I have gone insane, need help

I have heard most of of the tables you are looking at. I think the Linn is the table to have if it's in your budget. The other tables should cost much less with the exception of the Thorens 124. I'm not personally sold on the rim drive method of the Thorens 124 but there is a new following of that technology. I have a manufacturing friend that tells me I really need to give the rim drive another listen because the idler wheels that are available now are better than technology 50+ years ago. That table with an SME 3009 was a very good combo in it's day and is today but will it beat out the Linn? Hmmm. I believe in the suspension tables. Almost all the other tables you have on the list are direct drive tables for hard suspension belt drives. I think they are very good but they are more mid fi with a couple exceptions like the TD 160 which can sound really good with the stock arm and right cartridge.

I like tables with a 3 or 4 point suspension. Yes, it shakes for a few moments after I set the arm down but it only last about 2 to 5 seconds if that long and it is more silent than the tables I have listend to without suspensions. I enjoyed my Sota Sapphire I owned during the 80's. You could literally take your fist and hit it on the sides and the needle wouldn't miss a beat. Try that on todays non suspended tables. I think the Linn if set up properly will yield the best soundstage, depth and presentation. Second the Thorens then the Thorens TD 160, 165, and so on.

IMHO, if you go Linn you need to consider the Naim Audio mod's for it. My Linn LP12 now sounds its best with a Naim Armegeddon power supply and Naim Aro tonearm; much better than the Lingo/Ekos configuration. At this point, my Lp12 is the last thing that will change in my system. Good luck!

You should go into Rehab to tame down this addiction of yours. I'll send you a link where you can sign up. Be sure to pick the second batch so we can meet there.

Seriously speaking, Since you give credit to the design philosophies involved and If these were mine I could trim it down to 3.

1. suspended: linn or thorens 160 series
2. Direct drive: technics 1200
3. Rim/idler drive: thorens 124

Time will come when you know which one you can let go.

For some insight on the Thorens TD124, go to Stereophiles website and do a search for Art Dudley's columns on his meticulous restoration of a TD124. He certainly didn't start with NOS in the box, yet he has abandoned all his previous TTs in favor of it. YMMV of course, but the articles are informative and enlightening just the same.

I concur with the idea of keeping this one and getting a good 12" arm for it.

Get the GSXR1000. You know you want it.