Audio T Verdict
Linn Krystal is a high-performance moving coil cartridge that sits between the entry-level Koil and the more advanced Kendo within Linn's current cartridge range.
Its nude Vital Fine Line stylus, aluminium-tube cantilever, low-mass 7075-grade aluminium body and rigid three-point mounting system are designed to follow fine groove information while controlling unwanted movement around the cartridge generator.
Krystal provides a natural upgrade from Adikt or Koil for a suitably specified Linn Sondek LP12. It requires a compatible moving coil phono stage and should be professionally installed, aligned and configured.
Linn Krystal Moving Coil Cartridge
Linn Krystal is a low-output moving coil cartridge developed for the Sondek LP12 and other suitably compatible turntables.
It uses design principles developed for Linn's higher-performance moving coil cartridges, including a low-mass open construction, precision-machined aluminium body and rigid three-point attachment to a compatible tonearm headshell.
Krystal sits below
Linn Kendo
and above
Linn Koil
in Linn's current cartridge range.
It is intended for customers looking to move beyond entry-level moving coil playback while retaining compatibility with the established Linn three-point cartridge mounting system.
Low-Output Moving Coil Design
Krystal is a low-output moving coil cartridge.
In a moving coil design, lightweight coils connected to the cantilever move through a fixed magnetic field as the stylus follows the record groove.
This movement creates a very small electrical signal, which is passed through the tonearm wiring to a compatible moving coil phono stage.
Krystal produces 0.5 mV at 5 cm per second. This is considerably lower than the output from a typical moving magnet cartridge and requires additional gain from the phono stage.
Moving Coil Design
- Lightweight moving generator assembly
- Designed to respond quickly to groove movement
- 0.5 mV low-level output
- Requires suitable moving coil gain
- Professional setup strongly recommended
System Requirements
- Compatible tonearm and headshell
- Moving coil phono stage
- Correct resistance and capacitance loading
- Accurate cartridge alignment
- Tracking force and bias adjustment
Low-Mass Nude Construction
Krystal uses a low-mass design inspired by the principles Linn originally developed for its higher-performance Kandid cartridge.
Removing unnecessary surrounding material reduces the inertia of the cartridge structure and limits the amount of material available to store unwanted vibration.
The aim is to allow the stylus, cantilever and generator to respond more readily as the shape of the record groove changes.
This exposed construction also means that the internal cartridge components and cantilever require particularly careful handling during installation and everyday use.
Handle the Cartridge with Care
The open construction leaves the stylus, cantilever and generator assembly more exposed than on a cartridge with a large protective outer body.
Never handle Krystal by its cantilever, stylus or internal components.
Installation should be carried out using suitable cartridge tools and an approved stylus guard where available.
Nude Vital Fine Line Stylus
Krystal uses a nude Vital Fine Line diamond stylus.
A nude stylus is formed from a complete piece of diamond rather than a diamond tip bonded to a separate metal shank.
Removing the additional shank reduces mass at the tip of the cantilever, helping the stylus respond to small and rapidly changing groove modulations.
The fine-line contact profile is designed to follow detailed information within the groove while maintaining stable contact over a relatively long vertical area of the groove wall.
The precision of this profile also makes cartridge alignment particularly important.
Fine-Line Alignment Must Be Accurate
Incorrect overhang, offset angle or cantilever alignment may increase distortion and prevent the stylus from sitting correctly between the groove walls.
Distortion caused by poor alignment may become especially noticeable towards the end of a record side.
Aluminium-Tube Cantilever
The Vital Fine Line stylus is mounted on an aluminium-tube cantilever.
The cantilever carries movement from the stylus to the moving coil generator inside the cartridge.
It must be light enough to respond to rapid groove movements while remaining sufficiently rigid to avoid unnecessary bending or stored energy.
The aluminium tube provides a lightweight and carefully controlled link between the stylus and generator.
It is also a delicate component and can be permanently damaged by accidental sideways pressure.
