Linn Urika internal MC phono stage for LP12

What we Say:

The Linn Urika is a high performance MC phono stage that fits inside the LP12. It is the top model in the Linn range. It comes in two versions, both of these fit are fitted onto a base board. The Urika Mk1 is an all analogue phono stage which is highly musical, extremely quiet and offers very low background noise. The Urika 2 is the latest version which is part analogue and part digital.

Some people may see this as an unusual move but when considered as part of an overall Linn system it makes perfect sense. The RIAA equalisation stage which is part of every phono stage is not an ideal solution. This is because it puts a filter in the signal path. Linn first boost the MC signal to a higher voltage level and then feed it into an ADC. This means that the RIAA equalisation no longer needs doing by an analogue filter but can now be implemented in the digital domain. This results in lower distortion and more accurate reproduction of the signal. It also allows cartridge and phono stage to be more accurately matched. The signal stays in the digital domain all the way to the loudspeakers using the Linn Exact Link system. The Katalyst DAC s in the speakers convert the signal back to analogue for before amplification.