The legendary Linn LP12 turntable continues to evolve. Consequently, It remains the top turntable with audiophiles. The modular design has masses of updatability.
A short history of Linn
Linn was founded in 1973 by Ivor Tiefenbrun. This Scottish company began by producing the Sondek LP12 turntable. The companies logo represents the “single point” bearing that was a unique feature of the LP12.
Hamish Robertson designed the Ariston RD11 and the Linn Sondek was a copy of the RD11. Later Robertson left Arsiton and formed Linn products LTD, primarily to sell a version of the RD11, renamed the LP12. Some patent litigation followed, but Linn eventually succeeded in gaining the patent for the LP12. The LP12 rapidly became a classic turntable.
Linn LP12 Turntable Range
The current Sondek LP12 is a fully modular design. You can add your own choice of components and there are three versions of the LP12 to choose from. These demonstrate what is possible with vinyl and will extract every musical nuance from the groove.
The Selekt LP12
This is the original and best LP12 and features innovations that will make your most cherished LP’s sound like it is the first time that you every heard them. The Klimax LP12 is the latest iteration and makes music even more musical and pitch perfect. The stability is due to Linn’s latest hyper-accurate speed management technology. The motor design is cutting edge and the power supply has very low noise. Moreover, the newest flagship cartridge is the best cartridge ever made by Linn.
Ekstatic the Linn flagship cartridge
To make the best cartridge in the range, Linn did extensive testing to find new materials that could be used for the body, inserts, cantilever, suspension, windings and leads. as a result the Ekstaic is the best possible cartridge to go with the Ekos arm. Its unique construction removes any unwanted resonances, and lets them dissipate along the arm and out via the sub-chassis. Experiments with new materials led to aluminium-bronze being used for the inserts. Additionally the body is honeycombed to reduce mass and get the weight close to the ideal 7g.
A top-of-the range micro-ridge stylus on a sapphire cantilever reduces the contact area and makes for a very responsive stylus and generator. Sapphire is far stiffer than the usual boron or aluminium.
Klimax LP12
The Klimax LP12 brings together some of the best Linn components, such as the Sondek LP12 turntable with Karousel bearing as well as the Keel machined sub-chassis and armboard. Additionally, the Klimax comes with the Ekos SE precision tonearm. The top of the range components continue with the Ekstatik flagship moving coil (MC) cartridge and the Urika II moving coil phono stage, built-in to a suspended base.
Radikal reference motor control and power supply
The Klimax comes with the Radikal reference motor control and power supply. This gives hyper-accurate speed management. As a result the uniform platter rotation is as close as possible to 33 1/3 RPM. The motor control uses the latest precision engineered components. Consequently, accurate speed control is provided by this marriage of mechanical and electrical engineering.
The Radikal’s power supply
The power supply circuit board has been improved. It now provides whisper quiet power supply rails. Moreover, a very low noise floor is created with smaller more modern components.These highly regulated power supply rails also make the Urika phono stage sound cleaner and more balanced. The Radikal’s motor design has very low electromagnetic interference. Additionally, a new acoustic housing decouples the motor from the deck. The machined enclosure is available in black or silver.
The majik LP12
The Majik LP12 is the most affordable way into experiencing the legendary Sondek LP12. Make your choice of carefully crafted Linn components. MajiK LP12 components include a sandwich constructed aluminium chassis as well as the patented Karousel bearing. Additionally there is an internally mounted low noise power supply. Finally, the unit comes with the low friction Krane tonearm. Next, your first choice involves choosing a cartridge.
Moving magnet or Moving coil?
The Adikt MM cartridge is provided with the high performance Majik LP12. On the other hand you can upgrade to the Koil MC cartridge. this accomplished cartridge is a great first step into the world of moving coil cartridges.
The Krane tonearm
The Krane tonearm comes with the Majik LP12. This high quality tonearm elevates the Majik LP12 above what would be expected from an entry level turntable. The Karousel bearing makes this a very stable unit. The Krane tonearm is hand assembled. Furthermore, It uses precision aluminum and stainless steel components. This material leads to a very low friction / low mass arm. Additionally, the VTA is setup using an etched scale. The azimuth adjustment is combined with a fixed offset angle. as a result the alignment is perfect. Finally the head shell is adjustable.
The plinth comes in a range of colours. You can also get a personalised plinth colour with matching speakers.
Linn also make a range of high end components. Next we take a brief look at rest of the Linn range.
More Linn products.
Linn also make Speakers, power amps and network music players.
The Klimax 350 is an unusual speaker design with built in DAC and amplifier options. These are known as integrated exakt modules. The Linn network music player connects via an Exact Link to the internal DAC. The digital signal is then split into the exact frequencies needed for each drive unit. Next, precise power is provided by 3000W amplifiers. There is also a passive version of this speaker.
The Linn network music player
Linn has also developed Digital streaming technology. The Klimax DSM is a very hi-end streamer. Years of development have led to the groundbreaking Organik DAC. The DAC brooks no compromise. It has FPGA processing with a discrete conversion stage. There is an all new enclosure design, providing acoustic isolation. Precision CNC cutting makes a solid block of aluminium into a strong and beautiful case.
The climax Twin power amplifier also uses a solid aluminium case. Key features include Linn Dynamik an in house designed power supply. This switch mode power supply develops clean low noise supply rails.
Create the best possible audio system with Linn Components and the legendary LP12 .