Avoid Wet Stylus Cleaners
Linn advises particular caution with cartridges using aluminium-tube cantilevers.
Cleaning liquid may travel along the cantilever, corrode the aluminium or affect the cartridge suspension.
Use a dry cleaning method approved by Linn or ask Audio T for suitable cartridge-care advice.
Precision-Machined 7075 Aluminium Body
Krystal uses a body precision-machined from 7075-grade aluminium.
This high-strength aluminium alloy combines rigidity with relatively low mass, providing a stable platform for the cartridge generator and mounting points.
A rigid body helps limit unwanted movement between the generator, cartridge mounting points and tonearm headshell.
The cartridge has a total mass of 7 g, allowing it to work with a range of suitably compatible Linn and third-party tonearms.
Tonearm compatibility must still take account of effective mass, counterweight range, cartridge compliance and mounting geometry.
Carefully Selected Adhesive
Even the adhesive used within the Krystal assembly was selected as part of the cartridge's mechanical design.
Linn chose an adhesive intended to create a rigid bond between the relevant components rather than introducing a soft or excessively damped joint.
Maintaining a secure mechanical connection helps stylus movement reach the generator without unnecessary energy being lost within the cartridge structure.
Cross Armature and Copper Coils
Krystal uses a cross-shaped armature wound with copper coil wire.
The armature forms part of the moving generator connected to the cantilever.
As the stylus and cantilever move, the coils travel through the cartridge's magnetic field and generate the electrical signal.
The mass, balance and construction of this assembly influence how quickly the cartridge can respond to the record groove.
Linn Three-Point Cartridge Mounting
Krystal uses Linn's three-point cartridge mounting system.
Two conventional mounting points sit towards the sides of the cartridge, while a third fixing is positioned towards the rear centre.
The additional mounting point creates a more rigid connection between the cartridge body and a compatible Linn tonearm headshell.
Reducing movement at this mechanical joint helps direct unwanted energy away from the cartridge generator and into the tonearm and turntable structure.
Three-Point Headshell Required
To use all three mounting points, the tonearm headshell must support Linn's three-point cartridge arrangement.
Compatibility should be checked before ordering, particularly when Krystal is being fitted to a non-Linn tonearm.
The correct screws must be used in each mounting position and should not be overtightened.
Tonearm Compatibility
Krystal is designed for suitable tonearms that support its 7 g mass, mounting arrangement and alignment requirements.
Current Linn tonearms including
Linn Arko
and
Linn Ekos SE
support Linn three-point cartridge mounting.
Krane also supports Linn three-point cartridges, although the overall balance of the LP12 specification should be considered before installing a higher-level cartridge on an entry-level deck.
Compatibility with any tonearm should include checks for headshell clearance, counterweight capacity, effective mass, cartridge alignment and available tracking-force adjustment.
Mechanical Checks
- Three-point mounting support
- Ability to balance a 7 g cartridge
- Suitable tonearm effective mass
- Correct overhang can be achieved
- Cartridge body and record clearance
Setup Checks
- Accurate stylus position
- Cantilever alignment
- Tracking force between 1.5 and 2.0 g
- Correct bias or anti-skate
- Suitable tonearm height
Moving Coil Phono Stage Required
Krystal requires a compatible moving coil phono stage.
Its 0.5 mV output is far lower than that of a conventional moving magnet cartridge, so additional low-noise amplification is required.
The phono stage must also apply the RIAA equalisation used during record production and provide appropriate electrical loading.
Krystal should not normally be connected to a moving magnet-only input.
Do Not Use an MM-Only Input
A moving magnet input normally provides insufficient gain and unsuitable loading for Linn Krystal.
This may result in extremely low volume, excessive noise and an incorrect tonal balance.
Check the amplifier or phono-stage specification before the cartridge is installed.
Load Resistance and Capacitance
Linn's current general specification gives a load-resistance range from 50 to 200 O and a load-capacitance range from 100 to 1000 pF.
A setting close to 100 O provides a sensible starting point on many adjustable moving coil phono stages.
