Audio T Verdict
The Linn Klimax LP12 brings together the highest-performing components in the Sondek LP12 range to create Linn's reference turntable.
Karousel, Keel SE, Klimax Radikal, Ekos SE and Ekstatik address the bearing, suspended structure, speed control, tonearm and cartridge as one carefully matched record-playing system.
The standard Urika II configuration converts the cartridge signal within the turntable and sends it over Exakt Link to a compatible Linn DS or DSM. Every Klimax LP12 is professionally assembled, configured and installed by a Linn specialist.
Linn Klimax LP12 Reference Turntable
Klimax LP12 is Linn's flagship version of the Sondek LP12, combining more than five decades of development within one complete turntable.
Its modular construction remains recognisably LP12, but every principal component is drawn from the highest level of Linn's current turntable range.
The standard specification combines a smooth hardwood plinth and Karousel bearing with the Keel SE sub-chassis, Klimax Radikal motor system, Ekos SE tonearm, Ekstatik moving coil cartridge and Urika II internal digital phono stage.
What Is Included?
Turntable Components
- Sondek LP12 hardwood plinth
- Stainless-steel top plate
- Karousel single-point bearing
- Inner and outer platters
- Keel SE machined sub-chassis and armboard
- Suspended base for the internal phono stage
Drive and Playback Components
- Klimax Radikal motor, control unit and Utopik power supply
- Ekos SE precision tonearm
- Ekstatik moving coil cartridge
- Urika II internal digital moving coil phono stage
- Professional assembly and turntable setup
Karousel Single-Point Bearing
At the centre of Klimax LP12 is Linn's
Karousel single-point bearing
.
The bearing supports the rotating mass of the inner and outer platters and establishes the main mechanical reference for the complete turntable.
Its stainless-steel housing is secured to the Keel SE by a substantial lock nut, creating a rigid connection between the platter, spindle, bearing and suspended sub-chassis.
A low-friction Diamond-Like Carbon coated thrust pad supports the spindle at the base of the housing, helping the platter rotate smoothly and consistently.
Keel SE Sub-Chassis and Armboard
Keel SE is Linn's highest-performing LP12 sub-chassis and armboard.
It is machined from solid aluminium, integrating the bearing mounting, suspended structure and tonearm platform within one precision component.
The intricate bracing machined into its underside provides substantially greater stiffness than Linn's previous designs. Increasing stiffness pushes unwanted vibration towards higher frequencies with lower energy, reducing its effect on the delicate cartridge signal.
Material is removed from carefully calculated areas beneath the armboard to improve the distribution of mass across the LP12 suspension. This helps the three springs carry the suspended assembly more evenly and supports effective isolation from external vibration.
Klimax Radikal Motor Control and Power Supply
The external Klimax Radikal supplies the LP12 with Linn's reference motor, motor-control system and power supply.
Its speed-management system checks and adjusts the platter speed during every rotation, maintaining accurate and consistent playback at both 33? and 45 rpm.
The precious-metal brushed DC motor uses a moving coil rotor and is installed within an acoustically isolated housing inside the turntable.
The control electronics and bespoke Utopik power supply are housed within a substantial chassis machined from three pieces of solid aluminium. High-mass stainless-steel feet and compliant inserts provide further mechanical isolation.
Separate self-regulating power rails are provided for the motor-control system and the internal Urika phono stage, reducing interaction between their different electrical demands.
Klimax Radikal is available in black or silver to complement the wider system.
Ekos SE Precision Tonearm
The
Linn Ekos SE
is the flagship tonearm within the LP12 range.
Its arm tube is machined from titanium, a material selected for its combination of strength, low mass and controlled resonant behaviour.
The arm tube is supported by ultra-low-friction bearings within a stainless-steel bearing housing, allowing the stylus to follow the record groove with minimal restriction.
Temperature-compensated springs help maintain consistent tracking and bias behaviour as the tonearm and listening room warm during extended use.
Ekos SE is hand-built and provides Linn's three-point cartridge mounting arrangement for precise installation of the Ekstatik cartridge.
