Linn Forums

I have installed John R's (http://www.analogueinnovation.com) Sole subchassis to my LP12 (Ittok LVIII/b, Adikt, Trampolin II, Plattamat, Lingo I, Ekos Cable with Bullet plugs) for 3 weeks now and I can just add myself to a list of overly happy users.

With the Sole the following upgrades were installed:
- Trampolin II
- New three layer armboard
- Analogue Innovations Plattamat (Did a lot of A/B testing against the Felt mat and what this mat does is just amazing, for more read below)

Now what has changed?
The overall definition and dynamics have increased with actually increasing the overall musicality. The music flows in a new way and the lack of detail especially in the mids and bass is on a completely different level now. There were always certian things in the precision of the reproduction that I was missing from my LP12. I have a few audiophile recordings on CD and on 180gr vinyl and although the overall presentation of the LP12 was always better it was somehow lacking the details from the CD reproduction.
Now when I compare, my CD player sounds "flat and analytic" and the warmth and the huge soundstage of my LP12 make my swing as I am typing along.
Has the overall character of my LP12 changed?
It has become far more precise and I am actually amazed by the abilities of my Adikt !!!

Now to the Plattamat:
I have been experimenting with mats (Ringmat, some others) a few years back and I always switched back to the felt, because after a few weeks I did not like anymore what I deemed an improvement first.
The Plattamat (in combination with all other things that I have "done" to my LP12) gave me an immediate change in the soundstage.... the sound leaves my Kabers instantly and the soundstage gets bigger and I can identify the instruments in the room even on the outer sides of the loudspeakers... the felt mat gave me a stage that is only actually in between the speakers.
What else does it so ?
It adds this sweet mellow timbre to Stan Getz' saxophone playing, it charms Ella Fitzgerald's voice, it places the the Lesile of James Taylor's Hammond right in my room...

I was experiencing a few setup problems (thanks to a Linn retailer not really having enough diligence in LP12 setups) with my LP12 and John R. supported me almost daily and now that I could tell him that my LP12 "sang" again he is very happy as well. John is a true believer in his products and he does very well in doing this, because he's doing excellent work.

Is the Sole better than the Keel?
I guess this is not the question. I regard the Sole as a very good upgrade against the Cirkus subchassis (although it's 90gr heavier than the Cirkus Sub and according to a Linn retailer and an Account Manager it should and will NEVER work, even it 90 gr is within production tolerances of the outer platter).
Is it poor man's Keel?
Whatever you might want to call it, I regard it as a very very good upgrade to the LP12, that does not change the general character and musicality but brings more dynamics, precision without getting analytical and soulless.... You add Soul!!!
Would I do it again?
Yes anytime, but I would not let this particular retailer touch my LP12 again....never ever!!!

A happy Swiss LP12 owner....with SOUL!!

Marco

Hi Marco.
Nice to see a very happy customer, long may you enjoy your LP12!

John R

And again, another happy Sole user...
Actually it's been a couple of days since I've installed a Sole Subchassis on my LP12 (for information, it's a Cirkus LP12, with Ekos tonearm and Troika cartridge)... It was a very busy day, my first attempt ever to dismantle and remount a LP12, but thanks to the very detailed and informative user manual (plus a few email exchanges with John, more that happy to help!), I did it!

The result is a clear improvement, which I would compare in value and quality to the improvement brought by a Linto (over a kairn MC stage).
The strong points are:
- Much more bass, and I mean well defined bass, with the tune becoming very easy to follow - Now I understand what a bass player is doing
- small details are highlighted in an effortless way
- the musicians play together much more than with the cirkus subchassis
- you are able to follow the tune of a Backing vocal for instance, thoughout the music, even when the main instruments are louder - you can still perceive and follow the tune of smaller signals

to complete the review, I must confess that I've not heard what a keel can do, probably the same kind of magic, and may be even better, but what is certain, is that the Sole is a genuine and significant improvement, the LP12 character is maintained, the listening pleasure is amplified! Bravo to John, and many thanks for your useful help during the setting-up!

Jean-Christophe

Thank you very much J-C !

Glad to hear it is still doing the business for you !

John R.

Hello Marco
I'm new happy owner of a LP12, akito2, Goldring Eroica LX, Lingo, Trampolin
I'm looking for a Ittok and I'd like upgrade but not denaturate the warm sound of the LP12........
I think I'l take exemple on you............