Hello, I am a noob here and a bit of a noob in the hifi world too. I had the choice of a VPI or a LP12. I took the LP12 becaust it had a valhalla power supply, Ittok II arm and a Troika cartrage.
being quite young at the time I got it almost 10 years ago, (25) I should have went with the VPI simply dur to the fact that in that time I have had 8 house moves, lots of drunk parties, a bunch of mishaps removing the lid etc. I'm sure it's all out of whack but I am still in the process of settling and the speakers are off getting repaired anyway.
The suspension system is very delicate and I think I would have prefered the VPI. Still sounds great though.