Linn Koil Moving Coil Cartridge

Linn Koil is an entry-level low-output moving coil cartridge developed for customers taking their first step beyond moving magnet vinyl playback.

It is available as a cartridge upgrade for a suitable existing turntable and is also fitted as standard to the Linn Majik LP12 MC .

Koil combines a nude Microlinear diamond stylus with a stiff, low-mass boron cantilever and a low-output moving coil generator.

These components work together to convert the very small movements of the stylus within the record groove into an electrical signal for a compatible moving coil phono stage.

A First Step into Moving Coil Playback

Koil is positioned as the entry point into Linn's moving coil cartridge range.

Moving coil cartridges generally produce a much lower electrical output than moving magnet designs, but their lighter moving generator can respond quickly to small and rapidly changing groove movements.

Koil produces 0.4 mV at 5 cm per second and therefore requires considerably more gain than the Linn Adikt moving magnet cartridge .

The connected phono stage must provide a dedicated moving coil input or suitable adjustable gain and loading.

Nude Microlinear Stylus

Koil uses a nude Microlinear diamond stylus.

A nude stylus is formed from a complete piece of diamond rather than a diamond tip mounted to a separate metal shank.

This reduces unnecessary mass at the end of the cantilever, helping the stylus respond more readily to small groove movements.

The Microlinear profile uses a narrow contact shape designed to follow fine groove modulation while maintaining contact over a relatively long vertical area of the groove wall.

This can help the cartridge retrieve detailed high-frequency information and track demanding record passages when it is aligned correctly.

Low-Mass Boron Cantilever

The stylus is mounted on a boron cantilever.

The cantilever transfers the movements of the stylus to the moving coil generator within the cartridge.

Boron combines high stiffness with low mass, allowing the cantilever to respond quickly while resisting unwanted bending and flexing.

Reducing movement within the cantilever helps more of the information retrieved by the stylus reach the generator.

The boron cantilever is a delicate precision component and must not be touched, pushed sideways or used as a handling point.

Low-Output Moving Coil Generator

In a moving coil cartridge, lightweight coils connected to the cantilever move within a fixed magnetic field.

The movement generates the small electrical signal that is passed through the tonearm wiring to the phono stage.

Koil uses a trapezial armature and copper coil wire within its moving coil generator.

Linn specifies an internal impedance of 12 O and an output voltage of 0.4 mV at 5 cm per second.

These figures place Koil firmly within the low-output moving coil category.

Two-Point Cartridge Mounting

Koil uses a conventional two-point cartridge mounting arrangement.

Two screws pass through the tonearm headshell and secure the cartridge body in position.

The slotted headshell allows the cartridge to be moved forwards, backwards and slightly rotated so that the stylus and cantilever can be aligned correctly.

Unlike Linn Kendo and Ekstatik, Koil does not use Linn's three-point mounting system.

Its conventional mounting makes it potentially suitable for a wider range of compatible tonearms, although mechanical compatibility must still be checked.

Designed for Majik LP12 MC

Koil is fitted as standard to the Majik LP12 MC alongside the Krane tonearm, Karousel bearing, Majik aluminium sub-chassis, internal Majik power supply and Solid Base.

This provides a factory-specified moving coil version of Linn's entry-level Sondek LP12 package.

The Krane tonearm provides the required cartridge mounting, tracking-force adjustment and low-friction bearing system for Koil.

Koil may also be fitted to a suitable existing LP12 or another compatible turntable, subject to the tonearm, phono stage and overall system.

Tonearm Compatibility

Koil weighs 7.6 g and requires a tonearm capable of balancing this mass and applying the specified tracking force.

The tonearm must also provide suitable alignment adjustment for the cartridge's two-point mounting arrangement.

Effective mass, bearing condition, counterweight range and headshell clearance should all be checked.

Physical mounting alone does not guarantee that the cartridge and tonearm form a suitable mechanical combination.

Moving Coil Phono Stage Required

Koil cannot normally be used with a moving magnet-only phono input.

Its 0.4 mV output is far lower than the output from a typical moving magnet cartridge.

A compatible moving coil phono stage provides the additional gain required to raise this signal to a level suitable for an amplifier.

The phono stage must also apply the RIAA equalisation used during record production and provide an appropriate electrical load for the cartridge.

Recommended Phono-Stage Loading

Linn specifies 100 O as the recommended load resistance and 1 nF as the recommended load capacitance.

Linn's wider technical guidance allows a resistance range between 42 O and 1 kO, with 100 O used as the baseline setting.

Where the phono stage provides adjustment, alternative supported settings may be compared by listening.

