Linn Ekos SE Tonearm

The Ekos SE is Linn's reference tonearm for the LP12. It sits at the top of the range — above the Arko and the older Ekos — and it is the arm specified on the Klimax LP12. If you are building or upgrading to the highest level of LP12 performance, the Ekos SE is the arm to be on. It is designed specifically for use with either the Ekstatik or Kandid cartridges, and is paired by Linn with the Keel SE sub-chassis at reference level.

Construction and Materials

The arm tube is machined titanium — aerospace grade, chosen for its combination of rigidity and natural resonance damping. Titanium allows Linn to produce a tube that is light enough to maintain low effective mass while being stiff enough to transmit energy cleanly away from the cartridge. The bearing housing is stainless steel, the bearing assembly itself runs at extremely low friction, and the whole structure is assembled by hand at Linn's factory in Glasgow.

The Ekos SE uses temperature-compensated springs in the anti-skate mechanism, which means tracking force remains consistent regardless of ambient temperature — a practical detail that matters in real listening conditions, not just in a laboratory. The headshell is a long design, providing compatibility with virtually all cartridge body sizes.

Each arm is supplied with Linn's T-Kable — a fully screened tonearm cable designed to minimise capacitive loading and preserve the low-level signal from your moving coil cartridge.

What the Ekos SE Does

The improvement over a mid-level arm is not subtle. Titanium arm tubes are more inert than aluminium at this level of construction precision, which means less energy is stored in the arm structure and less is returned to the cartridge. The result is better separation between instruments, quieter backgrounds, more convincing low-level detail, and — critically — better timing. The LP12's strength is PRAT, and the Ekos SE allows that character to come through without smear or overhang.

Paired with the Ekstatik on a full Klimax or reference-level Selekt LP12, the Ekos SE is genuinely end-game for most listeners.

Technical Specifications

Note: Linn does not publish effective length or effective mass figures for the Ekos SE. Confirm current specifications with Linn or at point of installation.

Who Is It For?

The Ekos SE is for LP12 owners who want reference-level performance and are prepared to match it with the right cartridge and sub-chassis. It makes most sense as part of a Keel SE build — the arm and sub-chassis are designed as a system, and the performance gain of each component is amplified by having both in place. For existing Ekos owners, the SE upgrade is a substantial step that does not require any sub-chassis changes.

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.

Fitting the Ekos SE requires full LP12 disassembly, precise arm alignment, and suspension rebalancing — professional installation is essential, and Martins can carry out the complete fitting, cartridge alignment, and setup on our dedicated LP12 service bench.

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