Linn Kendo Moving Coil Cartridge

The Linn Kendo is an elite moving coil cartridge developed for the Sondek LP12 turntable.

It sits between the entry-level Koil and Linn's reference Ekstatik cartridge, bringing several of the construction principles used in the flagship model to a more accessible level.

A cartridge converts the movement of its stylus within the record groove into an electrical signal. The quality of the stylus, cantilever, generator, cartridge body, tonearm and final installation all influence how accurately this signal is produced.

Kendo has therefore been designed as part of a complete mechanical system rather than as an isolated component.

Low-Output Moving Coil Design

Kendo is a low-output moving coil cartridge.

In a moving coil design, lightweight coils attached to the cantilever move within a fixed magnetic field as the stylus follows the record groove.

Reducing the moving mass allows the stylus and cantilever assembly to respond quickly to small and rapidly changing groove modulations.

Kendo produces an output of 0.45 mV at 3.54 cm per second. This is considerably lower than the output from a typical moving magnet cartridge, so a compatible moving coil phono stage is required.

Super-Fine-Line Stylus

Kendo uses a super-fine-line diamond stylus.

The stylus is the part of the cartridge that follows the two walls of the record groove. Its shape has a direct effect on tracking accuracy, distortion, detail retrieval and contact with the recorded surface.

The fine contact profile is designed to follow small groove modulations while maintaining stable contact during demanding musical passages.

It can retrieve detailed high-frequency information and subtle changes in tone, timing and space when the cartridge is installed correctly.

The precision of the stylus profile also makes alignment particularly important. Incorrect overhang or offset angle can prevent the diamond from sitting correctly within the groove.

Low-Mass Boron Cantilever

The super-fine-line stylus is mounted on a boron cantilever.

The cantilever transfers movement from the stylus to the moving coil generator inside the cartridge.

Boron combines high stiffness with low mass, helping the cantilever respond quickly while resisting unwanted bending or flexing.

A stiff cantilever reduces mechanical loss between the stylus and generator, allowing more of the movement retrieved from the record groove to reach the cartridge coils.

The cantilever is a delicate precision component and should never be touched or pushed sideways.

Rigid 7075-Grade Aluminium Body

Kendo uses a rigid body machined from 7075-grade aluminium.

This high-strength aluminium alloy provides a stable structure for the stylus, cantilever and moving coil generator without making the cartridge unnecessarily heavy.

The body is nickel coated, providing a durable surface finish while forming part of the cartridge's controlled mechanical construction.

A rigid body reduces unwanted movement between the generator, cartridge mounting points and tonearm headshell.

This allows the stylus movement to be converted into an electrical signal rather than being partially absorbed by flexing within the cartridge structure.

Designed to Partner the Linn Arko

Kendo was developed as the matching cartridge for the Linn Arko tonearm .

Both components use 7075-grade aluminium within their main structures, helping create consistent mechanical behaviour between the cartridge body, headshell, arm tube and LP12 sub-chassis.

Linn's intention is to direct unwanted resonant energy away from the delicate cartridge generator, along the tonearm and into the suspended turntable structure.

The Kendo and Arko combination is fitted as standard to the Linn Selekt LP12.

Kendo may be compatible with other suitable tonearms, but cartridge mass, mounting, geometry, effective mass and counterweight capacity must all be checked before installation.

Aluminium-Bronze Threaded Inserts

The cartridge body contains aluminium-bronze threaded mounting inserts.

These provide strong and accurately positioned threads for attaching Kendo to a compatible tonearm headshell.

The combination of aluminium-bronze inserts and the main aluminium body also helps control the way mechanical energy moves through the cartridge structure.

The mounting screws should be tightened securely enough to create a rigid connection, but excessive force may damage the cartridge body, inserts or tonearm headshell.

Three-Point Cartridge Mounting

Kendo uses Linn's three-point cartridge mounting arrangement.

Two fixing points are positioned towards the sides of the cartridge, with a third mounting point at the rear centre.

The additional fixing point creates a more rigid connection between the cartridge body and a compatible Linn tonearm.

