The Phase Linear table was outstanding. Great arm, a completely different animal then the one that Pioneer used. The linear tracking does make the turntable easy to set up and of course eliminates the anti skate debate, but that doesn't mean it is a better sounding table.
Now that the Yamaha is dead, you should find a good turnable that you can easily change arms with. Personally I use a Dual 1229 with a Grace 747. I love, but changing the arm is a drag. Thorens TD-124 is spectactular in this regard. Great (possibly the best) platform and those arm boards are a snap to remove and change tonearms with. You will have greater flexiblity with a pivot arm table. My two cents.
Now that the Yamaha is dead, you should find a good turnable that you can easily change arms with. Personally I use a Dual 1229 with a Grace 747. I love, but changing the arm is a drag. Thorens TD-124 is spectactular in this regard. Great (possibly the best) platform and those arm boards are a snap to remove and change tonearms with. You will have greater flexiblity with a pivot arm table. My two cents.