The Linn LP12 is widely regarded as one of the finest turntables ever made. The Linn LP12 Klimax is widely regarded as the best Linn LP12 ever made.
So, what have we here? Something really very special indeed.
Let’s take a look at what makes the Linn LP12 Klimax so special…
The very best components to create the very best LP12.
The Linn LP12 has always benefitted from a modular construction, allowing the customer to configure their LP12 as desired. For those who seek the very best of what Linn can offer, the LP12 Klimax is the culmination, and home, of Linn’s greatest work.
The Klimax sits at the very top of the tree for Linn’s pre-configured turntables. Linn themselves claim it represents a new benchmark against which all other turntables should be judged; they may just be right
The Linn LP12 Klimax Sub-Chassis
The LP12 Klimax uses Linn’s KEEL sub-chassis; the KEEL is the only sub-chassis in Linn’s range which is machined entirely from one, solid piece of aluminium. Every LP12 sub-chassis is designed around the ethos of stiffness, rigidity and vibration free performance.
The KEEL sub-chassis, arm board and tone-collar, are all machined from the same piece of aluminium, upholding those core values of rigidity and anti-resonance. The KEEL has been engineered to maintain the same mass and centre of gravity as a conventional, separate, sub-chassis, arm board, and collar.
The Tonearm
The Tonearm configured as part of the Linn LP12 Klimax setup is Linn’s Flagship, EKOS SE Tonearm. The EKOS SE utilises materials and construction techniques, all optimised for low resonance and the utmost in audio presentation.
The EKOS SE utilises a machined titanium arm wand with a stainless steel bearing housing. The EKOS ETHOS (if you will) is that the very first play of the day should sound the same as the very last – that is to say outstanding. The ultra low friction bearings, coupled with temperature compensated springs, ensure consistency – play to play.
An extra long headshell is employed which, coupled with the outstanding tracking abilities of the EKOS SE, ensure that most and cartridge can be utilised with the EKOS SE. In the case of the Linn LP12 Klimax specification, however, something really rather special is already lined up…
The Pickup Cartridge
The moving coil Cartridge included with the Linn LP12 Klimax is Linn’s flagship ‘Kandid’ Cartridge. The Kandid has an utterly unique aesthetic, born (as per all Linn’s equipment) out function and performance as the key design goals.
The Klimax’s unique appearance is a result of the exposed motor housing; no cartridge housing means no source of resonance, with a cleaner, clearer, purer sound the consequence. An entire blog article alone could be written on this remarkable cartridge.
The Klimax uses the very finest, nude diamond, micro-ridge stylus; this is coupled to a cantilever arrangement designed to operate at an optimum 23 degrees. This, in turn, means that when the stylus is placed upon the record, the internal flux lines of the cartridge remain optimal.
Be under no illusion that the Klimax is one of the world’s great cartridges.
The Perfect Power Supply, motor and pre-amp.
The Klimax specification stands head and shoulders above the other LP12 models in terms of its supporting electronics and unique, high-end motor. It is the only combination of pre-configured LP12 decks which can be plugged directly into a line-level stage.
The LP12 Klimax uses the top-end Radikal power supply – it is the key to the Klimax specifications astonishing breadth of abilities – and to the quality in which the Klimax accomplishes them. Comprising of power for both the brushed DC motor (an integral part of the Radikal upgrade) and power for the Urika phono pre-amp, it is an integral key to the LP12 Klimax build.
The precious metal brushed DC motor is kept in check by Radikal’s advanced circuitry which monitors each revolution one at a time and dynamically adjusts the motor to achieve perfect timing. Additionally, the use of the brushed DC motor helps in reducing the turntable’s noise floor – you’ll hear no mains hum here!
Linn’s Urika phono amplifier is beautifully integrated into the Trampolin base board. Placing the phono amplifier as close to the cartridge is sound engineering practice, as it reduced the distance those small, fragile signals have to travel before being amplified to a more robust line level.
The Urika phono amplifier offers both unbalanced phono outputs, as well as professional grade, transformer coupled, balanced outputs. Truly – quality is thought out, every step of the way.
The Linn LP12 Klimax – In Summary
Let’s get this out the way, the LP12 Klimax costs £18,670. Yes, one could buy a new car for that kind of money. It is, however, highly unlikely one would still have that car in 10, 20, 30, maybe even 40 years.
The Linn LP12 Klimax is a once-in-a-lifetime investment which will reward with the pinnacle of vinyl based audio for decades. Viewed as an heirloom, ‘the last turntable you’ll ever buy’, that price begins to look less daunting.
Consider the fact that the LP12 can be constantly upgraded to the latest specification, thanks to its modular construction, and it truly does become a timeless investment.