New Linn Klimax Solo amplifier

22 May 2025

Today marks the launch of Klimax Solo 500 mono amplifier – the replacement for Linn’s most successful amplifier ever – Klimax Solo.

A tough act to follow then, and Solo 500 is a complete redesign from fundamentals. Linn engineers have maximised the potential of every cubic millimetre within its machined-from-solid enclosure to create a product that improves upon its legendary predecessor in every conceivable way – but which still, crucially, boasts a compact form factor.

Solo 500 retains it’s predecessor’s trademark ‘shark gill’ vents on top and has an identical footprint, though this time with three, not four, solid steel feet impregnated with rubber ‘o’-rings to provide stability and isolation. Internally however, Solo 500 is completely different. Linn’s latest tech innovations, developed largely for Klimax Solo 800, the flagship monoblock launched last year, feature heavily in Solo 500, helping make it the best compact monoblock amplifier Linn has ever made. The combination of Adaptive Bias Control and sophisticated hybrid cooling matrix with intelligent fan management, results in a Class AB amplifier that is far greater than the sum of its parts, yet remarkably smaller than its counterparts.

Key features:
•  Adaptive Bias Control persistently applies ideal bias current
•  Hybrid Cooling Matrix with intelligent fan management
•  85x lower THD+N measurements than original Solo
•  Superb build quality with brand-new, high design casework and details
•  Utopik featuring auto-voltage rails

Adaptive Bias Control
Premiered in Linn’s 360 flagship active loudspeakers, Adaptive Bias Control essentially solves the fundamental performance and consistency issues associated with Class AB design.

During operation, the optimum bias current is established intelligently in real-time. The current supplied to each of eight output transistors is measured, sampled and digitised continuously; a powerful FPGA processor uses this data to calculate the requisite bias at that precise moment, whilst simultaneously implementing a digital control loop to adjust and hold bias current at its measured optimum for the transistors.

What this means for the listener is ideal output, operation and hence musical performance at all times, regardless of sudden dynamic changes in the audio input signal, for the entirety of the amp’s life.

Intelligent fan management basically means you never hear the fan! Two fans positioned deep inside the amp provide active cooling, forcing air around the cooling matrix and out through the gills. Speed is determined by a combination of internal temperature and signal input, ensuring the fans run at the lowest possible speed at any given time, providing ample cooling to avoid overheating and maintaining ideal performance and efficiency. The fans only work hard when the amplifier does, i.e. when the music is really LOUD. When volume is reduced, the fans slow or switch off as no longer required to dissipate heat. So there is nothing to hear. Ingenious 😊

Solo 500 performs optimally from the moment it’s powered on for the first time, and throughout its long lifespan; an amplifier that can be driven hard for protracted listening sessions of wildly dynamic material, and yet remain silently cool; an amplifier with huge available power, devastatingly low noise floor and eighty-five times lower distortion measurements than its predecessor. Solo 500 is a small amp, with big credentials.

Trade In Scheme
We heard Solo 500 against current Solo at Linn HQ last month. It is a staggering upgrade and an ideal drop-in replacement for existing systems which feature original Klimax Solo. As such, a Linn-supported trade-in incentive is in place, giving a guaranteed minimum trade-in of £3,000 for old Solo against new. And more, depending on the condition of your old Solo(s).

Solo 500 is available in anodised Black or Silver finish; RRP is £23,500.

Original Klimax Solo will still be available to order until August ’25.