forum to see what the
consensus of opinion on this forum will be. OTOH, I can assure you that I NEVER
buy any audio gear unless I have heard it in my own system and room first,
regardless of the hype or publicity it receives on forum's or elsewhere. I have
been an a'phile for abut 40 years; one of the very first things I learned was
how important listening in your own room is when buying audio gear. I also
concur that music, and the perception of same, is definitely in the ear of the
beholder.

I would take a properly set up Linn over almost any other table.... but the key word here is properly set up. I can't do it, and the guy who used to do it for me has passed away. I've moved on to a Well Temepered Simplex which I am really enjoying especially because the easy setup make it possible for me to try out a bunch of cartridges. No alignment hassles ever. Awesome.

it's been a vey long while since I heard a VPI. Unfortunately it was a poor demo so the VPI was off my list. I wound up with a Linn LP 12, with an Ekos II arm, Arkiv B cartridge and Lingo power supply.

This past summer I thought my LP 12 really was only sounding fair. I had it tuned up by my Linn guru, and it once again had a sparkle.

I am intrigued by the Classic 2 table, though, but haven't heard it. I would welcome the chance to compare the two as all in all, the Classic 2 appears to be a good value as such things go. The idea of mating it with perhaps a Soundsmith cartridge is even more interesting.

My one question for VPI users is do they still hum with moving iron cartridges? I once heard a set up with a Grado cartridge which although highly musical, by the time the arm got near the inner grooves, the hum easily broke through the music to an objectionable level.