Radikal Linn LP12 or Palmer 2.5?

I really can't image comparing the Linn to the Palmer - they are both good decks but have completely different strengths and weaknesses.  To be fair, I am not an owner or a fan of either but I have spent a considerable amount of time with both and feel I understand the characteristics of both turntable designs.

The Linn has been covered in Agon and other forums ad nauseam so I don't need to regurgitate any of those discussions here.

The Palmer is a beautiful turntable and while the manufacturer claims to be based on Tom Fletcher's designs, this model violates almost all of Tom's intended principles of turntable design.  IMO if you want a Fletcher turntable you should look at Pear Audio, Tom's last venture before his demise or Nottingham, his original designs.

Full disclosure - I was formerly a dealer for Pear Audio and still own three Pear Audio Blue turntables.  As a dealer I received more than one Palmer turntable in trade towards a Pear Audio deck and in every case the customer was very happy with the upgrade.

latenitecity, I have only seen and heard the Feikert table (Woodpecker?) at a show several years ago.  It was a very beautiful table but my impression was that the wide drive belt was a little noisy.  Maybe the metal top plate was a little resonant; I don't know.

The demo also used a Jelco tonearm.  While the SA-750D is/was a good tonearm I would have expected something a little higher-end on this deck, considering the market position and price-point.

If DD is the way to go I would suggest looking for the best Luxman PD-441 you can find.  These sound and look great and are easy and affordable to restore, if needed.  New arm boards are available and you can mount pretty much whatever tonearm(s) you wish.  IMO this beats any of the new overpriced DD decks for a fraction of the price.