The Linn
Ittok LV-II arm has been designed to compliment the Linn LP12 turntable. The
design philosophies first implimented in the turntable; i.e., providing a means
of maintaining a fixed relationship between the cartridge body and the surface
of the record, have been extended to the design of the LV-II. Through the use
of sensible construction techniques and very precise bearings, the Linn arm
provides a very rigid connecting link between the cartridge body and the
turntable.
The Linn
Itokk LV-II was designed with several performance features in mind. First, stability. It is a coherent mechanical
system designed to maintain a precise relationship between the cartridge and
turntable. This is due in part to a bearing system that minimises intermittent
or continuous loss of dynamic accuracy.
Second, simplicity. Dials for both tracking weight and bias force enable
easy and highly accurate adjustment, making the Ittok simple to install and
convenient to use.
The Ittok is
particularly suitable for use with the Linn Asak DC-2100K moving-coil cartridge
and enables the full performance potential of this cartridge to be realised.
The Ittok is
designed not to degrade with use or require continuous adjustment. In addition
it is engineered to cope with the most difficult cartridges now available and
to anticipate future cartridge development.
Although
designed with the Linn Sondek LP12 turntable in mind, the Ittok is suitable for
use with most high quality turntables.
Headshell
The
headshell is constructed of light weight magnesium alloy. In order to obtain
the most rigid connection possible between the headshell and the arm tube, the
headshell is permanently fixed to the arm tube. As you can appreciate, any
method of attaching the headshell that would still allow it to be rotated would
necessitate a weakening of this connection.
We do realize that this doeas limit the amount of "fine
tuning" of the vertical tracking angle that you can accomplish; i.e., as
you raise or lower the rear of the arm, the headshell, as viewed from the
front, will no longer be parallel to the record. It is possible tp make very
small changes in VTA and, in most cases, the adjustment range should be satisfactory.
The relatively small gains that can be obtained by making larger adjustments to
the vertical tracking angle are insignificant when compared to the degradation
of the signal that would occur if the tortional rigidity of the arm was
compromised. It should also be noted that the optimum VTA varies from record to
record, so any VTA setting will have to be , at best , a compromise.
Arm Tube
The arm tube
is constructed of large diameter, thinwall, magnesium tubing. It should be
noted that while a small diameter tube is often used to give the appearance of
low mass, a large diameter tube with thin walls aill actually require less mass
for the same degree of rigidity.
Bearings
The bearings
, bearing housings, arm pillar, and all related parts are constructed of high
grade stainless steel. Being of identical materials, all have the same
coefficient of expansion. Thus, the arm is temperature stable; i.e., changes in
room temperature effect all parts equally. The finely adjusted bearings will
maintain proper tolerances over a very wide range of operating temperatures.
Counterweight
The
counterweight consists of two pieces, the main weight and a smaller ring that
is attached with two hex key set screws. The ring should be used if a heavy
cartridge is to be mounted in the arm. Lighter cartridges require only the main
part of the weight. The mass of the weight was specifically chosen to allow the
counterweight (with ring) to be positioned as close to the pivot point as
possible when the arm is fitted with the Linn Asak Moving-Coil Cartridge.
The
counterweight is used only to balance the arm, never to apply tracking force.
Because of this, the arm is always dynamically balanced and any disturbances
that reach the arm will tend to affect both the rear portion of the arm and the
front portion of arm equally thus minimizing their effect.
Tracking
Force and Anti-Skate
To prevent
disturbing the dynamic balance of the arm, tracking force and anti-skating
compensation are applied by springs which are controlled by two calibrated
adjustment knobs. Tracking force may be applied over the range 0 to 3 grams.
Height
Adjustment
The height
locking screw consist of two basic parts. The first is a steel shaft that will,
when fully tightened, rigidly lock the arm in place. This rigid connection can
be accomplished with only one locking screw because of the unique half moon
notch cut out of the arm base. When the locking screw is tightened, you are in
effect rigidly attaching the arm pillar to the base at three points, the
locking screw, and each end of the notch.
The second
part of the height locking screw consists of a spring loaded nylon washer. When
the height locking screw is only slightly tightened, the washer aill hold the
arm in position while still allowing you to adjust the arm height. This greatly
simplifies the height adjustment procedure.
Specifications
Overal
Length: 284 mm
Effective
Length: 229 mm
Overhang: 18 mm
Tone-arm
rear length: 50 mm
Friction: less than 20 mg.
Effective
Mass: 11,5 g
Cartridge
Weight Range:
With Main
Weight only : 2 - 10 g
With Main
Weight plus Sub Weight : 5,5 - 15 g
Stylus
Pressure Range: 0 -3 g in 0,1 g steps