The
Linn Akito Tonearm
The Akito incorporates much of the technology developed for the
Ekos tonearm. In order to achieve maximum strength and rigidity,
high performance adhesives are used.
The one-piece headshell and the bearing housing are high-pressure
die-cast for added strength.
The new Linn Akito larger diameter bearing assembly minimises friction and
play. Every detail of the arm has been otpimised.
This arm sets new standards of performance at this price level.
The Axis turntable will now be supplied with the Akito arm.
A reliable, Lead in, rigid tonearm designed to do justice to a wide range of cartridges. The Linn Akito features an accurate static
tracking and precision-spring bias adjustment to protect the LP, precision bearings for reliability and consistent information
retrieval, strong headshell and main tube to provide a stable platform for the cartridge and an easy to use lift/lower control.
Linn offers two tonearm options for you to choose from, starting with the Linn Akito at $1,100, and the EKOS, used in the review model,
priced at $3,000. Both tonearms are manufactured with painstaking steps to assure precision playback.
All critical components are
machined from a solid piece of material to eliminate unwanted vibrations. Linn uses the finest alloys and adhesives to maximize the
strength and integrity of the arm. Linn tonearms use ultra low-friction bearings, assembled in a cleanroom for long-term, guaranteed
performance. In addition, The EKOS and Linn Akito both employ temperature-compensated precision springs to ensure constant tracking
and bias forces.
Either an Aro or Ekos will improve performance significantly but you are advised to listen to both carefully as performance of each is very different.
Leave the power supply until you have decided on an arm, then match with appropriate manufacturer (do not mix).
My experience, as both a user and former retailer, is that the power supply should be upgraded first. The Linn Akito is a good--not great--arm, and either an Armageddon or a Lingo will offer more fundamental musical improvements than a better arm, even if it is an Aro or Ekos.
In demonstrations, a LP12/Lingo/Basik Plus easily saw off a LP12/Valhalla/Ekos.
Similarly, an Armageddon powered LP12 with Ittok easily saw off a Valhalla LP12 with Aro.
I think the reason is that either supply provides more control over the motor and,
ultimately, the platter and vinyl/stylus interface. So the better power supply sounds more pitch accurate/in tune.
