Shortly after the AR Legend was introduced they also manufactured a different unit called the AR EB101 which had a fixed mount and came with the AR badged arm as standard. My understanding is that different fitted arms cannot be used with the EB101 because of the fixed mount which is part of the sub chassis.
According to that brochure the Legend and EB101 are not the same inside. The Legend still has the cast sub-chassis from the old AR decks where and the EB101 has two thin steel straps welded together. The motor is different too. I have an EB101 here now and I've had a Legend, should have got that right.
The original 2-motor AR turntable had a folded-and-assembled subchassis too:
Wow, so at it's debut it was financially really competitive!
I am sure that I remember a "small ad" in the back of a hifi magazine advertising the LP12 as a motor unit only option back in the mid '70s...
Back to the Karousel. Just had the Karousel fitted this am. Straight from the off it is a clear and worthwhile improvement. In terms of the Linn “upgrades” this is clear,y the best vfm.
I have never had an EB101 in my hands to look closely at the mounting arrangement. I expect it is Linn 3 point mount. The plinth would prevent a Rega or SME mount without surgery.
I agree. I think it's remarkable.
Indeed. The double kick on the drum on Force Hit, Hipgnosis is staggering in its clarity. Karousel was made for Tangerine!
Mark, Mike says the LP12 can’t be taken any further - only port of call a new cartridge in due course…
After having played a fair number of records it is clear that the Karousel has taken the LP12, and I would imagine any iteration, be it the entry level through to the fully Klimaxed or Tangerined iteration a step further ahead. I remain of the view that the pre Karousel Tangerined LP12 had much in common in terms of voicing with the Bardo (and having heard that at Mark’s I know what a fine deck that is). OK, this is from memory, but I would wager the fully Tangerined Karousel LP12 is a step ahead of the Bardo now. Blimey, the violin on the tail end of Ummadelic, Hipgnosis sounds so staggeringly life like and in the room… the bass line has that extra clarity as does the swirling synth.
Incidentally, earlier I tried out a track with some deep, and I mean deep synth tones and again there was that extra clarity, definition of subtle changes in those ultra deep notes. Remarkable.
AFAIK, the Tranquility is incompatible with Karousel, but you could sell it on easilyBob,
When Rick at Audio Alternative last serviced my LP12 he fitted a Tranquility levitation device (along with a Hana cart) that really improved the sound. This was pre-Karousel. Did Rick describe the plus and minuses of each? Worth upgrading? Are they an either/or upgrade?
Dan
.....those vinyl discs ....