Linn Products

Last updated

Linn Products Limited
Company type Private limited company
Industry Audiovisual equipment manufacturing and distribution
Founded19 February 1973;50 years ago (1973-02-19)
Headquarters Waterfoot, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Key people
 Ivor Tiefenbrun
Gilad Tiefenbrun
Products High fidelity equipment
Audiovisual equipment
Number of employees
160 [1]
Subsidiaries Linn Records
Website linn.co.uk

Linn Products is an engineering company that manufactures hi-fi and audio equipment. Founded by Ivor Tiefenbrun in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1972, the company is best known as the manufacturer of the Linn Sondek LP12 turntable.

Contents

From 2007 Linn was one of the first audio manufacturers to introduce digital music streaming using the home network and Internet. This has become the focus of the company's strategy leading to audio systems to support digital music playback of 24bit/192 kHz studio master quality recordings using a digital stream over a home network.

Linn Records was the first to sell DRM-free 24-bit studio master quality tracks downloaded over the internet.

This network approach was extended in 2013 with the introduction of the Linn Exakt technology to retain the 24-bit lossless signal in the digital domain to the active crossover.

In late 2014 Linn announced the integration of TIDAL's lossless music streaming service into Linn DS digital players enabling access to over 25 million audio tracks at CD-quality over the Internet.

Originally based in the Castlemilk suburb of south Glasgow (opposite Linn Park), it is now based just outside the city, between Waterfoot and Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire.

Company history

Origins

Linn was founded by Ivor Tiefenbrun to produce the Sondek LP12 turntable. The company's logo is the simple geometric representation of the 'single point' bearing which was the unique selling point of the LP12 turntable.

Hamish Robertson designed the Ariston RD11 in 1971 with Castle Precision Engineering Ltd machining many of the parts. Robertson left Ariston, which had been taken over by Dunlop Westayr Ltd and reorganised as Ariston Audio Ltd. In February 1973 Linn Products Ltd. was formed to sell turntables made by Castle Precision Engineering. This was officially announced in an advertisement in Hi-Fi News & Record Review, with the following text: "The turntable previously available under the name Ariston RD11 is now available under the name Linn LP12." [2] There were claims, and even patent litigation at the time, that the first Linn Sondek LP12 was a carbon copy of the RD11, and many parts interchangeable. [3] Ultimately, the patent was awarded successfully to Linn. [4]

The company's philosophy is as controversial as its founder, who is known for his believing in only two ways of doing things – the Linn way and the wrong way. Whilst many in the industry speak of them in strictly reverential terms, notable critic Ken Kessler accuses the company (with a touch of hyperbole) of being doctrinaire, prone to "propaganda, brainwashing, historical revisionism and other ways of interpreting reality". As such, and because Linn supposedly design their products within the context of an all-Linn system, they try to ensure that all the variables are covered in a "proper demonstration". [5]

Sondek LP12

The LP12 working with a Linn Ekos tonearm Spinning LP12.jpg
The LP12 working with a Linn Ekos tonearm

The Sondek LP12 is a suspended sub-chassis turntable with a single-point platter bearing. From its introduction in 1973, there have not been any radical changes to the turntable design, which remains in production. However, the LP12's sound quality has been improved through retrofittable upgrade kits. The successive upgrades consist mostly of refinements in materials used and improved manufacturing tolerances.

In 2011, some thirty years after the birth of the compact disc, sales of the LP12 and accessories still accounted for 10 percent of the company's turnover. [6]

Initially Linn manufactured the LP12 itself, but not any other components such as tonearms and cartridges. This gap was filled with a largely complementary range from, amongst others, Supex cartridges, Grace and Sumiko tonearms, and Naim Audio amplification.

1975 Speaker

In 1975, Linn patented its isobaric loading principle, and launched the Linn Isobarik loudspeaker.

1993 Digital compact disc

Linn's first CD player, the Karik, was released in 1993 – 11 years after the CD format itself.

The Sondek CD12, pioneered by Alan Clark, was launched in 1997. In 2005 it was discontinued when Philips ended production of the laser around which the player was designed.