Ekstatik Moving Coil Cartridge
The
Linn Ekstatik
is the company's reference moving coil cartridge and was developed as the natural partner for Ekos SE.
Its 7075 aluminium body is machined with a honeycomb structure to reduce mass while retaining rigidity. Aluminium-bronze inserts and a Diamond-Like Carbon coated chassis further control the transfer of mechanical energy into the tonearm.
A micro-ridge diamond is mounted to a sapphire cantilever. The rigidity of sapphire allows very small movements at the stylus to be transmitted accurately to the generator.
Ekstatik uses three-point mounting, has a mass of approximately 7 g and tracks at 2 g. Its nominal output is 0.45 mV, making it suitable for the moving coil input provided by Urika II.
Urika II Internal Digital Phono Stage
Urika II is mounted inside the LP12 on an integrated suspended base, keeping the delicate cartridge signal path extremely short.
The phono stage converts the Ekstatik's analogue output to digital within the turntable and applies the RIAA equalisation curve using digital signal processing.
Linn measures each individual Urika II and applies correction for component tolerances. Cartridge loading can then be configured for Ekstatik or adjusted for another compatible moving coil cartridge.
The completed signal is carried from the LP12 over Exakt Link, using a standard network-style cable connection, to a compatible Linn DS or DSM.
Urika II Requires a Compatible Linn DS or DSM
Urika II does not provide a conventional analogue RCA or XLR output. It sends the music signal digitally over Exakt Link.
A compatible Exakt-enabled Linn DS or DSM must therefore be present within the system.
Linn also offers the analogue Urika moving coil phono stage for systems that require conventional analogue outputs. The correct phono-stage configuration should be agreed before the Klimax LP12 is ordered.
Contact your local Audio T store
with details of your amplifier or network player so that compatibility can be confirmed.
Standard and Optional Plinths
Klimax LP12 is fitted with Linn's smooth kiln-dried hardwood plinth as standard.
Standard wood choices include Oak, Cherry, Black Ash, Rosenut and Walnut. A fluted version of these plinths can also be specified for customers who prefer the appearance of earlier LP12 designs.
High-gloss wood finishes, Piano Black, Alpine White and bespoke RAL colour finishes are also available to order.
As wood is a natural material, grain, tone and pattern will vary between individual plinths.
Optional Bedrok™ Plinth Upgrade
Klimax LP12 can also be specified with the
Linn Bedrok™ plinth
.
Bedrok™ is made from orthogonal layers of beech compressed under extreme pressure and heat. The resulting engineered material has more than twice the density of a standard LP12 plinth and is designed to provide an exceptionally stable, low-resonance foundation.
Threaded steel inserts are used throughout, avoiding the need for the principal fittings to be screwed directly into wood. Bedrok™ is supplied in its natural laminated beech finish with a matching, specially shaped top plate.
Bedrok™ is an additional upgrade rather than part of the standard smooth-plinth Klimax LP12 specification.
Dual-Speed Operation
Klimax Radikal provides electronic selection of both 33? and 45 rpm speeds.
Speed selection and control are handled by the Radikal system without requiring the drive belt to be moved manually between pulley positions.
The control system monitors the platter during use and makes continuous fine adjustments to maintain the selected speed.
Professionally Built for Your System
Klimax LP12 is not assembled as a generic boxed product. The plinth, bearing, suspension, sub-chassis, motor, tonearm, cartridge and internal phono stage must all be installed and adjusted as one complete system.
The Linn specialist must balance the suspension, dress the tonearm cable, align the cartridge, set tracking force and bias, check platter clearance and configure the Radikal and Urika II electronics.
Urika II must also be configured within the Linn system and set for the correct cartridge loading.
Klimax LP12 Installation by Audio T
Audio T staff are qualified to build, configure and install Linn Sondek LP12 turntables.
We will help select the plinth and finish, confirm whether Urika or Urika II is appropriate, build the complete deck and configure it for the partnering system.
