The Linn
Asak Moving Coil Cartridge
Extending
the philosophy of the turntable and arm to the design of the cartridge, it is
obvious that the stylus, cantilever, and coils ahould be allowed to move freely
in response to the information in the groove of the record. The rest of the
cartridge should remain in a fixed position centered over the groove. This
seemingly simple task is complicated by the fact that very high levels of
energy are generated at the stylus tip. That energy travels up the cantilever
and into the cartridge. The only way to prevent that energy from moving the
cartridge body and the magnet assembly is to make the mass of the body and
magnet very, very large. The most practical way to accomplish this is to use
the mass of the arm and even the mass of the turntable. This is done by
coupling the cartridge body very firmly to the arm.
The most
significant differences between the Linn Asak and other moving-coil cartridges
concern Linn's efforts in designing a
body that is rigid enough and strong enough to accomplish the task of coupling
the cartridge to the arm. In order to provide
the strength necessary, the body is considerably wider than most. The
unique recessed cartridge mounting holes allow the mounting screws slipping
away from the body and / or the screwdriver accidentally slipping off the
screws and damaging the stylus. In addition, to prevent any movement of the
magnet assembly, great care has been taken to couple it very firmly to the
body.
Arm
Selection
If an arm
other than the LV-II is to be used with the Asak, care should be taken to
insure that it has a very rigid bearing assembly (knife edge or unipivots are
generally not suitable), and that the headshell is wide enough to accept the 20
mm wide body of the cartridge.
Specifications
Frequency
Response: 10 Hz - 50 kHz ±3 dB
Output
Voltage: 0,2 mV
Balance: ±0,5 dB
Separation: 27 dB
Impedance; 3,5 Ω
Compliance: 12 x 10¯⁶ dyne/cm
Tracking
Angle: 20
Tracking
Force: 1,8 to 2,2 grams
Stylus
Type: o,2 x 0,8 mil elliptical diamond
Weight: 6 grams