Vpi 19mkIV or linn sondek 12

Well, I've owned the Linn LP12, and currently own a VPI HW-19 Mk4 with a Rega RB900 arm. For the most part, the Linn was a major pain in the a.. to keep "tuned", whereas the HW-19 Mk4 is easy to set up and just sails along making great music. I also found that the HW-19 is not nearly as finicky about where it is placed. Based on my own experience, I would not consider buying a Linn when there are so many other good turntables on the market (Basis, Oracle, Rega, etc.)

With due respect to Kitch29, the only TT in the HW-19 series that does NOT have a suspension is the 'Junior'. It isn't "suspended" in the usual sense -- it sits on vibration-controlling pucks. Once you upgrade beyond the 'Junior', the HW-19's have spring suspension systems. The upgrades to the HW-19 Mk3 and Mk4 involve heavier platters, with corresponding changes to the springs and to the platter bearing (the Mk4 version, for example, uses the same thrust bearing as the more expensive TNT series of TT's).