Where suitable adjustment is available, supported settings may be compared by listening after the cartridge has been installed and allowed to settle.
Lower resistance values apply a heavier electrical load to the cartridge, while higher values provide lighter loading.
The final result also depends on the phono stage, tonearm cable and wider Hi-Fi system.
Recommended Linn Uphorik Settings
Linn's published settings for its Uphorik phono stage recommend 64 dB gain, 53 O resistance and 1 nF capacitance for Krystal.
These settings are specific to Linn Uphorik and should not automatically be copied to a phono stage with different gain steps or input circuitry.
Audio T can configure a compatible Linn or third-party moving coil phono stage during cartridge installation.
General Compatibility Range
- Moving coil input required
- 50 to 200 O load resistance
- 100 to 1000 pF load capacitance
- Gain suitable for a 0.5 mV output
- Low-noise phono-stage operation
Linn Uphorik Settings
- 64 dB gain
- 53 O load resistance
- 1 nF load capacitance
- High-input resistance switched off
- Both channels configured identically
Tracking Force
Linn specifies a tracking-force range from 1.5 to 2.0 g, with 1.75 g as the nominal setting.
Tracking force describes the downward pressure applied by the stylus to the record groove.
The setting must be sufficient to maintain stable groove contact without applying unnecessary pressure to the cartridge suspension.
Using less than the recommended force is not automatically safer. An underweighted cartridge may mistrack and repeatedly lose contact with the groove.
Tracking force should be measured using an accurate stylus-force gauge after the cartridge has been installed and aligned.
Bias and Cartridge Alignment
Bias, also known as anti-skate, applies a compensating force to counteract the tonearm's tendency to move towards the centre of the record.
It should be adjusted alongside the final tracking-force setting and according to the tonearm manufacturer's instructions.
Cartridge overhang, offset angle, tonearm height and cantilever alignment also influence the way the Vital Fine Line stylus sits within the groove.
On a suspended Linn LP12, cartridge fitting can affect the balance of the sub-chassis, so the suspension and tonearm cable should be checked after installation.
Cartridge Setup
- Correct three-point mounting
- Accurate stylus overhang
- Cantilever aligned to the correct geometry
- Nominal 1.75 g tracking force
- Corresponding bias adjustment
LP12 Setup
- Suspension level and movement
- Sub-chassis balance
- Tonearm cable dressing
- Cartridge clearance
- Turntable support and levelling
Channel Balance and Separation
Linn specifies channel balance within ±1 dB at 1 kHz.
Channel balance describes how closely the electrical output from the left and right channels matches.
Channel separation is specified as better than 30 dB at 1 kHz.
Channel separation describes the cartridge's ability to keep information from the two walls of the stereo record groove distinct.
Correct cartridge alignment and clean electrical connections also contribute to stable central imaging and clearly defined stereo placement.
Gold-Plated Cartridge Pins
Krystal uses 1.2 mm gold-plated connection pins.
These carry the low-level signal from the cartridge generator into the fine wires inside the tonearm.
Secure and clean connections are especially important because a moving coil cartridge produces such a small electrical output.
Loose or damaged cartridge tags may cause hum, intermittent sound, channel imbalance or complete loss of one channel.
Never Pull a Cartridge Tag by the Wire
Pulling directly on the tonearm wire may damage its internal conductor or separate it from the connector.
The metal tag should be supported and moved using an appropriate tool while the cartridge and cantilever remain protected.
Professional Installation Recommended
Krystal should be fitted by an experienced cartridge and turntable specialist.
Installation involves handling the exposed stylus and cantilever, connecting the tonearm wires and securing all three mounting points evenly.
The cartridge must then be aligned before tracking force, bias and tonearm height are set.
On a Linn LP12, the suspended sub-chassis and tonearm cable dressing should also be checked after installation.
Incorrect Setup Can Affect Performance and Record Wear
Poor alignment or an unsuitable tracking-force setting may increase distortion and cause the stylus to sit incorrectly in the groove.