On 20 November 2009, Linn said it would stop making CD players to focus on digital streaming products instead. [6] [7]

2006 crisis

In May 2006, Linn announced that founder Ivor Tiefenbrun would relinquish the position of Linn's managing director in favour of finance director and company secretary Peter Murphy, an 8-year veteran of the firm. [8] As part of his succession planning, Tiefenbrun had appointed him to the Linn board in November 2004 as "the obvious successor in the short term", along with his elder son Natan. Ivor's other son, Gilad, had already joined the company in 2002 and had, perhaps contentiously, quickly risen to become head of R&D. At around that time, Tiefenbrun executed a share swap with his brother Marcus in exchange for his shares in Castle Precision Engineering, consolidating his stake in Linn to 60%. Marcus was to remain a non-executive director. [9] Ivor Tiefenbrun had given up executive duties after being diagnosed with a serious illness. [10]

The company faced its most significant crisis since its founding when it plunged into the red in 2006, due to escalating costs and weighed down by up to £6.8 million in short term debt. The distribution deal with Loewe television and the partnership to supply Aston Martin with in car entertainment (ICE) systems were terminated. The company's turnover declined by £15.5 million. Lloyds TSB, the company's bank, put Linn on its "special measures" list, and installed a troubleshooter on the board to redress and restructure the business. [10]

In 2007, the bank ordered asset disposals; all properties except the headquarters was earmarked for sale. Linn shed two-thirds of its staff, including then managing director Peter Murphy and some senior managers. At some point (after March 2007) Linn closed the original factory that was next door to Castle Precision Engineering (run by Ivor's brother) on Drakemire Drive. Thus the metalworking and training facility were moved into the Eaglesham facility.

2007 – DS (digital streaming) becomes new company strategy

Linn was one of the first audio manufacturers to understand the likely impact of the internet and the future importance of the network, which became the focus of the company's new strategy under its DS - Digital Streaming – product development plan. The first product to be introduced under the new strategy was the Klimax DS network music player, Linn's first product to support the playback of 24bit/192 kHz studio master quality recordings from a digital stream over a home network. The Linn Records website – www.linnrecords.com - was the first site to sell DRM-free 24-bit Studio Master quality tracks, downloaded over the internet. The pioneering availability of Studio Master 24bit/192 kHz and introduction of the first Linn DS network music player combined to set the company's path for the future.

Ivor's son Gilad was promoted from Head of Engineering to managing director in April 2008 and Ivor was brought back with executive responsibilities. [10] In February 2009, Gilad Tiefenbrun was officially named Managing Director of the company. Ivor remains Executive Chairman. [10] [11]

2010 – DS-I & Label of the year

The Majik DS-I was launched as the first Linn DS player to integrate a pre-amplifier allowing connected sources to be streamed onto a network and received by any other Linn DS player located throughout the home. As a result, Linn retired the dedicated Knekt multi-room system. In October Linn Records was awarded Label of the Year by Gramophone magazine- referencing the company's ongoing commitment to improving the quality of the recording process and distributing music online at studio master quality. [12]

2012 - Kiko System

Linn launched its first compact lifestyle system called Kiko. Available in five colours but only as a complete system comprising a DSM and dedicated active speakers. Critical reaction confirmed that the combination offered the performance of much larger systems. Kiko was awarded Best Music System £1500+ in both 2012 and 2013 by What Hi-Fi? magazine. [13]

2013 - 40th anniversary

Linn celebrated its 40th anniversary with a limited edition Sondek LP12 launched in partnership with specialist whisky distiller Highland Park. The 40th Anniversary LP12 was produced as limited run of 40 individually numbered units featuring Linn's highest Sondek specification and including a plinth sourced from 100-year-old Highland Park whisky barrels. The anniversary Sondeks were also supplied with a dual branded bottle of 40-year-old Highland Park single malt whisky. [14]

2013 - Exakt - the source is in the speaker

Exakt technology has been described by the company as its most important development since the introduction of the original Sondek turntable. Exakt was designed to eliminate many of the sources of loss inherent in the traditional analogue hi-fi chain by keeping the 24-bit lossless signal in the digital domain all the way to the loudspeaker; and converting to analogue at the latest possible stage.

Exakt effectively turns the speaker into an intelligent, network connected, software upgradeable product. Inside each Exakt loudspeaker is a proprietary digital platform - called the Exakt engine by Linn - that allows the company to claim such performance-enhancing capabilities as the complete elimination of phase and magnitude distortion plus the ability to also offer room optimisation.

Exakt was initially launched as a Klimax (top) level system to the highest critical acclaim. [15]

In 2015 the room optimisation capabilities of Exakt were released as a free software upgrade to all non-Exakt products under the name Space Optimisation.

2014 Exakt range extended

The Exakt range was extended to include two new systems: Exakt Akubarik and the first stand mount speaker version, Exakt Akudorik which also received the highest critical acclaim. [16]

2014 TIDAL Integration with Linn DS players

In late 2014 Linn announced the availability of lossless music streaming service (TIDAL) on Linn DS digital players to provide access to a CD-quality library of over 25 million audio tracks using the Internet.

