Linn Arko Tonearm

The Arko sits in the middle of Linn's tonearm range, above the Krane and below the reference Ekos SE. It is a gimballed arm — the classic LP12 geometry — and it has been engineered around a single design principle: use the right material, in the right place, without compromise. If you are running a Majik LP12 or a mid-level build and want to take a meaningful step forward in performance, the Arko is where to start.

Design and Construction

Linn built the Arko from a single grade of aluminium throughout: 7075, the alloy used in aerospace applications where strength-to-weight ratio and consistent resonant behaviour matter. The arm wand, headshell, and counterweight spindle are all cold-drawn from the same material, machined to tight tolerances. The thinking is straightforward — when everything is made from the same material, energy moves through the structure in a consistent way and does not accumulate at material boundaries near the cartridge generator.

The gimbal platform uses a stainless-steel through-spindle, and the headshell is machined with weight-reduction pockets to lower mass without sacrificing rigidity. The bearing assembly is designed for low friction throughout its range of motion, allowing the cartridge to follow groove modulations cleanly.

Linn pairs the Arko with their Kendo cartridge — both use 7075 aluminium bodies, which creates genuine material coupling between cartridge and arm. That matching is not a marketing convenience; Linn's own measurements show reduced resonance when the two are used together.

Where It Fits in the LP12 Range

The Arko is the correct step up from the Krane for LP12 owners who want gimballed bearing performance without moving to the Ekos SE price point. It works with all current LP12 configurations and is compatible with the Kore and Keel SE sub-chassis. For a complete mid-level LP12 build, the Arko combined with Kore, Karousel, and Kendo represents an extremely well-matched system.

Technical Specifications

Note: Linn does not publish effective length or effective mass figures for the Arko. Verify current specifications with Linn or confirm at point of installation.

Who Is It For?

The Arko is the right choice for LP12 owners on a Majik or mid-build who want a proper upgrade without committing to the full Ekos SE investment. It rewards pairing with the Kendo cartridge and fits naturally into a Selekt LP12 level build. If your existing arm is a Krane and you want more — cleaner detail, better instrument placement, improved low-level resolution — the Arko is the direct next step.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968, and the Linn range has been part of what we do for years. We are still family-run — Ted Martin's daughter Elizabeth runs the business today — and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind.

The Arko requires professional fitting: the arm collar alignment, cartridge mounting, and suspension balance all need to be set correctly for the upgrade to perform as intended. Martins can carry out the full installation, and we will set everything up on our LP12 service bench before the deck goes back to you.

Reach them at dave@martinshifi.co.uk, chris@martinshifi.co.uk, info@martinshifi.co.uk, call on 01603 627010, or WhatsApp Dave or Chris directly on 07554 687137. You can read more about who we are and how we work on our Why Martin's page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY, open six days a week.

Contact: info@martinshifi.co.uk | 01603 627010 | WhatsApp: 07554 687137 | 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY