@Skeptikal It sure does! 
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sorry I’m missing something. The Kore was bigger? What exactly did you upgrade?
I upgraded from Radikal 1 to Radikal 2 and also changed to a kore subchassis. When I say bigger, I’m referring to the scale of the sound… there’s now lots more of it!
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I have an LP12 Majik with the last model Ittok (3) and an Audio Technica 760 into a Nait 50 and Focal 926. I am doing a very lightly used Kore with the Karousel this summer and was planning on waiting a couple years then doing a lingo 4 and calling it a day. Now with this Linn upgrade special I am sitting here wondering if doing the standard Radikal might be the way to go.
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The Karousel is a very good upgrade in itself, @KenRose, which I’m sure you’ll love, but if you could push to a ‘used’ Radikal 2 instead of a new Lingo 4, I’m sure you’re going to be impressed. Whilst I’ve never heard a lingo 4, the Radikal 1 was above it in Linn’s tiering and the Radikal 2 is definitely better.
From my experience, the Radikal 2 and Kore have transformed my deck. As good as it was before with Rad 1 and majik, it wasn’t a patch on how it sounds now. Which one has made the most difference, I don’t know, but together they have certainly made a very large difference!
It is hard to explain, but seems to have brought out loads more clarity and focus of all the elements that make up a song. Not so much the detail (even though I’m hearing new parts for the first time) but just how clear they all sound in isolation instead of it being mashed together within the tune. Because of this, everything sounds much more realistic and 3 dimensional. I’m impressed.
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Don’t forget the massively lowered noise floor!
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Just wanted to come back to you on this one @Rooster . The reason for it only having 60hrs on the Delos, is I’d largely stopped listening to my vinyl over this last 6-9 months, as I’d got a little disconnected from it. Other stuff got in the way, hence why I’d wanted to upgrade to re-ignite my connection with my system again. So, know that it seems odd, but that’s why it has so few hours on it. Anyway, I no longer see that being a problem!
With regards to your other suggestions, I do have a Linn Matt, but swapped it for the Collaro. I definitely prefer the Collaro matt. The other point was the speaker cable, which I agree isn’t Naca5, which I did have previously, but since moving things around in the room, I needed to replace with much longer runs of cable. The phantom cable came up used and was the perfect length. I’ve been happy with it to be fair in comparison to the Naca5. I’d need 18m of cable terminating, so it’s not the cheapest thing to just ‘test out’, as much as I get your point. To be honest, I’ve had Naca5 for years previously and whilst it sounds great, I hate hiding the stuff. It’s like wrestling a particularly difficult anaconda around your living room!
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Hi @KenRose
Just echoing @Storm1’s comments and I’ll chip in here from my own experience.
I have an LP12 with Kore, Karousel, Ittok with AT760 through a Nait50. It was originally powered by the Lingo4 which is excellent. And if you go with your original plan you will love the Karousel, L4 and Kore upgrades. The L4 is said to bring 80% of the Radikal1 and as such, it really is excellent value for money. I had this set up for almost 4 years and I never once felt disappointed or that it was lacking in any way.
In your shoes, I’d would either stick with plan A or push for a used Radikal2 which would take the sound to a whole other level but this obviously comes at a cost.
The Nait50 is a brilliant match for your LP12. It is able to highlight any improvements. If you are able to push your budget a little further and go for a Radikal2 you will be hearing a massive transformation from where you currently are. (Which is already a wonderful set up).
Which ever choice you go for, you are going to be thrilled with it. Ie you can’t go wrong and make a bad choice here, it’s more about how much are you willing to spend.
As you will know, wherever you are on the ‘Linn Ladder’, there’s always another improvement and diminishing returns kick in. You are in the territory where upgrade options will reap real sonic improvements and enjoyment that you will love.
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Thanks mate and absolutely fair enough, I kind of thought that for everything you’ve done there is a reason.
Personal. I’ve just found over many years the after market “upgrades” give some but take more away, it always and I mean always ends where i started well not quite cause my wallet usually is lighter. It’s just system balance. I’ve done witch hat interconnect thing done the upgrade speaker cable done the expensive titanium isolation points done the power cable blah blah, at the time great but then I find myself not listening then I know something has fallen out. Put the Naim kit back in and oh dear I just think this is why naim and the like have an in- House parts department.
