For owners of the legendary Linn Sondek LP12, Linn continues to deliver on its upgrade philosophy: not reinventing the wheel, but refining every element. Their latest unveiling — the Klimax Radikal and Keel SE — represent a new performance frontier for LP12 devotees.

Below is a breakdown of what’s new, why it matters, and how your system can benefit.

What’s New?

Klimax Radikal (Next‑Gen Motor Control & Power Supply)

Linn’s fresh Radikal replaces the previous Radikal Machined unit, bringing several key enhancements:

  • Incorporates Linn’s Utopik power supply, now giving separate isolated voltage rails for motor and phono stage. This helps reduce interference and cross‑noise between subsystems.

  • The chassis is reworked for improved electrical and mechanical isolation. Linn uses three solid aluminium sections and mounts them on robust stainless steel feet (with damping rubber rings) to reduce mechanical coupling to the floor or stand.

  • The upgraded Radikal is more than just a “power box” — it now applies even tighter speed calibration (auto‑calibration each time the unit is powered on) to ensure ultra‑stable 33⅓ rpm performance.

  • For those who already have a Radikal Machined, Linn offers a Utopik Miniline upgrade, effectively boosting your existing unit toward the new specification without total replacement.

Keel SE (Refined Sub‑Chassis & Armboard)

Keel SE is Linn’s next evolution of their flagship sub‑chassis / tonearm mounting system. Key improvements:

  • Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Linn reworked internal bracing and geometry, achieving a ~300% increase in stiffness over the prior design.

  • Lower inertia, optimized mass distribution, and improved acoustic isolation help reduce resonances and mechanical noise paths.

  • A separate tonearm mounting collar is introduced, yielding a cleaner, smoother top surface while preserving alignment precision between the tonearm, bearing, and motor spindle.

Why These Matter (Sonic Benefits)

  • Greater speed accuracy & pitch stability: The Radikal upgrade ensures your platter is held within even tighter tolerances, so music is presented in truer pitch and timing.

  • Noise floor reduction: Cleaner power rails, lower electromagnetic interference, and better mechanical isolation all conspire to push background ‘hiss’ and hum further away from audible range.

  • Improved transient clarity: More rigid structure and better suppression of vibrations let subtle musical transients (attack, leading edges) emerge without “smearing.”

  • Enhanced resolution & dynamics: With fewer internal distortions, the system can deliver more contrast between quiet and loud, more “air,” and deeper insight into micro-details in your records.

  • Future‑proof modularity: Linn’s approach means you don’t need a brand-new turntable — both Radikal and Keel SE can be retrofitted into many existing LP12 systems.

Pricing & Availability (UK / General)

While regional prices may vary, here’s a rough guide based on Linn’s announcements and reporting:

  • Klimax Radikal (new external supply) — ~ £11,500 (UK)

  • Keel SE (sub‑chassis & armboard) — ~ £4,250 (UK)

  • Utopik Miniline upgrade (for existing Radikal Machined units) — separate (lower) cost than full replacement

Who Should Consider These Upgrades?

  • Owners with current Radikal / Keel / Keel Machined setups who want more from their LP12 without switching brand.

  • Avid vinyl listeners and audiophiles who demand ultra-high precision, lower distortion, and longer-term reliability.

  • People building toward a reference system — these upgrades push your LP12 closer to top-tier performance.

  • Those who love “tweakability” — even after 40+ years, the LP12 remains modular. Linn’s new offerings are added proof that the platform can continue to evolve.