Audio T can inspect the complete turntable, install Krystal and configure the connected moving coil phono stage.
Stylus and Cartridge Care
The stylus should be kept clean so that dust and contamination do not build up around the diamond.
Linn recommends drawing suitable dry green stylus paper gently from the rear of the cartridge towards the front, following the direction in which the record travels beneath the stylus.
A suitable dry ultrasonic stylus cleaner may also be used according to its instructions.
Do not blow directly onto the stylus, as this may force moisture and dust into the cartridge mechanism.
Wet cleaning fluids should be avoided, particularly because Krystal uses an aluminium-tube cantilever.
Do Not Use Lyra SPT on Krystal
Linn limits the use of Lyra SPT to cartridges with solid boron cantilevers.
Krystal uses an aluminium-tube cantilever, so this cleaner should not be used.
Stylus Wear and Inspection
Stylus life depends on record cleanliness, tracking accuracy, playing time and the condition of the records being played.
Signs of possible wear or damage can include increased distortion, reduced clarity, unreliable tracking or a visibly displaced cantilever.
The Krystal stylus is not designed to be replaced by the user.
Stop using the cartridge after an accidental impact or if the cantilever appears bent, twisted or off-centre.
An authorised Linn retailer can inspect the cartridge and advise on the current service or replacement options.
Krystal or Koil?
Koil and Krystal provide two different entry points into Linn moving coil cartridge ownership.
Linn Koil
- Entry-level Linn moving coil cartridge
- Nude Microlinear stylus
- Boron cantilever
- Conventional two-point mounting
- 0.4 mV output
- Fitted to Majik LP12 MC
Linn Krystal
- Higher-level moving coil cartridge
- Vital Fine Line stylus
- Aluminium-tube cantilever
- Rigid three-point mounting
- 0.5 mV output
- Precision-machined 7075 aluminium body
Krystal offers the more advanced body and mounting arrangement, but the tonearm, sub-chassis and phono stage should be suitable for the upgrade.
Krystal or Kendo?
Kendo sits directly above Krystal within Linn's current moving coil cartridge range.
Linn Krystal
- Vital Fine Line stylus
- Aluminium-tube cantilever
- 7075-grade aluminium body
- Three-point mounting
- 7 g cartridge mass
- 50 to 200 O loading range
Linn Kendo
- Super Fine Line stylus
- Low-mass boron cantilever
- Nickel-coated aluminium body
- Aluminium-bronze threaded inserts
- Designed specifically for Linn Arko
- Fitted to current Selekt LP12
Kendo provides the higher-performance option, particularly when partnered with Arko and the remaining current Selekt LP12 specification.
Krystal or Adikt?
Linn positions Krystal as a significant upgrade from the Adikt moving magnet cartridge.
Linn Adikt
- Moving magnet design
- High 6.5 mV output
- Compatible MM phono stage required
- Replaceable stylus assembly
- Conventional two-point mounting
- Lower system requirements
Linn Krystal
- Low-output moving coil design
- 0.5 mV output
- Dedicated MC phono stage required
- Nude Vital Fine Line stylus
- Rigid three-point mounting
- Higher-performance LP12 upgrade
Moving from Adikt to Krystal also requires a suitable moving coil phono stage, so the complete upgrade cost and system compatibility should be considered.
Planning an LP12 Cartridge Upgrade
Krystal can provide a substantial upgrade to a suitably specified Sondek LP12, but the complete turntable should be inspected before installation.
The main bearing, tonearm, sub-chassis, suspension and motor power supply all affect the information available to the cartridge.
In some systems, servicing the LP12 or upgrading another structural component may provide a better-balanced first step.
The connected phono stage must also provide the gain and loading required by Krystal's 0.5 mV moving coil output.