On our local sale site here in New Zealand often you’ll find big naim systems are getting sold and the seller is also selling aftermarket accessories. Go figure.
Have fun 
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What to update next with LP12
Well, once you’ve spent the big money and invested in the LINN RAD II, some loose change will help you take the LP12 even further.
-
Silicone Mushrooms (Out with the springs, along with subsequent suspensions tune-ups. Largely stops the sub-chassis from twisting back-and-forth in relation to the motor torque - with the belt constantly loading and recoiling…)
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Silicone jointless BLUE BELT. (Stickier, able to run looser which conveys less motor noise to the platter…)
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Silicone Insert between cartridge and tonearm mount. (Stops the cartridge noise you can hear when the amp is off from flooding into the tonearm, polluting the precious phono signal…)
All cheap as chips, easily installed (step-by-step), easily reversible and loads of fun.
Very few revert.
While you enjoy this lot, start saving for a better sub-chassis.
(If you haven’t already upgraded the basic jobbie…)
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Would you not have to update the subchassis before the bearing?
My understanding is that the Karousel will not fit on my ancient ‘pressed & glued’ subchassis.
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There is now a special part spacer linn have made available to fit Karousel to old subchassis.
Why I don’t know but it is part number.
Linn Part No: MISS 894
LP12 specialists like @Cymbiosis will have no doubt. 
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Ah that is interesting………thx for the info
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Hi
You reminded me about that so you helped too
Thanks. 
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really appreciate your response, especially because you have such a similar system. This is certainly an emotional game and I’m trying to use my brain over my heart. I’m 58 and working to retire in 2 years so I’m balancing my wants vs the reality of setting myself up for retirement. I also want a new sofa and a 2005-2008 Porsche Cayman/Boxster as a retirement gift, possibly a Sub too lol. So unless something falls into my lap I think I’m going to do Plan A.
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The original (pre-Cirkus) subchassis is thinner than the “nubbies” on the Karousel, so it can’t be tightened.
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Hi @KenRose
We’re also a similar age then. You are effectively upgrading to Akurate level (with high spec MM rather than MC). I honestly think you will really enjoy the Karousel, L4 and Kore upgrades - they are excellent value for money and will transform the sound and your enjoyment. IMHO the Karousel is just a total no brainier for any LP12 owner without it.
Reading your response, I think Plan A makes a lot of sense! 
I’d love to hear back from you once you’ve had the upgrades done.
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Hi @KenRose , just hopping on the good advice message from @1GiantLeap .
All I can add to it, is if you can push and pick up a used Radikal 2, instead of a new Lingo 4, you would really notice a huge difference. The reason I say this, is I had the Radikal 1, which is a level beyond the Lingo 4 and the change to the Radikal 2, is (in hindsight) literally shocking how much better it is. What I thought was already great (which it is) literally doesn’t come anywhere close to the Radikal 2.
With used prices now dropping sharply with the latest and greatest Utopik update and Klimax Radikal 3 etc, used Radikal 2’s are now getting to be much more reasonable. The difference it makes is staggering. For my setup, it feels like the missing jigsaw piece has finally clicked into place.
Definitely worth enquiring about when you look at doing the Karousel and Kore!! If you can buy used Kore and possibly a used Karousel, it would help massively towards the funds for a Radikal 2!
I know how great mine now sounds with those just done this weekend and I can’t imagine anyone would not be impressed with it!
Hi Storm1, I’m very pleased you are so very happy 
In answer to your observations I have quoted, most of this is with the Radikal 1 > 2 upgrade. It is surprising just how much more you can hear. Definition with perspective. Everything sounds far more real and believable, which is something you had mentioned you were looking for in your O/P. The noise floor is lower too and the dynamic range is greater. It does seem crazy how a motor and control unit can have this effect/this massive benefit on the sound when all it’s doing is turning the motor that then turns the platter by the belt!! LOL! But, there you go… 
- I’m just really pleased that you trusted my recommendations. - Enjoy!
KR, Peter
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Yes and that’s some of the benefits of the Kore coming through there…
It’s always a bit difficult to put your finger on the specific improvements/benefits when there are two upgrades made at once. It’s much easier with single variable comparisons of course, where all other variables are eliminated as far as is practically possible. However, in most situations it seems that being able to make these single variable comparisons, are difficult or just not possible to achieve… Unless you have a silly amount of LP12s on demo 
That way, one know and no need to guess… KR, Peter
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