The Linn Adikt is billed as a high-quality high-output (6.5mV) moving-magnet cartridge. With its aluminum cantilever and replaceable Gyger II stylus, the plastic-bodied Linn Adikt is specified as 7 grams in weight, and its recommended tracking force is 1.75 grams. The Linn Adikt comes packaged with long Allen-head screws that youll likely need as the cartridge threads are deeper than usual (the body is threaded, which means no fumbling around with loose nuts). Also included is a hex key to fit the screws and wire jumpers for those tonearms that require them. The instructions provided with the Linn Adikt are of the Ikea school -- international pictograms without verbiage -- and show how to mount the cartridge in the most basic fashion. No alignment gauges or other tools are included.
According to Linn, the Adikt is suitable for use in either of its own tonearms, the Ekos and Akito, or, with slight modifications, in non-Linn 'arms. In order to align the Adikt in a Linn tonearm, the cartridge uses two plastic posts that protrude from the top and fit into recesses in the tonearm. This works in much the same way as the third mounting hole on Rega tonearms, which matches up with a corresponding hole in Rega cartridges. If youre using a Linn 'arm, the posts make things really easy as theres no fussing with alignment -- just screw the cartridge on and youre set.
When it came time to mount the Linn Adikt cartridge, I had one further difficulty: The screws felt as though they were cross-threading into the body. So I backed them out and removed the cartridge from the tonearm. On further investigation, I got the impression that the screws werent really cross-threading, but rather cutting their way into the plastic, which wasnt exactly reassuring. I re-mounted the cartridge by pushing the screws in with more torque than I felt was ideal, but the cartridge ended up level and true.
Deep, authoritative, and dynamic, the Linn Adikt's low-end also proved tuneful, reasonably tight, and definitely rhythmic. There was just the slightest bit of bloat, but definitely not enough to invoke the term boomy.
As a reviewer, I am always removing expensive components from my system and replacing them with ones of lesser expense. And more often than not, I am happy to get my own gear back into the system at the end of the review period. But the Linn Adikt is very capable of producing a convincing and enjoyable musical performance, and I felt no pressing need to return to my Roksan Shiraz cartridge. And thats about the biggest compliment its possible to give to a product in the Adikts price range. Sure, you can do better at a much higher price, but if you can only swing $349, odds are youll be happy with the Linn Adikt in your system. I certainly was.
The Adikt moving-magnet cartridge is the newest addition to the Linn family of cartridges, providing a cost-effective entry into the world of faithful and accurate vinyl reproduction.
Entry level moving magnet cartridge
Rigid body
Linn Adikt Finely detailed and dynamic sound
Replaceable stylus
Suitable for wide range of tonearms
Designed for quick and simple installation

Introduced 2002
Type Moving Linn Adikt magnet phono cartridge
Stylus Gyger II (replacable)
Tracking force 1.5g - 2.0g (1.75g nom)
Cantilever Aluminium
Coil Linn Adikt wire Copper
Pin connection type 1.2mm (gold)
Recommended load resistance 47kohms
Load capacitance 150 - 200pF
Weight 7.0g
Separation 25dB at 1kHZ
Channel balance 2dB at 1kHz
Linn Adikt Output at 5cm/s 1kHz 6.5mV 1.5dB