Reducing movement at this joint helps prevent musical information from being lost through flexing between the cartridge and headshell.

The three-point arrangement also helps maintain stable cartridge geometry once Kendo has been aligned and tightened correctly.

Square Moving Coil Armature

Kendo uses a square armature within its moving coil generator.

The armature supports the coils that move through the cartridge's magnetic field as the cantilever responds to the record groove.

Its shape and mass influence the balance, movement and electrical performance of the generator assembly.

The coils are wound using high-purity 4N copper wire, referring to copper with a stated purity of 99.99%.

Gold-Plated Connection Pins

Kendo uses 1.2 mm gold-plated connection pins.

These provide the electrical link between the cartridge generator and the fine signal wires inside the tonearm.

A moving coil cartridge produces an extremely small signal, making clean and mechanically secure connections particularly important.

Loose, oxidised or damaged cartridge tags may cause hum, intermittent sound, channel imbalance or complete loss of one channel.

Fitted to the Linn Selekt LP12

Kendo forms part of the standard Linn Selekt LP12 specification.

In this configuration, it is partnered with the Arko tonearm, Kore sub-chassis, Karousel bearing, Lingo power supply and Trampolin suspended base.

These components are selected to work together as a complete mechanical system.

Kendo can also be installed as an upgrade to a suitable existing Sondek LP12, subject to the tonearm, sub-chassis, phono stage and condition of the turntable.

Cartridge and Tonearm Compatibility

Kendo has a cartridge mass of 7.6 g.

The connected tonearm must be able to balance this weight, apply the specified 2.0 g tracking force and provide sufficient adjustment for accurate cartridge alignment.

Tonearm effective mass and cartridge compliance must also form a suitable mechanical combination.

A cartridge fitting physically beneath a headshell does not automatically mean that it can be balanced, aligned and operated correctly.

0.45 mV Output

Linn specifies an output voltage of 0.45 mV at 3.54 cm per second.

This low-level signal requires considerably more amplification than the output from a typical moving magnet cartridge.

The connected moving coil phono stage must provide suitable gain without adding excessive noise or overloading the following amplifier input.

Phono-stage gain should be selected alongside the electrical loading and output sensitivity of the remaining system.

Phono-Stage Loading

Linn's current product specification recommends a load resistance of 100 O and load capacitance of 1 nF.

Linn's technical documentation also identifies a wider supported resistance range from 42 O to 1 kO, with the final value determined by listening where the phono stage provides adjustment.

The 100 O setting provides the appropriate starting point for most installations.

Lower resistance values apply a heavier electrical load to the cartridge, while higher values provide lighter loading.

The audible result also depends on the phono stage, tonearm cable and wider Hi-Fi system.

Internal Impedance

Kendo has an internal impedance of 12 O.

This figure forms part of the electrical relationship between the cartridge, tonearm cable and phono-stage input.

The phono stage should provide suitable loading for this low-output moving coil design rather than being selected only according to gain.

2.0 g Tracking Force

Linn specifies a tracking force of 2.0 g for Kendo.

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

It must be sufficient to maintain stable groove contact without applying unnecessary pressure to the cartridge suspension or record.

Using less tracking force than specified is not safer. An underweighted stylus may lose contact with the groove and mistrack, potentially causing increased distortion and record wear.

Tracking force should be measured using an accurate stylus-force gauge after the cartridge has been installed and the tonearm has been balanced correctly.

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.

The final bias setting should be configured alongside the specified 2.0 g tracking force.

Cartridge overhang, offset angle, tracking force, bias and tonearm height all influence the way the stylus sits within the groove.

On a suspended Linn LP12, changing the cartridge can also affect the balance and movement of the sub-chassis.

Channel Balance and Separation

Linn specifies channel balance of less than 1 dB at 1 kHz.

Channel balance describes how closely the output of the left and right channels matches.

Channel separation is specified as better than 28 dB at 1 kHz and indicates 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.

Neutral and Balanced Presentation

Linn designed Kendo to provide a level and neutral tonal balance rather than adding excessive bass warmth or exaggerated high-frequency brightness.

