Linn Krane Tonearm

Linn Krane Tonearm

The Linn Krane Tonearm is the tonearm fitted as standard to the Linn LP12 Majik. It is Linn’s current entry-level arm — though that description needs context, because the Krane is genuinely well-made and properly specified. The bearing materials, the adjustment range, and the geometry are all considered rather than compromised.

The Krane replaced Linn’s older Akito arm at the entry level, and it is a better design. If you own a Majik LP12, the Krane is what sits between your cartridge and the deck.

Design and Construction

The Krane is a static-balanced tonearm, hand-assembled from precision aluminium and stainless steel components. The vertical bearing uses polished tungsten and sapphire — materials chosen specifically for their hardness, smoothness, and resistance to wear. The horizontal bearing assembly uses dual ceramic bearings for the same reasons: longevity and minimal friction over the long term.

This is not the engineering compromise you might expect at the entry level. Bearing quality is fundamental to tonearm performance — any play, friction, or contamination in the bearing translates directly to tracking errors and reduced cartridge performance.

The Krane uses materials that hold up over years of use.

Anti-skating is handled by a magnetic mechanism rather than a hanging weight or spring — a cleaner approach that avoids the resonances associated with mechanical anti-skate systems.

Adjustment and Setup

The Krane offers a useful range of adjustments for correct cartridge setup. VTA (vertical tracking angle) is set using a laser-etched scale, allowing precise and repeatable adjustment. The headshell is adjustable to ensure the correct effective length for the mounted cartridge. Azimuth — the rotational alignment of the cartridge body relative to the record surface — can also be adjusted, with the offset angle fixed.

The headshell uses a 3-point mounting system compatible with Linn’s alignment geometry. The tonearm cable connection is a 5-pin DIN, for use with Linn tonearm cables.

These adjustments mean the Krane can be set up properly — not approximated. Getting a tonearm set up correctly is as important as the tonearm itself; a well-adjusted Krane will perform significantly better than a poorly adjusted arm costing considerably more.

Geometry and Cartridge Compatibility

The Krane is designed around Linn’s effective length and offset angle, which determines the overhang and tracking angle for which the arm is optimised.

This geometry is standard to all Linn tonearms. All Linn cartridges are designed and specified for this geometry. Third-party cartridges mounted to a standard half-inch headshell are also compatible with most quality designs.

The Krane suits the Adikt MM cartridge at the standard Majik LP12 specification, and the Koil MC in the Majik LP12 MC version. It is also compatible with cartridges from other manufacturers at equivalent performance levels.

Linn Krane Tonearm Features

Static-balanced tonearm design

Dual ceramic bearing assembly for longevity and low friction & rotational mass

Anti-skating control via an easily accessible magnetic mechanism on the side of the tonearm

3-point headshell for correct Linn alignment geometry and compatibility with all Linn cartridges and most third-party designs

5-Pin DIN cable connection for use with Linn tonearm cable

The Linn Krane tonearm is engineered for professional installation only and cannot be purchased online.

To achieve its full performance potential, this precision tonearm must be expertly installed and calibrated by our trained and certified Linn engineers.

Professional calibration ensures perfect alignment, optimal tracking, and seamless integration with your turntable and cartridge.

Please get in touch with us to discuss further.

About Linn

Linn was founded in 1973 by Ivor Tiefenbrun. At that time, Ivor was dissatisfied with the performance of the Hi-Fi system he had just purchased after getting married.

He used the resources at his father’s engineering company to fix what he thought was wrong with the design of the system and it was then that the Sondek LP12 turntable was born.

This turntable is regarded as the most popular high-end turntable of all time. Linn has received worldwide acclaim for its quality products including the Royal Warrant award in 2002 and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in 2012.