New Linn Ekstatik reference cartridge and Radikal 2 for LP12
30 October 2021
While the Linn Karousel upgrades just keep on coming, we now have more upgrade options for your LP12!
“Stop throwing your vinyl records away – you haven’t heard what’s on them yet!”
– Ivor Tiefenbrun, 1989
And after a further three decades of continuous improvement, you probably still haven’t! But here’s a big step towards it. Linn has just announced two huge upgrades to Klimax LP12: Ekstatik – a new reference moving coil cartridge and Radikal 2 – new reference power supply plus the return of an old favourite – heritage fluted plinth.
Existing Radikals can be upgraded to the new version, and of course there is a trade-in offer for existing Lingo and Linn cartridge owners, details below.
Radikal 2
Originally launched 12 years ago, Radikal power supply has been revamped to take advantage of engineering improvements for a more accurately sustained 33⅓ rpm than ever before.
New Radikal: New motor control unit, motor and power supply features:
~ Sustained rotation closer to 33⅓ rpm than ever before, thanks to a hyper-accurate and responsive FPGA-managed motor control unit.
~ New housing decouples the motor from the deck more effectively.
~ All-new, 6-layer board design facilitates shorter signal paths and yields Linn’s all-time lowest noise floor.
~ Quieter, regulated supply rails have the added halo effect of making Urika/Urika II phono stages sound even better. ‘Hyper-accurate’ speed management, whisper-quiet power supply rails and cutting-edge motor design collectively comprise new Radikal; and we all know that the more accurate and stable the speed of a turntable, the more pitch-accurate the audio information is, i.e. the better it sounds.
Radikal 2 is available in:
‘Standard’ (Akurate) enclosure – £4,250
Machined (Klimax) enclosure – £6,500.
Upgrade kits:
Radikal to Radikal 2 both enclosure types – £1,750
Ekstatik MC Cartridge
Ekstatik
In order to better Kandid, Linn conducted extensive experiments; auditioning different materials and configurations for the body, inserts, cantilever, suspension, windings and leads. The result is Ekstatik – the new jewel in the crown of the Linn cartridge range.
Ekstatik MC cartridge features:
~ Skeletonised body to achieve ideal overall mass.
~ Unique construction creates superb synergy with Ekos SE headshell – wicking away more unwanted resonances out through the sub-chassis.
~ Micro-ridge stylus on sapphire cantilever makes for an extraordinarily responsive cartridge. Sapphire is far stiffer than boron or aluminium, eliciting less loss between the stylus and the generator.
~ Featuring aluminium-bronze inserts, to reap the sonic benefits of this alloy.
~ Bespoke honeycomb cut into the cartridge body reduces mass to preferred specification.
~ Designed to outperform Linn Kandid MC cartridge.
New Radikal and Ekstatik will arrive at Adventures within a week or so.
Get in touch to book a listen:
hello@adventuresinhifi.com
01244 345 576