Introducing the Linn Krystal Moving Coil Cartridge

Precision Engineering for Greater Musical Detail

Linn Krystal is a high-performance moving coil (MC) cartridge designed to extract exceptional detail, dynamics and musical expression from the grooves of your favourite records.

Positioned at the heart of Linn's cartridge range, the Krystal delivers a significant performance upgrade over the Adikt and Koil cartridges, offering improved speed, agility and refinement while serving as an ideal stepping stone towards Linn's premium moving coil models.

Built around a lightweight, rigid architecture and precision-engineered components, Krystal combines low moving mass with outstanding mechanical stability to reveal greater levels of musical information and realism from every recording.

Lightweight Design for Superior Tracking

The Krystal also employs a minimalist 'nude' design philosophy that reduces overall moving mass, allowing the stylus assembly to respond rapidly and accurately to the smallest modulations within the record groove.

By minimising inertia, the cartridge is able to track complex musical passages with greater precision, delivering improved transient response, enhanced dynamics and a more natural presentation across the entire frequency range.

This lightweight approach contributes directly to the Krystal's engaging and highly musical sound.

Precision-Machined Aluminium Body

The cartridge body is precision-machined from 7075-grade aluminium, providing an exceptionally rigid and lightweight platform for the moving coil generator.

This high-strength aerospace-grade material minimises unwanted resonance while maintaining excellent structural stability. Linn has also carefully selected the adhesive used throughout the cartridge assembly to create the most rigid bond possible, preventing unwanted energy absorption and preserving the accuracy of the cartridge's mechanical performance.

The result is improved clarity, tighter imaging and greater retrieval of fine musical detail.

Triple-Point Mounting System

The Krystal MC Cartridge features Linn's proven three-point mounting system, creating an exceptionally secure and accurately aligned connection between the cartridge and compatible Linn tonearms.

This mounting arrangement ensures optimum mechanical coupling while simplifying installation and maintaining precise alignment, allowing the cartridge to perform at its highest potential.

Vital Fine Line Stylus

A precision Vital Fine Line diamond stylus enables the Krystal to retrieve a remarkable amount of information from the record groove while maintaining excellent tracking ability.

Its refined stylus profile offers improved groove contact compared with conventional elliptical designs, resulting in lower distortion, greater detail retrieval and reduced record wear when correctly set up.

Combined with the lightweight aluminium cantilever, the stylus delivers a highly articulate and expressive performance across all musical genres.

Designed for the Linn LP12

The Krystal has been developed specifically to complement the Linn Sondek LP12 and integrates seamlessly with Linn's tonearms and wider analogue ecosystem.

Its combination of precision engineering, low moving mass and rigid construction allows LP12 owners to experience a substantial improvement in clarity, musical timing and overall realism, making it an outstanding upgrade for those seeking higher levels of analogue performance.

Product Features

• High-performance moving coil (MC) cartridge
• Precision-machined 7075-grade aluminium body
• Lightweight nude cartridge design
• Vital Fine Line diamond stylus
• Aluminium cantilever
• Triple-point mounting system
• Low-mass construction for improved tracking
• Exceptional detail retrieval and musical agility
• Designed specifically for the Linn Sondek LP12

Technical Specifications

Cartridge Type
Moving Coil (MC)

Body Material
Precision-machined 7075-grade aluminium

Stylus Profile
Vital Fine Line

Cantilever Material
Aluminium tube

Armature
Cross

Coil Wire
Copper

Pin Connection
1.2 mm gold-plated pins

Mounting Points
3

Output Voltage
0.5 mV @ 5 cm/s

Channel Balance (1 kHz)
±1 dB

Channel Separation (1 kHz)
Better than 30 dB

Recommended Load Resistance
50–200 Ω

Recommended Load Capacitance
100–1000 pF

Recommended Tracking Force
1.5–2.0 g

Cartridge Weight
7.0 g

Why We Recommend the Linn Krystal

The Linn Krystal is an excellent choice for vinyl enthusiasts looking to move into the world of high-performance moving coil cartridges. Its lightweight design, rigid aluminium body and precision Vital Fine Line stylus combine to deliver a highly engaging presentation with outstanding clarity, speed and musicality.

Offering noticeably greater detail retrieval and agility than Linn's entry-level cartridges, the Krystal reveals more of the emotion and subtlety contained within every recording while maintaining the timing and rhythmic precision for which the Sondek LP12 is renowned.

For LP12 owners seeking a significant upgrade in analogue performance without stepping into Linn's flagship cartridge range, the Krystal Moving Coil Cartridge represents an outstanding balance of engineering, musicality and long-term value.