The nicest one, Audio consulting meteor. A beauty!
I’m detecting thread drift now …
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That is revolting! A wooden blob on a concrete lump on fake marble legs.
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No, it’s Goldorack.
Another way of looking at this is that the turntable can survive upgrades elsewhere in the system. I’ve had my current LP12 since the mid-90’s, when I was using a NAC82, NAP180, SBL combination. Ok, it may be like the ship of Theseus, but that does mean it never needs to be discarded and replaced.
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Nothing wrong with being tempted by the Linn upgrades
One doesn’t have to take them up
They just keep the competition at bay 
I’ll be off now ha
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Makes a nice change from calling it Triggers broom, which was hardly original thinking.
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There’s a few interesting decks around for the price of half a Solstice. Best to go listen to a few.
Your Avids, Nottinghams, Roksan/Vertere, The Rega 10, what have you.
A bit more off the mainstream are
The PTP idler drive, based on an old Lenco comes in under that, add a Schröder CB or BA arm and you have a very musical deck.
Well Tempered’s Versalex has tempted a few long term Linn fans away from the fold to my knowledge but only just fits on a Fraim shelf (or I might have bought one).
And an oddball from a mainstream name
The Thorens 124DD looks an intriguing package, though I’ve not heard one. I do run an SPU cartridge and it’s very addictive.
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On relative merits of upgrades…
Mine was stock from 1986, until 2021. It played beautifully and was 100% reliable all those years. Recently decided to add a host of upgrades and it is now just another level. FWIW, it was more than worthwhile.
Comparative statements…
Previously, as stock, my LP12 sounded about on a par with our other sources - Rega RP6 + Ania Pro and CD5XS - albeit different presentation. But now, the LP12 is our best source, by far, and is just sublime.
Following the upgrade work, when collecting from the dealer, I had the opportunity to listen to it, set up with SN3 + PMC twenty5 23i. Then for fun, added SL and then SL + HCDR. The addition of the SL was a significant step up (compared with my Rega Aria). If funds permit someday, we may add SL into our system.
Hope that helps OP?
Do try and demo the combinations you’re interested in.
Enjoy the journey.
KR
R
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It could be solid gold, it doesn’t make it look any better.
Recently a Nait XS3 was able to highlight where my Majik+ level LP12 could do with some upgrades.
It is more than fine with the CB Nait 2, using the built-in MM phono stages of the respective amps (which are pretty good in their own right).
So I would take it a SN3 could do with at least an Akurate level LP12 for a balanced combo.
Very helpful, thanks ratrat.
Demo time for me I reckon!
No problem. You’re very welcome.
Enjoy the journey.
When I recently spent the afternoon listening to my updated LP12 → SL + HCDR → SN3 → PMC twenty5 23i, I thought how well balanced, articulate, musical, this system was. It really showed what my updated LP12 could produce. It’s a super system, in my honest opinion. It could be all the vinyl music making a person could want.
A few ideas for you to consider, if you pursue LP12 options…
Akurate is a great package. I’ve looked at this in the past, as a complete whole. However, Instead, I chose to work with my basic model, before upgrading with mostly Akurate options. Mine is now close to Akurate. Let’s say a version of Akurate. (Difference being Ittok LVII tonearm and Troika MC cartridge). (Note : Some might say a good Ittok or maybe Ekos2 is preferred to new Akito. But, that’s another debate, not for here.)
So, buying the Akurate package new or ex demo is obviously straight forward. But another option for you is to take a basic LP12 or pre-loved LP12. Then pick and choose bits to add to it. Any good LP12 specialist can help you with this.
The reason you might do this is to save some cash along the way. Maybe the difference might be enough to add a HCDR to your SuperLine. Having experimented with adding a PSU to a SL, know this is a worthwhile step. So, worth considering this approach.
Also, it might be a good idea to develop a relationship with a local LP12 specialist. Their input, even if it’s just advice and occasional purchase (the odd upgrade) is worthwhile. Often their experience is invaluable.
(Sorry, cant comment on SME12A with a 309 tonearm. No experience of this).
Good luck
Do report back and share your thoughts.
KR
R
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Never heard of him! Joe 90, Pogles Wood or Fingerbobs and you may be in with a chance. 
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Billy I was asking you know the 1 new turntable produced by Naim here in Italy it costs 17,900 euros in the list from you to how many pounds they sell it. Down here they sell more Rega P8 and Thorens, As in my ears the MM moving magnet cartridges are better than MC
I have heard the Solstice package. I spent a morning at my dealer listening through a big pile of Naim electronics and a pair of YG Acoustics Carmel speakers - don’t know exactly which electrical things, but there were lots of 5’s.
It sounds very good, plenty to like about the sound, but the looks are not for me.
There is a whole thread on the forum about the Naim Solstice.
One piece of your system will always be the weakest link. Change that and a different piece of equipment will be the weakest link… and so-on. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. When you upgrade a component, get the best one you can afford and enjoy it… and so-on.
OP - I think either turntable will produce audible improvements in your system. And if you subscribe to the “source first” philosophy then your upgraded turntable should make an enormous improvement.
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Source first has his limits. In Naim range, Cd5i goes with Nait 5i, Nait XS.
Cd5xs with 112/150, 202/200. Cdx2 with 282/250. Cdx2/ XPS, CDS3 with 252/300. CD555 with 552/500.
A system has to be balanced. A 20k source on 3k electronics is just not logical.
This source first logic in all circumstances has raised recently in the forum, because people want to decrease the box count.
People want to have the best system and the minimum number of boxes. So they try to justify after that an SN3 is enough to pair with a Linn Klimax or Nd555. It’s a big mistake.
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