Linn has not stopped upgrading the venerable Linn LP12 turntable.
It was way back in 1993 that Linn introduced the Cirkus bearing upgrade. On March 6, Linn launched its latest bearing upgrade, the Karousel, at Music Matters in Seattle Definitive.
From Linn’s website: Karousel, Linn’s new precision-engineered single-point bearing, offers smoother rotation and greater stability for even better sound from your Sondek LP12.
This innovative new take on our original bearing design has been made possible by technological developments in material science, machining capabilities and mechanical engineering expertise gained from almost half a century of designing and manufacturing the world’s best turntable. That vital union between the platter, spindle, bearing and sub-chassis is now the strongest we’ve ever achieved.
A new diamond-like carbon coating inside the bearing reduces friction between the tip of the spindle and the base of the bearing itself. This reduces the ‘noise floor’ of the turntable, so improves musical reproduction.
The substantial lock-nut fastening on the stainless steel housing increases rigidity at the critical point where bearing and sub-chassis come together. Enhancements to the base of the bearing include a stronger housing for the thrust pad, combined with a smaller, stiffer coated form, to improve the critical area that supports the platter rotation and mass, meaning your vinyl reproduction is more accurate and detailed than ever before.
With Karousel the reduction in friction means that not only will this critical component have a greater lifespan, but your LP12 will continue to give you incredibly accurate listening pleasure for longer than ever before.
The bearing kit includes the Karousel bearing, the inner platter and spindle, springs and grommets. The kit costs £750 and will be available from March 23.
The second announcement from Linn is that the plinths are now available in a wide range of colours in high-gloss. The standard wood finishes are now also available in high gloss, along with the Piano Black and High Gloss White.
And to make your Linn LP12 even more unique, you can now choose to monogram your turntable if you opt for the Keel sub-chassis upgrade. You get to choose up to 4 letters to be laser-etched onto the armboard.