2008 - 2014 - The return to sustained profitability and growth

In November 2014 Linn announced its sixth continuous year of profitability with revenue also continuing to grow in five of the previous six years. [17] The company had continued to allocate a significant percentage of its turnover to R&D throughout the previous eight years with the focus on the DS strategy of studio master quality audio delivered over the network, extended more latterly with the development of Exakt technology. All have combined to have a positive impact on turnover and profitability

Partnerships

During much of the 1970s and 1980s, Linn adopted a tight working relationship with Naim Audio. It all started in about 1974 when Linn was looking for suitable amplifiers to drive their Isobarik loudspeaker and came across Vereker's NAP 200. [18] Their product ranges were complementary, and their names were often mentioned together. Linn focused on the electromechanical parts while Naim worked exclusively on the electronics. During this time, the Linn/Naim system was a preferred combination for many audiophiles. The two companies advocated a 'source-first' philosophy based on the same principle as garbage in, garbage out [6] – that an amplifier that correctly performed its role would only faithfully amplify a signal, but that all things being equal, a superior source component would allow the recorded music to better connect with the listener on an emotive level. It followed that a superior source signal paired with lesser amplification would sound better than an inferior source through high-quality amplification and speakers. [19] [20] This flew in the face of conventional wisdom that had been made prevalent by Edgar Villchur. In line with the philosophy of the comparative demonstration, the companies' dealers eschewed multi-speaker demonstrations with switched comparators to "single-speaker dem rooms". [20] The two companies had almost the same sales and marketing strategy, and shared many of the same retailers/dealers. Since many of the principles the two companies subscribed to were thought to be heretical, or flying in the face of conventional wisdom, Linn/Naim aficionados were nicknamed "flat earthers" [21] sometimes affectionately, sometimes derogatorily. The two companies diverged during the 1980s, at the dawn of digital audio.

In 2002 Linn formed a brand partnership to supply audio systems to Aston Martin cars. Linn supplied amplification and loudspeaker systems for the Vanquish and DB9 models but three years later was replaced by Alpine Electronics, the previous supplier.

Awards and recognition

Products and trademarks

Linn have a number of trademarks for their products, many of which have the characteristic "k" in place of a hard "c". Ivor Tiefenbrun has stated that the name of the “Sondek” turntable, the company’s first product, is a contraction of 'sound deck', emphasising the (at the time) revolutionary concept that the turntable, the “deck”, was primarily responsible for sound quality, with each following component successively less important. The use of the single “k” in their product naming stuck, as it gave them a slightly mystical touch. [23] Several of the names have Scottish origins, e.g. Kairn, Keltik, Ekos, Keilidh (cairn, Celtic, Ecosse, Ceilidh), some have relevance to the function they perform e.g. Knekt (a system to connect many rooms together) or Klout (a powerful amplifier), more recently some names are derived from descriptives of quality (Exakt, Klimax, Akurate, Dynamik, Kandid). Some products have had relatively simple names, such as the Index loudspeaker.

Integrated products

Multistage products

Sources

The LP12 working with a Linn Ekos tonearm and Linn Klyde cartridge Linn Sondek LP12 with Linn Ekos arm and Linn Klyde cartridge - spinning Sondek 2.jpg
The LP12 working with a Linn Ekos tonearm and Linn Klyde cartridge

Sondek LP12

  • Power supplies: Radikal (Klimax enclosure), Radikal (Akurate enclosure), Lingo 4/3/2/1, Majik, Valhalla, Basik
  • Arm: Ekos SE/1, Ekos SE, Ekos 2/1, Ittok LVII, Ittok LVIII, Akito, Basik Plus, Basik
  • Cartridges:
  • MC: Kandid, Akiva, Arkiv IV, Arkiv A/B, Troïka, Krystal, Klyde, Karma, Asaka, Asak, Metek, Trak
  • MM: Adikt/1 Adikt, Basik, K18 mk1/2, K9, K5
  • Phonostages: Urika II, Urika, Uphorik, Linto

Control/Preamps

Power Amplifiers

Exakt Digital Crossovers

Speakers

The Linn Isobarik DMS (with in-built crossover) in a domestic setting Linn Isobarik DMS in domestic setting crop.jpg
The Linn Isobarik DMS (with in-built crossover) in a domestic setting

Cables

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High fidelity</span> High-quality reproduction of sound

High fidelity is the high-quality reproduction of sound. It is popular with audiophiles and home audio enthusiasts. Ideally, high-fidelity equipment has inaudible noise and distortion, and a flat frequency response within the human hearing range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naim Audio</span> British hi-fi manufacturer

Naim Audio is a British hi-fi manufacturer based in Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

Roksan is a British manufacturer of high fidelity audio products for domestic use, based in Rayleigh, Essex. It is best known for its influential and innovative design for hi-fi equipment, and in particular its Xerxes platform for playing LP records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julian Vereker</span>

Julian Charles Prendergast Vereker MBE was an English self-taught designer of audio equipment, and the founder of Naim Audio Ltd. of Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was an influential figure in the manufacture and retail of British high-fidelity audio equipment in the 1970s and 1980s.

