Linn Klimax LP12
High-end turntables · 2007–present In production
£25,098 UK RRP
The fully-loaded Sondek LP12: Radikal DC motor and power supply, Karousel bearing, Keel sub-chassis and the Ekstatik cartridge. The ultimate expression of a 50-year-old design.
A half-century of continuous refinement in one deck.
Model history: Linn's Karousel single-point bearing, launched in 2020, is the first main-bearing revision for the LP12 platform since the 1994 Cirkus kit, adding tighter machining tolerances and a diamond-like-carbon-coated thrust pad for a lower noise floor; it is now fitted as standard across the LP12 range including the Klimax.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: an established system where the amp, speakers and room can resolve what this deck retrieves from the groove. Less ideal for: a first turntable — the same budget goes much further spent on mid-range separates first.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- Professional setup of tracking force, alignment, azimuth and arm height is worth budgeting for at this level.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | Ekstatik MC |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | aluminium |
| Tonearm | Linn Arko / SME |
| Dimensions | 445 x 140 x 356 mm (W x H x D) |
| Finishes | Oak, Cherry, Black Ash, Rosenut, Walnut (smooth or fluted); Piano Black; Alpine White; custom colour-match to any RAL standard colour in high-gloss, satin or metallic finish; built to order |
| Warranty | 5 years parts & labour (UK); phono cartridges limited to 1 year |
| Years | 2007–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its belt-drive mechanism is the majority choice in the database (130 of 159). On price it sits toward the top of its category — 98% of priced high-end decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Linn Klimax LP12…
Retailer searches
5 UK merchants stock Linn — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cymbiosis | hifi independent | By arrangement; specialist installation | Search at Cymbiosis ↗ |
| Doug Brady HiFi | hifi independent | UK delivery; specialist setup | Search at Doug Brady HiFi ↗ |
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Grahams Hi-Fi | hifi independent | UK delivery; London demo rooms | Search at Grahams Hi-Fi ↗ |
| Hi-Fi Corner | hifi independent | UK delivery; Edinburgh & Falkirk stores | Search at Hi-Fi Corner ↗ |
Compare it
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