by Oliver Amnuayphol
"Just like a fine wine" is how I'd describe the Linn Sondek LP12: it really does get better with age. Seems like just yesterday Linn Products Ltd. introduced the first round of SE upgrades for the venerable LP12, consisting of the stunning titanium Ekos SE tonearm and the beautifully machined-from-solid aluminum Keel subchassis. Now Ivor Tiefenbrun and company have unleashed two new LP12 SE products, the Urika and Radikal. The Urika is an all new MC phono stage featuring dual-mono, balanced circuitry for either RCA or transformer-coupled XLR outputs; an all new Trampolin baseboard was designed to place the Urika directly inside the Sondek's plinth for the shortest, most direct signal path possible.
Urika phono stage
Perhaps most importantly, the Urika can only be powered by the Radikal--which may indeed be Linn's most, ahem, "radical" design evolution ever for the LP12, as it features a DC motor in addition to its motor control and power supply circuitry. Long noted for being staunch advocates of AC powered motors, the Radikal's brushed DC motor is further isolated in a low vibration/low resonance housing and uses Klimax DS-sourced on-board speed management for smooth, stable, noise-free operation.
Radikal power supply and motor control unit
All this cutting-edge tech doesn't come cheap however: The Urika will set you back about 2250 GBP (about $3700 us) and the Radikal either 2500 GBP (about $4000) or a much dearer 4500 GBP ($7400) if you spring for the machined from solid aluminum Klimax chassis. But hey, at least you can save some scrilla when you buy 'em both at once: The combo purchase will set you back either 4200 GBP ($6900, standard Radikal chassis) or 6200 GBP ($10,200, Klimax Radikal chassis). Both products available now.
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