Installaton Experience

Why did you choose SERENE components?

Quality of components related to price of similar upgrades offered elsewhere – especially the Alto components. Also the helpful correspondence by Theo Stack related to any questions that we had.

Why did you decide to do the install yourself?

No Linn dealers in our area. Given that we had already performed complete setups of our LP12 before, doing the install ourselves was better than shipping our LP12 or trying to arrange for anyone to come to our home to do it.

Overall, how easy did you find the installation?

As long as you understand how to setup a LP12, it is straightforward to do.

Approximately how long did the install take?

Around 4 hours to install Alto Top Plate, Cross-Brace, Sub-Chassis, Arm Board and Base Plate. There was subsequent tweeting of the LP12 setup.

Did you change any other components at the same time? (e.g.: bearing, arm, cartridge etc)

No – only Serene II Alto components along with new set of provided springs and grommets.

Are you happy with the result?

Extremely happy – everything just sounded “right” after installing the Serene II Alto upgrades. There was more insight into the musical intent of the performer/composition. It revived our enjoyment of listening to our LP collection.

What was the trickiest bit?

Remounting the motor to the Top Plate. This involves small nuts and bolts along with motor adjustment that is not intuitive. Please read Linn setup information on how to do this.

Our LP12 plinth has corner braces. Determining and marking location of the Alto Top Plate posts that go through corner braces located under the power switch and motor was difficult. We made templates and that worked. Not sure if there is much variation on this from LP12 to LP12. But if Stack Audio could provide templates for this, it may be helpful to customers. (Unless we made this more difficult than it is).

We did have to modify the plinth cross-brace supports to allow for proper fit of the Alto Top-Plate. Again, not sure if there is much variation on this from LP12 to LP12. So our LP12 may have be a one-off in this regard. See below image and copy of email from July 7^th, 2021.

Would you service/install it again yourself or take it to a dealer?

Yes – We would install it ourselves if we were to do it again.

What advice would you give to someone who is starting out installing the parts for the first time?

We feel that planning is key to a successful install. We wrote out steps of disassemble and
reassemble prior to starting the install along with taking several pictures
before disassemble. This included noting items such as the number of nut threads
exposed on the motor mounting.