Turntable Bearings

The Linn bearing does not employ the use of a ball bearing. When upgrading the Linn bearing which is part of the inner platter, Linn recommends changing the outer platter as well to ensure complete balanced and matched interface.

Since your table was produced in the 80's, you can purchase an upgraded bearing, inner platter and outer platter kit called the "Cirkus" upgrade.

The Linn bearing has a very tight tolerance. When used with the recommended Linn black oil, the spindle should slowly float down within the bearing well, sometimes taking minutes to settle. If it drops too quickly, the tolerance may be off. With respect to wear on the point that comes in contact with the thrust plate, spin the platter ( without the drive belt), the platter should spin freely for a prolong period of time. Also, you can purchase an inexpensive stethoscope and listen for bearing noise, but you need to know what to listen for as you currently have no reference point.

Yes, it is difficult to find a nos bearing and that is due to the fact that the bearing and platter were sold as a set. A lot of people have upgraded to the Cirkus bearing, therefore, there should be a lot of used but excellent condition old bearing/platter combo that can be purchased for an excellent price.

The new(er) bearings will fit in the older tables. There are literally thousands of 30 year old LP12 in service with their original bearings and existing owners are not complaining. If you like the Linn sound, an older LP 12 with an Ittok arm in for around the $1k range used is hard to beat.

Btw, you can always purchase a cheap digital USB microscope and check for a flat spot on the spindle point.

When was the last time you had your 30 year old LP12 serviced or tuned? That would have a MUCH greater impact on the sound than bearing wear. Perhaps, time for new springs, grommets, and a suspension adjustment.