The LP12 is almost 50 years old, yet it has never looked so young. This is because its creators regularly offer adaptation kits that give it a real boost every time. The latest is the Karousel, Linn’s first bearing upgrade in 27 years. To call it an event is therefore an understatement. Of course, this kit has been compatible with all LP12s from the outset, and has been integrated into all new LP12s sold since the start of the school year. A little semantic wink: the definition of revolution is the rotation of a body around its central axis. So yes, dear readers, the Karousel is indeed a revolution… Welcome the LINN Karousel!
What made the Sondek LP12 turntable such a worldwide success was not only the fact that it was the first real turntable to make so much music, nor the fact that its creator succeeded in making the audiophile community understand that the source was paramount, it is above all that this product is still as high-performance and avant-garde as ever, almost 50 years after its creation. And if this turntable is still a benchmark, it’s simply because its creators have succeeded in making it evolve year after year, so that it retains its attraction.
If you’ve been reading VUmètre for a few years now, you’ll know perfectly well that the author of these lines has a very special relationship with the LP12; undeniably addictive… I’ve been lucky enough to own many different turntables, some excellent ones, but this one is quite special because it sings so beautifully and uniquely. I have to admit that once you’ve bought into its musicality, it’s hard to move on. And the knowledge that we can regularly improve it to explore even deeper into the grooves of our precious black wafers is an argument of the first order. Since I’ve owned mine, I’ve already changed the power supply twice, and gone through various other modifications. The innovative new Karousel bearing is, on paper, a significant improvement that has been the talk of the town long before it was heard. My “linnist” friends warned me: “A €6,000 LP12 without the LINN Karousel gets ripped off by a €3,000 Majik LP12 with Karousel.” Oufffff! What pressure!
But what exactly is the LINN Karousel?
The first task of a turntable is to turn a platter without the slightest variation in speed. Since we’re dealing with moving mechanical parts, friction control must be optimal. At the heart of rotational stability, Linn considers the bearing to be fundamental. The single-point bearing invented by founder Ivor Tiefenbrun, combined with suspended-design sound insulation, were the foundations on which Linn was built in 1973. The concept even inspired the Linn company logo.
A testament to its revolutionary design, the basic principles of the bearing have remained much the same, and Karousel is only the third evolution of this design in almost fifty years. This innovative improvement has been made possible by technological advances in materials science and machining capabilities, as well as the mechanical engineering expertise acquired over almost half a century of designing and manufacturing this turntable. Let’s not forget that, before being a renowned manufacturer of hi-fi equipment, Linn is above all a remarkable provider of mechanical engineering services. From the outset and over the years, the Scots have equipped themselves with the best machinery available in the field.
Advances in design combined with a new selection of materials in critical parts of the bearing allow smoother rotation for better sound. The pivot is better supported thanks to improved bearing tolerances, and the Diamond-Like Carbon coating deposited on the contact point reduces friction, thus improving the turntable’s “background noise” and, consequently, music reproduction.
A stronger coupling has been achieved between the platter, pivot, bearing box and subframe, thanks to the stainless steel material chosen and the new design implemented. A key element of this new design is the substantial locknut fastening, which increases rigidity over what was previously the weakest point. A stronger well and contact point compartment, combined with a smaller, stiffer shape and the new coating, improves the critical area that supports the rotation and mass of the platter. The combination of these changes leads to reduced noise for more accurate vinyl reproduction.
LINN Karousel’s reduced friction also means that it will last longer and continue to deliver incredibly accurate listening pleasure at the highest level for much longer than before.
The new locknut fastening method means faster, easier removal and replacement without the need to remove the subframe, which affects the suspension/arm configuration. What’s more, the contact point cap is now removable, enabling the critical surface of the bearing pad to be drained, cleaned and closely inspected without removing it completely from the LP12.
The set up
This update must be installed by an authorized dealer, as it requires not only expertise, but also careful attention to optimization. Your LINN Karousel specialist will be able to do an excellent job. Once the Karousel has been installed, the technician will make the final adjustments to ensure that the kit is impeccably functional. The kit includes the Karousel well/pivot assembly, the inner tray and all necessary fixings. The overall budget for installation, including all parts, is around €1,000.
The sound
We’re no strangers to upgrades offered by the Scottish manufacturer on its historic turntable. We’ve had the opportunity to do it ourselves many times, and each time we’ve seen significant gains in performance. The LINN Karousel is the first bearing upgrade in thirty years. Its reputation preceded its listening, which is surprising given the youth of this offering. We had the Karousel kit installed on our LP12 Lingo 2/Ittok/Linto, which we know perfectly well. We have to confess that the difference in sound quality is truly impressive. All the enthusiasts who were able to upgrade before us told us how impressed they were. The same goes for us.
The very first sensation that comes to mind is that the music is really there. The impression of proximity to the content of the disc is multiplied tenfold. Before the LINN Karousel, the performance was very good. With Karousel, the boundaries are considerably blurred. You really feel immersed in the musical flow. The very special character of the LP12 is fully preserved. This turntable remains above all a vehicle for musical emotion. But with the Karousel, precision is greatly enhanced at every level. The bandwidth becomes exhaustive, with a bass that’s firmer, denser and less monolithic. It contains an astonishing amount of information, which is easily perceived on a double bass.
At the other end of the spectrum, the high register is much brighter and more open. It was already a success, but here it retains this lovely brilliance, combined with greater variety. Dynamic behavior improves, mainly in the area of control. You get the feeling that nothing happens without the basic signal deviating by a millimeter. To be perfectly clear, the gap between an LP12 with or without Karousel and identical equipment is measured by listening to records you know perfectly well. On a classic of classics like Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue”, the differences are absolutely glaring. Whether in terms of the precision of the soundstage, the ambience or the listener’s involvement in the musical flow, everything changes for the better. And we still haven’t recovered from the quality of John Coltrane’s saxophone. On that score, we were stunned. He simply seemed to walk into the room between the speakers.
We had exactly the same type of sensation with a very old vinyl of Baroque music by Johann Sebastian Bach. The cantata BWV198 conducted by Philippe Herreweghe on Harmonia Mundi revealed all its secrets. This record, recorded and pressed in 1987, offered us the height of emotion. The positioning of the performers in space, the placement of the instruments, the exquisite melodic interpretation, the sublime tonal balance – yes, of course, we’re being dithyrambic, but it has to be heard to be fully appreciated.
Our conclusion
This upgrade is a major step forward for any LP12 turntable. In fact, the Karousel is now integrated in all LP 12s sold new since the beginning of the school year. For anyone who, like me, has owned this turntable for several years, the LINN Karousel kit is absolutely essential before considering any other upgrade. When you put the €1,000 budget and the resulting improvement in sound into perspective, it’s safe to say that the Karousel is probably the best value for money upgrade Linn has offered in many, many years.
Author: Laurent Thorin
Technical sheet: LINN Karousel
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