Linn Sondek LP12

I bought my LP12 around 1994. Over the next six year I did every available upgrade to it. And then for the next thirteen years I just enjoyed it. Last year I took it in for a new cartridge and tune up. They brought it completely up to date and made it better than ever. 
The LP12 is a very well balanced design. Other 'tables might exceed it in rhythm and timing, extension, or background noise level, but the Linn consistently delivers the music from the grooves with all of those qualities in spades. 
The only piece of audio equipment I still have and use from that period is the HD600's, and you can't take them in and get the HD800 parts put in for a nominal charge. 
Buy a used one, get it set up by a pro, and never look back.

Stereophile did say it all when it declared it the #1 hot product in its 40 years as an Audio equipment review magazine in 2002. Still today, it is the standard others compare to.