Linn Ekos SE Flagship Tonearm

The Linn Ekos SE is a precision-engineered tonearm developed for the Sondek LP12 turntable.

It supports the cartridge as the stylus follows the record groove, allowing the arm to move freely in the required directions while resisting unwanted vibration, flexing and movement elsewhere in the assembly.

The extremely small signal generated by a phono cartridge can be affected by movement within the headshell, arm tube, bearings, mounting collar and turntable structure.

Ekos SE therefore combines advanced materials with closely controlled manufacturing tolerances to provide a rigid and stable mechanical connection between the cartridge and the LP12 sub-chassis.

Designed for the Linn Sondek LP12

Ekos SE has been designed around the geometry, suspended structure and upgradeable construction of the Linn Sondek LP12.

The tonearm is mounted to the LP12 armboard or integrated sub-chassis, allowing energy from the cartridge and arm assembly to be transferred into the suspended turntable structure.

It forms part of the standard Linn Klimax LP12 specification, where it is partnered with the Ekstatik moving coil cartridge and Keel SE sub-chassis.

Ekos SE can also be fitted as an upgrade to a suitable existing LP12, subject to the condition and specification of the turntable.

Machined Titanium Arm Tube

The Ekos SE arm tube is machined from titanium.

Titanium provides a combination of strength, stiffness and relatively low mass, helping the arm tube resist unwanted flexing as the stylus responds to very small movements within the record groove.

The material has also been selected for its controlled resonant behaviour. Unwanted vibration stored within the arm tube could otherwise travel back towards the cartridge or obscure some of the information being retrieved from the record.

The arm tube must remain rigid enough to maintain the position of the cartridge while still allowing the complete arm assembly to respond freely to warps and variations in the record surface.

Stainless-Steel Bearing Housing

The titanium arm tube is supported by a substantial stainless-steel bearing housing.

The housing provides a rigid foundation for the tonearm bearings and mounting assembly, helping the arm move around accurately controlled horizontal and vertical axes.

Linn machines the bearing mating surfaces to close tolerances and a carefully controlled finish. This helps the bearings fit accurately within the housing without unnecessary stress or movement.

The wall thickness of the Ekos SE bearing assembly is significantly greater than that of the earlier Ekos design, increasing strength and reducing resonance through the central tonearm structure.

Linn also reduced the number of separate components within the mounting assembly, allowing the main arm structure to connect more directly to the tonearm collar.

Ultra-Low-Friction Bearings

A tonearm bearing must allow extremely free movement while remaining stable and free from unwanted play.

Excessive friction may prevent the stylus from following small changes in the record surface. Excessive bearing play can allow the cartridge position to move independently of the groove.

Linn specifies both lateral and horizontal bearing friction at less than 20 mg for the Ekos SE.

These ultra-low-friction bearings allow the tonearm to respond to the record while the rigid housing controls unwanted movement around the pivot.

Temperature-Compensated Precision Springs

Ekos SE uses precision springs to apply tracking force and bias.

Mechanical springs can behave slightly differently as their temperature changes. Linn therefore uses temperature compensation to help the settings remain consistent as the tonearm and listening room warm during extended use.

This helps the cartridge operate under more stable conditions whether the turntable is playing its first record of the day or has been in use for several hours.

The available tracking-force adjustment range is 0 to 3 g, covering the requirements of many suitable moving magnet and moving coil cartridges.

Tracking Force and Bias

Tracking force describes the downward pressure applied by the stylus to the record groove.

Bias, also known as anti-skate, applies a compensating force to help counteract the tendency of the tonearm to move towards the centre of the record during playback.

Both settings must be adjusted to suit the fitted cartridge and should be checked after the cartridge has been installed and aligned.

Using less tracking force than the cartridge manufacturer recommends is not safer for records. An underweighted stylus may mistrack, causing audible distortion and potentially greater groove wear.

Long Fixed Headshell

The Ekos SE uses a rigid, non-detachable headshell integrated into the arm assembly.

Avoiding a removable headshell eliminates an additional mechanical joint close to the cartridge, where even a small amount of movement could affect the transfer of vibration through the tonearm.

The long headshell provides sufficient adjustment to accommodate a broad range of cartridges and allows the stylus overhang and offset angle to be set accurately.

It also supports Linn's rigid three-point cartridge mounting arrangement, as used by cartridges including Ekstatik.

Conventional two-point cartridges may also be suitable, subject to their weight, dimensions, compliance, mounting arrangement and available alignment adjustment.

Cartridge Weight and Effective Mass

Linn specifies a compatible cartridge-weight range of 3 to 9 g for the Ekos SE.

The tonearm has an effective mass of 11.5 g, placing it within the medium-mass region and allowing it to partner a useful range of suitable cartridges.

Effective mass describes how the moving mass of the tonearm behaves from the cartridge's perspective.

This works together with cartridge compliance, which describes the flexibility of the cartridge suspension.

A suitable combination helps keep the arm and cartridge resonance away from the most important recorded frequencies while allowing the stylus to follow record warps and groove modulation correctly.

Designed to Partner Linn Ekstatik

Linn's current reference cartridge partner for Ekos SE is the Ekstatik moving coil cartridge .

Ekstatik uses a lightweight 7075-grade aluminium body, sapphire cantilever, micro-ridge stylus and Linn's three-point mounting arrangement.

The rigid three-point connection helps couple the cartridge body directly to the Ekos SE headshell, reducing the possibility of unwanted movement between the two components.

This combination is fitted as standard to the Klimax LP12 and represents the highest-performance tonearm and cartridge pairing in Linn's current turntable range.

Ekos SE can also be used with other compatible cartridges. The correct choice should take account of the remaining LP12 specification, phono stage, system and available budget.

