Linn Klimax Radikal and Keel SE LP12 upgrades
Today, Linn launches two new reference-level upgrades for Sondek LP12: a new and improved power supply, Klimax Radikal, and an all-new sub-chassis, Keel SE. These two performance-critical products raise the performance of the company’s flagship Klimax LP12 to an exhilarating, new reference benchmark. Klimax Radikal and Keel SE are the fruit of Linn’s dedication to driving LP12 forward using their inimitable expertise and tireless innovation.
Klimax Radikal
Klimax Radikal features hyper-accurate speed management technology; generating sustained, uniform rotation closer to 33⅓rpm than any turntable. You’ll experience even more music from the record groove, in perfect pitch, thanks to Klimax Radikal’s digitally managed motor control, bespoke Utopik power supply, and machined-aluminium chassis with exceptional electrical and mechanical isolation.
The Utopik power supply is critical to performance, as it possesses separate, dedicated output voltage rails for each of Klimax Radikal’s two specialised tasks: controlling the motor and providing power to internally mounted Urika phono stages. These output rails are separately self-regulating; any sudden, significant draws in power from the motor or controller don’t affect the rails supplying Urika, and vice versa. The independence of these rails ensures consistency and quality of power supplied to both the motor and phono stage, improving the performance of each.
The Utopik power supply is mounted inside its own self-contained, machined sarcophagus, nestled behind the product’s front face. The combination of its thick aluminium walls and the relative distance between it and the main Radikal board makes for superior electrical isolation inside the product.Also critical to performance is Klimax Radikal’s enhanced mechanical isolation. Weighing in at nearly 14kg, machined from three pieces of solid aluminium, and mounted on high-mass stainless- steel feet with rubber ring inserts, its beautifully machined casework is reassuringly robust in the face of external influences.
Keel SE
Keel SE is the super evolution of Linn’s highest-performance LP12 sub-chassis. With Keel SE, Linn’s engineers have comprehensively improved upon the original using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Thanks to this revolutionary technology, Linn has been able to evaluate all limitations of previous sub-chassis designs and break free from them, using a combination of cutting-edge virtual prototyping and their own enhanced in-house machining capabilities. The outcome is a new and visibly improved machined sub-chassis with superior stiffness, optimised resonant behaviour, and ideal distribution of mass.
An intricate bracing structure machined into the underside of Keel SE – designed using a mixture of manual and computer-aided optimisations – has helped Linn achieve their number one goal of increasing sub-chassis stiffness as much as possible. This significant 300% increase versus previous designs means that any vibrations travelling through Keel SE have their frequencies forced higher, and their energy substantially lowered. Optimised resonant behaviour allows Keel SE to better break up and dissipate problematic acoustic energy, reducing its potential impact on the delicate music signal generated by the cartridge.
Keel SE has had rigidity and mass increased precisely where it is needed versus previous designs. Particular focus has been placed on the vital path between the mounting point for Karousel bearing and the tonearm collar. The area between these has been stiffened up greatly and for very good reason. Even the slightest rocking movement of a sub-chassis and armboard will modify the physical relationship between the tonearm and platter, negatively affecting the stylus’ tracking in the record groove. Making the path between bearing and arm stiffer ensures that any change in geometry is minimised, reducing tracking distortion.
By machining aluminium from calculated areas beneath the armboard, Keel SE has its centre of mass balanced more evenly on its suspension compared to other sub-chassis models. This improves weight distribution between the springs and reduces inertia, improving the critical acoustic isolation properties of any LP12.
Pricing & availability
Klimax Radikal £11,500/$16,820/€13.680. Keel SE £4,250/$6,215/€5.060. Klimax LP12 £32,220/$45,970/€38.333