Elephantears
Trunkated Aesthete
People are entitled to recommend the Sondek to a new turntable enthusiast, and others are entitled to advise caution about it, or make other recommendations. If you don't think something is worth the money, why not say so? No hard feelings.
Absolutely, you should certainly state your case, I'm just suggesting that you post the long argument above on your own thread. That way it is searchable in the archive, and it allows others to respond to it clearly. Otherwise you might be accused of hiding your argument in the undergrowth of recommendation threads, at least on pinkish (if not on the Linn champagne-drinkers forum).
Also, I would be interested in more information about your improvised tether, and how it compares with all the interesting non-Linn products for modifying the sub-chassis etc.