Supplied with Linn T-Kable

The phono version of the Ekos SE is supplied with Linn's T-Kable tonearm cable.

A phono cartridge produces an extremely small electrical signal, making the quality, routing and connection of the tonearm cable particularly important.

T-Kable is designed to provide a low-loss connection between the tonearm and a suitable external phono stage.

The cable must also be dressed correctly beneath the LP12. Poor routing may interfere with the movement of the suspended sub-chassis or transmit unwanted vibration into the turntable.

External and Internal Phono-Stage Options

The required phono-stage type depends on the cartridge fitted to the Ekos SE.

A low-output moving coil cartridge such as Ekstatik requires a compatible MC phono stage with suitable gain and electrical loading.

Where Ekos SE is connected by T-Kable, the signal can be sent to an external phono stage or compatible phono input.

A suitable LP12 can also be fitted with Linn's internal Urika or Urika II moving coil phono stage, shortening the signal path between the cartridge and phono electronics.

Urika provides conventional analogue outputs, while Urika II sends the signal digitally over Exakt Link and requires a compatible Linn DS or DSM.

The correct tonearm-cable and phono-stage configuration should be agreed before the Ekos SE is installed.

Precision Tonearm Geometry

Ekos SE has an effective pivot-to-stylus length of 229 mm.

Its LP12 mounting distance is 211 mm, producing a specified stylus overhang of 18 mm.

These dimensions determine the position of the tonearm pivot and the required placement of the stylus in relation to the turntable spindle.

The cartridge must be aligned using the correct Linn setup method rather than positioned by eye or centred approximately within the headshell slots.

Mounted to the LP12 Sub-Chassis

The performance of the Ekos SE depends on the mechanical structure to which it is fitted.

Linn's current Klimax LP12 partners the tonearm with the Keel SE, which combines the suspended sub-chassis, armboard and tonearm mounting within one machined aluminium component.

This creates a direct and rigid connection between the tonearm and the LP12 bearing while reducing the number of separate joints within the suspended structure.

Ekos SE may also be fitted to other suitable Linn armboards and sub-chassis, but the condition, stiffness and compatibility of the existing parts should be assessed before installation.

Upgrading an Existing LP12

Ekos SE can provide a major upgrade for an existing LP12, but the complete turntable should be inspected before the tonearm is changed.

Linn's source-first approach means the main bearing, sub-chassis, power supply, motor and suspension continue to influence the information available to the tonearm and cartridge.

In some systems, servicing the turntable or upgrading another structural component may be a more effective first step.

The cartridge and phono stage must also be of a suitable standard if the benefits of the Ekos SE are to be realised fully.

Professional Installation Is Required

Linn specifies that Ekos SE must be installed and configured by an authorised retailer.

Installation involves removing or protecting the cartridge, mounting the tonearm, routing the cable and securing the arm collar without disturbing the bearing assembly.

Changing the tonearm also affects the suspended mass and cable behaviour of the LP12, so the suspension must be checked and adjusted after installation.

The cartridge must then be fitted and aligned before tracking force, bias, cueing height and cable dressing are set.

Cartridge Wiring and Connections

The wires connecting the cartridge to the tonearm are extremely fine and should be handled with care.

Poor or damaged connections may cause intermittent sound, hum, channel imbalance or complete loss of one channel.

Cartridge tags should be moved using an appropriate tool and supported at the metal connector rather than pulled by the wire.

The stylus and cantilever should be protected from accidental contact throughout installation.

Cueing and Everyday Use

The cueing mechanism should be used to raise and lower the tonearm wherever possible.

Lowering the cartridge by hand increases the risk of dropping the stylus onto the record, platter or plinth.

The arm should move smoothly during cueing and playback without sudden drifting, stiffness or visible movement within the bearing housing.

Any unexpected change in cueing behaviour, cartridge position or tonearm movement should be investigated before further records are played.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The exterior of the Ekos SE should be cleaned only with a clean, soft and dry cloth.

Oil, cleaning fluid, polish or lubricant should not be applied to the arm tube, headshell, counterweight or bearing assembly.

The precision bearings do not require routine user lubrication.

Stylus cleaning should follow the cartridge manufacturer's instructions, using a suitable brush and moving only in the safe direction beneath the cartridge.

The LP12 should also be serviced periodically so the tonearm, cartridge, suspension, bearing, belt and motor system can be checked together.

Ekos SE or Arko?

Arko and Ekos SE occupy different levels within Linn's current LP12 range.

Ekos SE represents the higher-performance option, but the tonearm should be considered alongside the cartridge, sub-chassis, power supply and phono stage rather than selected in isolation.

Key Features

• Linn's flagship Sondek LP12 tonearm
• Fitted as standard to Klimax LP12
• Machined titanium arm tube
• Rigid non-detachable headshell
• Long headshell with broad cartridge compatibility
• Supports Linn three-point cartridge mounting
• Compatible with suitable two-point cartridges
• Stainless-steel bearing housing
• Ultra-low-friction precision bearings
• Less than 20 mg lateral bearing friction
• Less than 20 mg horizontal bearing friction
• Temperature-compensated tracking-force springs
• Temperature-compensated bias springs
• 11.5 g effective mass
• Cartridge-weight compatibility from 3 to 9 g
• Tracking-force adjustment from 0 to 3 g
• 229 mm pivot-to-stylus effective length
• 211 mm LP12 mounting distance
• 18 mm stylus overhang
• Supplied with Linn T-Kable in phono configuration
• Designed to partner Linn Ekstatik
• Compatible with suitable internal or external phono stages
• Hand-built and precision-engineered by Linn
• Professional Linn installation and setup required

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions