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Linn LP12 - Install NOS Cirkus bearing, Stack Audio Tenor sub chassis, baseboard, braces.

Old Guy8 said:
Back on topic:

Can the Cirkus bearing be used without Cirkus sub chassis? So with "pre-Cirkus sub chassis, I assume is on my 1983 LP12. (I made the big mistake of buying Cirkus bearing and inner platter without sub chassis.) I'm not buying a new whole Cirkus shebang kit, to just get missing sub chassis. I'll pitch the Cirkus bearing before that. And write off to learning experience. I'm irritated at myself, for not doing my homework, before hitting that ebay button.

Appears Cirkus sub chassis are being used with that Karassol bearing upgrade. Hence difficult to find.
Click to expand...

Either call a Linn dealer or email Linn.
Linn are pretty useful when it comes to stuff like this. Well, they used to be.
 
Have not contacted a dealer, yet.
I could be wrong. Appears pre-Cirkus sub chassis I have can be used with Cirkus bearing. If an adapter plate is added to increase depth of fastner engagement. For M4 x 10mm socket head cap screws for Cirkus mounting. May be less rigid than upgrading to Cirkus sub chassis.

Or I could update to one of many Linn or 3rd party, sub chassis's.

One I saw review of on another site. Stack Audio model Tenor sub chassis, at $236 to USA from UK. Assume plus tax. Machined aluminum.
No connection to Stack Audio.
 
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Try the cap screws from your old bearing. They should work. Personally, I would skip the Cirkus sub-chassis in favor of an aftermarket piece. Never heard of Stack Audio.

jeff
 
vinylkid58 said:
Try the cap screws from your old bearing. They should work. Personally, I would skip the Cirkus sub-chassis in favor of an aftermarket piece. Never heard of Stack Audio.

jeff
Click to expand...
Jeff,
Can you help me connect with any other 3rd party manufacturers of sub chassis? On the budget end of price ranges. And I would still use my 1983 Linn wood armboard. May change tonearm/armboard in future. Don't want to be limited to Linn arms.

My searches haven't been fruitful, except Stack and Mober.

The Stack Audio Tenor is machined aluminum. May be flatter than formed steel. Its a compatable drop in. Works with all three bearings. With bearing mounting plate for Cirkus or Karousal. And use Linn armboards. And also price seems reasonable, for a lp12 part.
Thanks
OG
 
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Old Guy8 said:
Did you get a look under the hood? Or was anything said by dealer about there being a sub-chassis, that Cirkus was attached to? Or was it attached directly to underside of deck?

EDIT:
Billyz's post about answers most of my following paragraph question mute..

To all readers:
There are a few sub-chassis, I see online. Some have integrated armboards, for various arm mounting needs. I don't know when early sub-chassis was introduced. Did power supplies have to move to external box before room for sub-chassis to be introduced?
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The Move to external Power supplies was due to the larger size of the power supplies and they would not fit under the chassis. I have the Valhalla mounted to the underside of my Keel Klone ( Greenstreet ) subchassis.
 
billyz said:
The Greenstreet Subchassis is a massive improvement over anything but the Linn Keel Subchassis. The Integral Arm board is a huge plus for the Sound.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
I ran across a thread on a forum called Pink Fish Media. A thread reviewing a sub chassis upgrade on lp12. One view on that thread was this. Having the armboard not integral to sub chassis, doesn't commit you to only Linn mount arms. Along with the added cost of some of the larger sub chassis. I'd like to limit my budget on sub chassis closer to $300 rather than pushing $1k.

I'll paraphrase a post I've read, on Linn upgrade paths. It's as much about the budget path.

Personally, I'm starting with a little over $1k deck. Only update since '83 has been Valhala recap. It may get its Basik LVX arm upgraded later. I backed into this Bearing upgrade. Not realizing Cirkus bearing would effect a sub chassis change. I do plan on new springs and grommets set. (Nor did I plan on how much the associated Linn parts might cost. And I had a career working in a batch manufacturing facility. Included various CNC machining operations, alike used on these sub chassis, bearings or platters. Not rocket science. My 2 cents only)

I've not heard a new Linn Majik, to get idea of how a modern $5k Linn sounds. I'm not going to make an appointment with a dealer to hear one, implying I might buy one. Not fair to them, to waste thier time.
 
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I thoroughly enjoyed my LP12 prior to the Greenstreet Subchassis . One of the best improvements was to replace the Felt mat with the Achromat . First I tried the Herbies and it is a definite improvement, but I found it left marks on the vinyl if I left the LP sit on the mat for too long. The Achromat sounds even better than the Herbies and no marks. I have a 1984 model LP12, Non Cirkus bearing, with Ittok and Valhalla. I had the Vahalla rebuilt and improved, it is all I need in a power supply.
 
billyz said:
I thoroughly enjoyed my LP12 prior to the Greenstreet Subchassis . One of the best improvements was to replace the Felt mat with the Achromat . First I tried the Herbies and it is a definite improvement, but I found it left marks on the vinyl if I left the LP sit on the mat for too long. The Achromat sounds even better than the Herbies and no marks. I have a 1984 model LP12, Non Cirkus bearing, with Ittok and Valhalla. I had the Vahalla rebuilt and improved, it is all I need in a power supply.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
So yours started about
where mine is.
I have a generic cork rubber mat about 3mm, with
.5mm recess, #DM-207, from My Needle Store.
I'll check out Achromat. Not familiar with.


20211029_112152.jpg

https://stackaudio.co.uk/product/alto-sub-chassis/
This is Stack's middle priced model Alto, aluminum honeycomb sub chassis at about $420. They claim to have designed to balance weight.. Another upgrade option. I've not read any independent reviews on it.
I've No connection.
 
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Where's a good source for replacement suspension springs and grommets kit? Are there springs more desirable? Don't know how old mine are. Know older than 6 years, I've had TT. Am I missing something on suspension or other, that might have aged. Should be replaced when rebuilding?

For rebuild:
I'll have Cirkus bearing next week.
Yet to decide on sub chassis. How much to spend.
Spring kit needed.
Order Bearing oil

I have table with cutout for lp12 access.

Use talc on grommets?
 
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Old Guy8 said:
Where's a good source for replacement suspension springs and grommets kit? Are there springs more desirable? Don't know how old mine are. Know older than 6 years, I've had TT. Am I missing something on suspension or other, that might have aged. Should be replaced when rebuilding?

For rebuild:
I'll have Cirkus bearing next week.
Yet to decide on sub chassis. How much to spend.
Spring kit needed.

I have table with cutout for access.

Use talc on grommets?
Click to expand...

Certain sub chassis bearings require stiffer springs because of the extra weight. I would think that your springs would be fine with the Cirkus bearing and inner platter.
 
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