Delivery and installation arrangements can be discussed with your local store, including positioning, system connection and a final operational check in your listening room.
Contact your local Audio T store
to arrange a demonstration or discuss your preferred Klimax LP12 specification.
Klimax, Selekt or Majik LP12?
Majik LP12
The
Majik LP12
provides the entry point into the current LP12 ecosystem.
It combines the Karousel bearing with Linn's Majik sub-chassis, Krane tonearm and Koil moving coil cartridge.
Selekt LP12
The
Selekt LP12
adds the Kore sub-chassis, Lingo power supply, Arko tonearm and Kendo moving coil cartridge.
It provides a substantial performance step while retaining a clear future upgrade path.
Klimax LP12
Klimax uses Linn's reference Keel SE, Klimax Radikal, Ekos SE, Ekstatik and internal Urika phono-stage components.
It is the highest-performing pre-configured LP12 in the current range.
Upgradeable and Serviceable
Klimax LP12 remains part of the modular Sondek LP12 platform rather than becoming a sealed or disposable record player.
Individual components can be serviced and, where Linn develops suitable future upgrades, replaced without discarding the complete turntable.
Regular servicing allows the suspension, belt, bearing, cartridge, tonearm and electronics to be checked and keeps the turntable performing as intended.
Key Features
- Linn's flagship pre-configured Sondek LP12 turntable
- Current Karousel single-point bearing
- Keel SE machined aluminium sub-chassis and armboard
- Klimax Radikal reference motor and speed-control system
- Bespoke Utopik power supply
- Electronic 33? and 45 rpm speed selection
- Ekos SE titanium-arm-tube tonearm
- Ekstatik moving coil cartridge
- Micro-ridge stylus and sapphire cantilever
- Urika II internal digital moving coil phono stage
- Lossless digital output over Exakt Link
- Smooth kiln-dried hardwood plinth fitted as standard
- Fluted, high-gloss and bespoke plinth finishes available
- Optional Bedrok™ densified beech plinth
- Professionally built and configured by a Linn specialist
- Modular, serviceable and upgradeable construction
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Linn Klimax LP12 a complete turntable?
Yes. It includes the deck, bearing, motor system, sub-chassis, tonearm, moving coil cartridge and internal phono stage. A compatible system is still required to receive the output from the selected Urika phono stage.
Does Urika II connect to a normal analogue amplifier input?
No. Urika II sends its output digitally over Exakt Link and requires a compatible Exakt-enabled Linn DS or DSM.
Can Klimax LP12 be supplied with analogue outputs?
Linn also lists the analogue Urika moving coil phono stage as an LP12 option. Speak to Audio T before ordering so the correct phono stage can be specified for your system.
Does Klimax LP12 include the Bedrok™ plinth?
Not as standard. The normal specification uses a smooth hardwood plinth. Bedrok™ can be selected as an additional plinth upgrade.
Is the fluted LP12 plinth still a limited edition?
No. Linn currently lists both smooth and fluted standard-finish plinths among the available Klimax LP12 options.
Can it play both LPs and 45 rpm singles?
Yes. Klimax Radikal provides electronic selection of 33? and 45 rpm speeds.
Can I choose a different plinth finish?
Yes. Standard hardwood, fluted, high-gloss, special RAL colour and Bedrok™ options are available. Availability and any additional cost should be confirmed when ordering.
Can Audio T build and install the Klimax LP12?
Yes.
Contact your local Audio T store
for a demonstration, system compatibility advice, professional assembly and installation.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Experienced Linn Sondek LP12 specialists
- Demonstrations of different LP12 specifications
- Advice choosing Urika or Urika II for your system
- Guidance on standard, special-finish and Bedrok™ plinths
- Professional LP12 assembly and suspension setup
- Ekos SE and Ekstatik installation and adjustment
- Radikal and Urika II system configuration
- Delivery and home installation arrangements
- Part exchange available on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing LP12 servicing and upgrade support
Contact your local Audio T store
to arrange a demonstration or discuss the ideal Linn Klimax LP12 configuration for your system.