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.

1.8 to 2.2g Tracking Force

Linn specifies a tracking-force range from 1.8 to 2.2 g, with 2.0 g as the nominal setting.

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

The setting must be high enough to maintain stable groove contact without placing unnecessary pressure on the cartridge suspension or record.

Using less than the recommended force is not safer. An underweighted stylus 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 aligned and the tonearm has been balanced.

Bias and Anti-Skate Adjustment

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.

Incorrect bias may affect tracking, channel balance and stylus position within the groove.

The final setting should follow the tonearm manufacturer's instructions and be checked as part of the complete cartridge installation.

Channel Balance and Separation

Linn specifies channel balance of 1.0 dB at 1kHz.

Channel balance describes how closely the electrical output from the left and right sides of the cartridge matches.

Channel separation is specified at 27 dB at 1kHz and describes the cartridge's ability to keep information from the two stereo groove walls distinct.

Accurate alignment and secure cartridge connections also contribute to stable stereo imaging and clearly defined placement between the loudspeakers.

Gold-Plated Cartridge Pins

Koil uses 1.2 mm gold-plated connection pins.

These provide the electrical connection between the cartridge generator and the fine signal wires within the tonearm.

The signal produced by Koil is extremely small, so clean and mechanically secure connections are particularly important.

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

Professional Installation Recommended

Cartridge fitting requires accurate tools and careful handling of the exposed stylus and cantilever.

The cartridge must be mounted securely, aligned to the correct geometry and connected without damaging the tonearm wires.

Tracking force and bias must then be measured and adjusted.

On a suspended Linn LP12, changing the cartridge may also affect the balance of the suspended sub-chassis, so the suspension and tonearm cable should be checked after installation.

Stylus Cleaning

The stylus should be kept clean so that dust does not collect around the diamond and interfere with groove contact.

Linn recommends cleaning in the same direction that the record travels beneath the cartridge, moving gently from the rear of the cartridge towards the front.

Do not brush sideways across the cantilever and do not blow directly onto the stylus, as this may introduce moisture or dirt into the cartridge mechanism.

Linn generally advises against wet stylus-cleaning fluids because liquid can travel along the cantilever and affect the cartridge suspension.

Koil uses a solid boron cantilever, so suitable specialist products may be used only in accordance with Linn's current guidance and the cleaner manufacturer's instructions.

Record and Cartridge Care

Clean records reduce the amount of dust and debris collected by the stylus during playback.

Always use the tonearm cueing mechanism where practical and avoid lowering the cartridge by hand.

Stop using the cartridge following an accidental impact or if the cantilever appears bent or displaced.

The Koil stylus is not intended to be replaced by the user. An authorised Linn retailer should inspect the cartridge if wear or damage is suspected.

Koil or Adikt?

Koil and Adikt provide moving coil and moving magnet options for the Majik LP12.

Koil provides the more advanced moving coil route, but customers must include the cost and compatibility of an appropriate MC phono stage when planning the upgrade.

Koil or Kendo?

Koil and Kendo occupy different levels within Linn's moving coil cartridge range.

Kendo offers the higher-performance route, but the tonearm, sub-chassis, phono stage and wider LP12 specification should be considered before moving beyond Koil.

Planning an LP12 Cartridge Upgrade

Koil can provide a worthwhile upgrade to a suitable existing LP12, particularly where the turntable currently uses a moving magnet cartridge.

The complete turntable should still be inspected before installation.

Main-bearing condition, tonearm bearings, sub-chassis, suspension, power supply and phono-stage compatibility all influence the final result.

In some cases, servicing the turntable or correcting its setup may be the most effective first step.

Key Features

• Entry-level Linn low-output moving coil cartridge
• Natural moving coil upgrade from Linn Adikt
• Fitted as standard to Majik LP12 MC
• Designed to work with Linn Krane tonearm
• Nude Microlinear diamond stylus
• Low-mass boron cantilever
• Trapezial moving coil armature
• Copper coil wire
• Conventional two-point cartridge mounting
• 1.2 mm gold-plated connection pins
• 0.4 mV output at 5 cm per second
• 12 O internal impedance
• 100 O recommended load resistance
• 42 O to 1 kO supported loading range
• 1 nF recommended load capacitance
• 1.8 to 2.2 g tracking-force range
• 2.0 g nominal tracking force
• 1.0 dB channel balance at 1kHz
• 27 dB channel separation at 1kHz
• 7.6 g cartridge mass
• Compatible moving coil phono stage required
• Professional fitting and alignment recommended

Frequently Asked Questions