Linn or VPI

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

Thanks for the info. I'm very impressed by the level of input +info that you'all have so kindly provided.The reason I limited myself to Linn+VPI is that I have friends who own both+both attest that theirs sounds better. I live in a rural area+don't have the ability to audition allot of gear. So far the only thing I disagree with is that the Linn is sensitive to vibration...I've jumped up+down next to his Linn in his listening room I even tapped the Linn while it's playing +no skipping etc. And he's had the Linn just a few feet away from his spkrs at full volume +no problems. It seems that the Linn is a simplier "older" style while the TNT is "newer" technology +looks real cool!
Some of the other tables mentioned I'm concerned that they will be in business yrs from now or would we own another boat anchor?

VPI scout is the best I have heard for the money. Not to say it will be better than your origenal set up.Just to say I have tried. The Rega,Basis,Clearaudio. The Vpi was the better of them