The Linn Klimax LP12 Turntable: an expert guide
Our Linn LP12 Turntable specialist Alan constructing a Klimax LP12.
So this is where it all began…The year was 1973, and Ivor Tiefenbrun, a Glaswegian engineer and passionate music enthusiast, frustrated in his attempts to buy a record player that met his high expectations, gave up and decided to design and build his own – the Linn Sondek LP12.
Linn Klimax LP12 – built to last
Designed as a modular platform the Sondek can be continuously upgraded as component parts, machining techniques and tolerances improve over time. Here on permanent demonstration at Soundstage Hi-Fi, we have the latest and very best example – the Linn Klimax LP12 Turntable.
LP12 plinths are formed from a selection of braced and kiln-dried hardwoods. Largely hidden but of huge importance the Keel sub-chassis with its integral armboard and arm collar is machined from a solid block of aircraft-grade aluminium. Typically, a separate sub-chassis, armboard and arm collar are comprised of over twenty individual components. The Keel is just one single component and its unique construction eliminates unwanted noise and vibration.
A Perfect circle
For silent running, the main bearing of hardened steel sits on a thrust plate polished to a mirror finish. The zinc alloy platter is cut and repeatedly re-cut until all internal stresses are gone and it becomes a perfect circle.
The Radikal power supply drives an electrically silent DC motor and offers precise auto-calibrating speed control. 33 and 45 are available at the flick of a switch.
Installing the Urika II MC Phonostage
The LP12’s Zinc Alloy Platter
Perfect balance
Ekos tonearms are handmade at Linn. Assembled from magnesium, aluminium and hardened steels, an Ekos is light, extremely rigid and tonally neutral. With lateral and vertical bearing tolerances below one micron, it is the perfect partner for the Linn Kandid moving coil cartridge.
With a body cut from a single block of the same grade of aluminium as used in the Ekos SE tonearm, the Kandid’s body shape minimises unwanted standing wave behaviour whilst the three-point fixing ensures stability and rigidity. Each electrical coil is wound by hand and the mechanism tuned by ear during assembly. Flying contact leads reduce the number of electrical connections and a grain-oriented diamond of the finest quality minimises wear and friction as it traces the groove of your vinyl records.
The Kandid cartridge generates an incredibly small electrical signal which needs to pass through a phono stage to be both amplified and equalised. Benefiting from a very short arm cable and the highest-quality electrical components, the Linn Urika phono stage is fastened to the Trampolin baseboard and fits inside the turntable.
If the above sounds complicated, don’t worry; at Soundstage Hi-Fi we have a technical term for all of the above…
It sounds better!
So… Grab your favourite records and call into our North London shop to experience the three levels of the Sondek LP12, from the Majik to the Akurate and all the way to the fabulous Linn Klimax LP12.
By Alan Williams
Having previously worked at Linn for 20 years, Alan is now Soundstage Hi-Fi's in-house Linn LP12 specialist. So bring down your turntable for a full service, upgrade, or to chat all things Linn.
The Linn LP12 Turntable - Ekos SE tonearm