Consider Krystal When
- Upgrading from Linn Adikt or Koil
- Using a compatible three-point Linn tonearm
- The LP12 is serviced and correctly adjusted
- A capable moving coil phono stage is available
- You want a step below Kendo
Check First
- Main-bearing condition
- Tonearm compatibility and bearing condition
- Sub-chassis and suspension setup
- Phono-stage gain and loading
- Overall LP12 upgrade priorities
Key Features
- High-performance low-output moving coil cartridge
- Positioned between Linn Koil and Kendo
- Natural upgrade from Linn Adikt or Koil
- Low-mass nude cartridge construction
- Nude Vital Fine Line diamond stylus
- Aluminium-tube cantilever
- Precision-machined 7075-grade aluminium body
- Carefully selected rigid adhesive system
- Cross-shaped moving coil armature
- Copper coil wire
- Linn three-point mounting arrangement
- 1.2 mm gold-plated cartridge pins
- 0.5 mV output at 5 cm per second
- Channel balance within ±1 dB at 1 kHz
- Better than 30 dB channel separation at 1 kHz
- 50 to 200 O general load-resistance range
- 100 to 1000 pF load-capacitance range
- 1.5 to 2.0 g tracking-force range
- 1.75 g nominal tracking force
- 7 g cartridge mass
- Compatible moving coil phono stage required
- Professional fitting and alignment recommended
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linn Krystal still a current cartridge?
Yes. Linn currently lists Krystal within its moving coil cartridge range, positioned beneath Kendo.
Is Krystal a moving coil cartridge?
Yes. It is a low-output moving coil cartridge producing 0.5 mV at 5 cm per second.
What stylus does Linn Krystal use?
Krystal uses a nude Vital Fine Line diamond stylus mounted on an aluminium-tube cantilever.
Does Krystal use Linn three-point mounting?
Yes. It uses Linn's rigid three-point mounting arrangement and requires a compatible headshell to use all three fixing points.
What tracking force does Krystal require?
Linn specifies a range from 1.5 to 2.0 g, with 1.75 g as the nominal setting.
What phono stage does Krystal need?
It requires a low-noise moving coil phono stage with suitable gain and adjustable or compatible electrical loading.
What loading should I use?
Linn gives a general resistance range from 50 to 200 O and capacitance from 100 to 1000 pF. The correct setting depends on the phono stage being used.
What settings should I use with Linn Uphorik?
Linn recommends 64 dB gain, 53 O resistance and 1 nF capacitance for Krystal when used with Uphorik.
Can Krystal connect to a moving magnet input?
No. A moving magnet-only input normally provides insufficient gain and unsuitable loading for Krystal's low-output moving coil design.
Can Krystal be fitted to a non-Linn turntable?
It may be suitable where the tonearm supports its 7 g mass, alignment requirements and three-point mounting. Compatibility should be confirmed before ordering.
Can the Krystal stylus be replaced by the user?
No. The stylus and cantilever are not intended to be replaced by the user. Contact an authorised Linn retailer if wear or damage is suspected.
Can I use wet stylus cleaner on Krystal?
Linn advises against wet cleaning products, particularly on cartridges such as Krystal that use an aluminium-tube cantilever.
Can Audio T install Linn Krystal?
Yes. Participating Audio T stores can inspect the turntable, confirm compatibility, install and align Krystal, check the LP12 suspension and configure the moving coil phono stage.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Experienced Linn Sondek LP12 specialists
- Inspection of your existing turntable before purchase
- Tonearm and cartridge compatibility checks
- Professional Linn three-point cartridge installation
- Accurate stylus and cantilever alignment
- Tracking-force and bias adjustment
- LP12 suspension setup after cartridge fitting
- Tonearm cable and cartridge-tag checks
- Moving coil phono-stage matching
- Gain, resistance and capacitance configuration
- Linn Uphorik setup and loading advice
- Help comparing Linn Koil, Krystal and Kendo
- Complete LP12 servicing and upgrade advice
- Demonstrations through participating Linn stores
- Part exchange available on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing Linn turntable and cartridge support
Contact your local Audio T store
to arrange an LP12 inspection or discuss whether Linn Krystal is the right moving coil cartridge for your tonearm and phono stage.