This does not mean the cartridge is intended to sound restrained or lacking in character.

The aim is to allow differences between records, recordings and performances to remain audible without the cartridge imposing the same tonal emphasis on every album.

The final result will still depend on the tonearm, turntable setup, phono stage and wider Hi-Fi system.

Linn Urika and External Phono Stages

Kendo can be used with a suitable external moving coil phono stage or with a compatible internal Linn LP12 phono stage.

Linn Urika is an internal analogue moving coil phono stage mounted beneath the LP12 sub-chassis.

Urika II converts and processes the cartridge signal within the turntable before sending it digitally over Exakt Link to a compatible Linn network music player.

The correct arrangement depends on the remaining Linn system, the required connections and the intended upgrade path.

Audio T can help configure the gain and loading for a compatible external or internal phono stage.

Professional Installation

Fitting Kendo involves handling an exposed super-fine-line stylus and boron cantilever while making secure electrical and mechanical connections.

The cartridge must be positioned accurately within the tonearm headshell before the mounting screws, tracking force and bias are set.

On an LP12, the suspension and tonearm cable dressing should also be checked after installation.

Stylus Cleaning and Cartridge Care

The stylus should be kept clean so dust and contamination do not build up around the diamond.

Linn recommends cleaning the stylus gently in the direction that the record travels beneath the cartridge.

Do not blow directly onto the stylus, as this may introduce dirt or moisture into the cartridge mechanism.

Linn generally advises against wet stylus cleaners because liquid may travel into the cartridge or affect its suspension.

As Kendo uses a solid boron cantilever, Linn states that Lyra SPT may be used according to the product instructions. Contact your Audio T store for guidance before applying any cleaning product.

Stylus Wear and Inspection

Stylus life depends on record cleanliness, alignment, tracking force, playing time and the condition of the records being used.

A worn or damaged stylus may produce increased distortion, reduced clarity or unreliable tracking.

The Kendo stylus is not intended to be replaced by the user.

Stop using the cartridge after an accidental impact or if the cantilever appears bent, twisted or displaced.

An authorised Linn retailer can inspect the cartridge and advise on the available replacement or exchange options.

Kendo or Koil?

Kendo and Koil are both moving coil cartridges, but they occupy different performance levels within Linn's range.

Moving from Koil to Kendo should be considered alongside the tonearm, sub-chassis, phono stage and remaining LP12 specification.

Kendo or Ekstatik?

Kendo incorporates several design principles developed for Linn's flagship Ekstatik cartridge, but the two models use different materials and occupy different levels within the LP12 range.

Ekstatik represents Linn's reference cartridge, but the best upgrade depends on the complete turntable and phono-stage system rather than the cartridge alone.

Planning an LP12 Cartridge Upgrade

Kendo can provide a substantial improvement to a suitably specified LP12, but the complete turntable should be inspected before the cartridge is changed.

The condition of the main bearing, tonearm, sub-chassis, suspension and power supply all affect the information available to the cartridge.

In some systems, a service or another structural upgrade may provide a more balanced improvement before Kendo is fitted.

The phono stage must also provide the gain, loading and noise performance required by a 0.45 mV moving coil cartridge.

Key Features

• Elite low-output moving coil cartridge
• Designed for the Linn Sondek LP12
• Fitted as standard to Selekt LP12
• Developed to partner the Linn Arko tonearm
• Super-fine-line diamond stylus
• Low-mass boron cantilever
• Rigid 7075-grade aluminium body
• Nickel-coated cartridge body
• Aluminium-bronze threaded mounting inserts
• Rigid Linn three-point mounting system
• Square moving coil armature
• High-purity 4N copper coil wire
• 1.2 mm gold-plated connection pins
• 0.45 mV output at 3.54 cm per second
• 12 O internal impedance
• Better than 28 dB channel separation at 1 kHz
• Less than 1 dB channel balance at 1 kHz
• 100 O recommended load resistance
• 1 nF recommended load capacitance
• 2.0 g tracking force
• 7.6 g cartridge mass
• Compatible moving coil phono stage required
• Professional installation and alignment recommended

Frequently Asked Questions