Turntable Reviews

Linn Klimax LP12 Record-Playing System Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Linn Klimax LP12 two-speed (33.33 and 45rpm), belt-drive turntable with Karousel Bearing, sprung Keel subchassis, and separate Radikal power supply. Equipped as a package with the Linn Ekos SE tonearm, Ekstatik moving coil cartridge, and built-in Urika RIAA phono stage.
Dimensions: 17.4" (445mm) W × 5.5" (140mm) H × 14" (356mm) D (turntable); 13.8" (350mm) W × 2.3" (60mm) H × 13.9" (355mm) D (Radikal power supply).
Serial number of unit reviewed: 1546559. Manufactured in Scotland.
Price as tested: $30,120. Approximate number of US dealers: 30. Warranty: 5 years.
Manufacturer: Linn Products Ltd., Glasgow Road, Waterfoot, Eaglesham, Glasgow G76 0EQ, Scotland, UK. Tel: (44) (0)141 307-7777. Web:linn.co.uk/us/try-linn.

COMPANY INFO
Linn Products Ltd.
Glasgow Road
Waterfoot, Eaglesham, Glasgow G76 0EQ
Scotland, UK
(44) (0)141 307-7777
linn.co.uk/us/try-linn
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
volvic's picture
Submitted by volvic on June 8, 2022 - 12:50pm

Own three LP12's and love them all. Gosh! I need that Argerich record.

daveyf's picture
Submitted by daveyf on June 8, 2022 - 8:43pm

For a Linn LP12 Klimax with the Tramp 2 base, I'm not sure why anyone would use the old 'Audiophile system's platform? You now have two systems designed to minimize vibration, probably working against each other!
The other question is how familiar Trei is with setting up the current LP12? Set up is quite crucial with the LP12, more so than ever in many respects!

Jim Austin's picture
Submitted by Jim Austin on June 9, 2022 - 6:41am

... certainly no one in the NYC area, is more skilled and experienced with LP12 setup than Michael Trei. Indeed, Trei was Linn's choice for setting up this new LP12.

Jim Austin, Editor
Stereophile

shinri's picture
Submitted by shinri on June 22, 2022 - 8:31pm

The Audiophile Systems Platform is not an "isolation platform" in the traditional sense. Audiophile Systems (who were the US Linn importer at the time when it was made) designed it to be the embodiment of the "lightweight rigid platform" that Linn has always promoted as the best support for an LP12. It is simply a rectangular hardwood board, with an adjustable spike foot in each corner, making it essentially a tabletop equivalent of something like a Sound Organisation, Archidee, or AudioTech stand. It has no damping, absorbent anything, squishy feet, springs, or anything else in it to provide isolation. It just rigidly couples the deck to the underlying cabinet, on a surface with a minimum amount of mass that can store energy.
While its performance is certainly less effective on a Trampolin equipped LP12, it will in no way interfere with the Trampolin's own functioning or effectiveness.

jfogden's picture
Submitted by jfogden on June 9, 2022 - 2:47am

Amen

daveyf's picture
Submitted by daveyf on June 9, 2022 - 10:52am

The Tramp 2 and the old 'audiophile systems' platform, which probably counter acted each other! The Tramp 2 is designed to work alone with no further assistance from isolation, which i discovered myself by making this very same mistake. Luckily, it is easy to rectify.

otaku's picture
Submitted by otaku on June 9, 2022 - 5:32pm

Literally jumped? Was there something wrong with the suspension?

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on June 10, 2022 - 11:44am

and once again, honest observations were tantamount to all else.

Thank you Herb.

hemingway's picture
Submitted by hemingway on December 1, 2022 - 8:25am

beating a dead horse, this will fall on deaf ears (etc. with these kinds of phrases). BUT, the pricing of this (and most) components is just out of this world in the stratosphere. Such a shame the market can't support real world prices so normal people can enjoy these products. Even if you have the money... why....

tonye's picture
Submitted by tonye on November 3, 2023 - 11:27pm

I've had my Linn since '89. It has changed over the years... the latest is the Radikal which is actually a steal. The noise level has.. dissapeared.

One of the things I love about it, is how you can move along in the years and finances and update a piece at a time... with other tables you got to buy everything, every time... not so with the Linn which is designed to be fully upgradeable.. The Keel looks expensive, very much so, but it's a lot cheaper than buying a whole new table, huh?

And there are used parts all over the place... The Radikal I bought new... wow!

In my will, I'm getting buried with my Linn!

My son says he might replace it with a picture of it.... darn kid.

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