Linn Akito (1982–)

The Linn Akito was introduced in 1982 as the affordable alternative to the flagship Ittok. Linn founder Ivor Tiefenbrun designed it, working from an affordable design by Australian engineer Bill Firman. The two arms have nearly identical geometry - mounting distance, tracking angle and offset angle all match - but the Akito uses simpler, cheaper construction to hit its price. The Ittok used a dynamic-balance arrangement. The Akito is a static-balance design, and it takes a standard detachable universal headshell instead of the Ittok's integrated mounting hardware.

The arm's geometry is reasonably well documented. Effective length is 229 mm, overhang is 18.0 mm, mounting distance is 211.1 mm and offset angle is 24 degrees. Cartridge weight range is stated as 4 to 11 g across multiple sources. Bias compensation is magnetic. Vertical tracking angle is adjustable within a range stated as +4° / −4°. Sources disagree on whether the arm is a "dynamic balance type" or a "static balance type." The weight of evidence, including Linn's own sales material as reproduced by collectors, points to static balance.

Audio magazine's annual tonearm roundups listed the Akito through the 1990s (October 1991, p.195; October 1993, p.178; October 1995, p.170), confirming it remained a current catalog item well over a decade after launch. The October 1993 issue (p.178) included the Akito among the tonearms covered in that year's roundup, alongside a range of competing models from other manufacturers (Audio, October 1993, p.178). No end-of-production date is documented, and no original retail price survives in the archive.

Known specifications

• Type: Pivoted tonearm, static balance design
• Effective length: 229 mm
• Overhang: 18.0 mm
• Mounting distance: 211.1 mm
• Offset angle: 24°
• Cartridge weight range: 4–11 g
• Bias compensation: magnetic
• Headshell: detachable, universal (straight type)
• VTA adjustment: +4° / −4°

eBay Listings

Linn K9 Cartridge body for Sondek LP12 Akito Ittok Ekos

$329

DDP SONY Rare LINN SONDEK LP12 AKITO Majik Power Supply 50Hz

$4,343

As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.

Related Models

• Linn Basik (1980-1990)
• Linn Ekos SE
• Linn Ittok (1980-1990)
• Dynavector DV-505 (1970s-early 1980s)
• SME 3009-III
• SME 3009-S
• Shure SME-3012
• Rega RB300 (1983-1990)
• Roksan Artemiz (1987-1990)