Linn
Linn Ekstatik Moving Coil Cartridge
Linn Ekstatik Moving Coil Cartridge
Available to Order
Linn Ekstatik Moving Coil Cartridge
The Ekstatik is Linn's flagship moving coil cartridge — an all-new design that sits at the top of the range and sets the standard against which everything below it is measured. It is built around a sapphire cantilever and micro-ridge stylus, a combination chosen because sapphire is far stiffer than boron or aluminium, meaning less of what the stylus reads in the groove is lost before it reaches the generator.
Sapphire Cantilever and Micro-Ridge Stylus
The sapphire cantilever is the defining engineering choice in the Ekstatik. Where boron — the material used in cartridges below this level — is already considered a high-performance option, sapphire is stiffer still. That additional stiffness means the cantilever contributes less of its own movement to the signal path: what the stylus reads is what the generator receives. The micro-ridge stylus profile completes the picture — a stylus geometry that traces the groove wall with exceptional precision.
Machined Honeycomb 7075 Aluminium Body
The Ekstatik's body is machined from 7075-grade aluminium with a bespoke honeycomb pattern cut into it — skeletonising the cartridge so that overall mass is reduced to close to 7g. Aluminium-bronze inserts are used at the mounting points, a material chosen for its specific sonic properties. The chassis itself carries a Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coating.
Triple-Point Mounting System
The Ekstatik uses a triple-point mounting system for accurate geometry.
Technical Specifications
| Stylus Type | Micro-ridge |
| Cantilever | Sapphire |
| Armature | Square |
| Pin Connection Type | Flying wire with termination clips – 1.2mm, gold |
| Mounting Points | 3 |
| Coil Wire | Copper 4N |
| Output Voltage | 0.45 mV @ 3.54 cm/s |
| Channel Balance at 1 kHz | <1 dB |
| Channel Separation at 1 kHz | Better than 30 dB |
| Load Resistance | 100 Ω |
| Load Capacitance | 1 nF |
| Tracking Force | 2.0 g |
| Cartridge Mass | 7 g |
Who Is It For?
The Ekstatik is for LP12 owners building at the very top of the system — those for whom the cartridge is the final piece of a reference-level analogue front end. It pairs naturally alongside the Linn Krane tonearm and suits a full Linn Klimax LP12 build. If you are considering the Ekstatik, we would strongly recommend a demonstration at our Norwich showroom — the difference a reference cartridge makes at this level is best heard directly.
Buying from Martins Hi-Fi
Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind.
The Ekstatik can be demonstrated on a fully configured LP12 at our Norwich showroom. When you get in touch, you'll be speaking with Dave and Chris — experienced specialists who can advise on this product and your whole system.
Contact us at info@martinshifi.co.uk, call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.