Musical Fidelity is a British producer of high-end audio equipment focusing on streaming music players, and its core product range of amplifiers of various types. Other products have included headphones, Digital-Analog Converters (DACs), CD players, Bluetooth Receivers, ‘all-in-one systems’. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1982, they are known for their unusual industrial design, Nuvistor tube use and Class-AB amplifiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linn Sondek LP12</span> Prominent audiophile turntable from Scotland

The Linn Sondek LP12 is a transcription turntable produced by Glasgow-based Linn Products, manufacturers of hi-fi, home theatre, and multi-room audio systems. Its name is derived from the 12" vinyl LP.

Ivor Sigmund Tiefenbrun MBE is the founder and chairman of Linn Products Ltd, Glasgow-based manufacturers of high-fidelity audio equipment and home theatre equipment. He was influential in the manufacture and retail of British audio in the 1970s and 1980s, and was appointed MBE by Elizabeth II in 1992.

Luxman is a brand name of Japanese Luxman Corporation (ラックスマン株式会社) that manufactures luxury audio components. Luxman produces a variety of high-end audio products, including turntables, amplifiers, receivers, tape decks, CD players and speakers.

Technics is a Japanese brand name of Panasonic for audio equipment. Since 1965, Panasonic has produced a variety of hi-fi and audio products under the brand name, such as turntables, amplifiers, radio receivers, tape recorders, CD players, speakers, and digital pianos. Technics products were available for sale in various countries. The brand was originally conceived as a line of high-end audio equipment to compete against brands such as Nakamichi.

<i>What Hi-Fi?</i> British magazine

What Hi-Fi? is a website and magazine published by Future. It is a buying guide for consumer electronics, featuring news, reviews and features on hi-fi, home cinema, television and home audio. The website, whathifi.com, is updated daily, while the magazine is published thirteen times per year.

KEF is a British company specialising in the design and production of a range of high-end audio products, including HiFi speakers, subwoofers, architecture speakers, wireless speakers, and headphones. It was founded in Maidstone, Kent in 1961 by a BBC engineer named Raymond Cooke (1925–1995).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pro-Ject</span>

Pro-Ject Audio Systems is a manufacturer of audiophile equipment, founded in 1991 by Heinz Lichtenegger and located in Mistelbach, Austria. Pro-Ject Audio Systems designs the products in Austria and produces them in Europe. It produces a range of audio equipment including a family of turntables, which are often quoted as reference entry-level models. Pro-Ject Audio Systems also manufactures a range of micro hi-fi components such as Amps, CD Transports, Phono Stages, Streaming Devices, Loudspeakers and more. Today, Pro-Ject Audio Systems ship into more than 80 countries world-wide. Since 2015 Pro-Ject has released limited edition turntables in cooperation with the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Hans Theessink, Parov Stelar, and the Vienna Philharmonic.

Pink Triangle Products Ltd was a British audio manufacturer specialising in high end turntables.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roksan Xerxes</span> 1985 record player

The Roksan Xerxes transcription turntable is a record player named after the Persian king Xerxes I and produced by London-based Roksan Audio. Designed by Roksan co-founder, Touraj Moghaddam, the Xerxes is a belt-driven turntable with a solid plinth. Launched in 1985, the sound quality of the product positioned it as a strong competitor against the established industry leader, the Linn Sondek LP12. Many reviewers use the Xerxes as a reference turntable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rega Planar 3</span> Audiophile turntable by Rega Research

The Rega Planar 3, together with its successors, the P3 and RP3, is a well-known budget audiophile turntable by British hi-fi manufacturer, Rega Research available since 1977. It was a belt-drive deck that broke from convention, by employing a solid plinth in lieu of the compliantly suspended chassis or sub-chassis used in many quality turntables since the early 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naim NAIT</span> Integrated audio amplifier

The Naim NAIT is an integrated amplifier from the British hi-fi manufacturer, Naim Audio. The original NAIT is one of the most recognisable pieces of hi-fi equipment ever made. Hi-fi critic Lucio Cadeddu recognised its legendary status, referring to it as "one of the most controversial and famous integrated amps in the history of HiFi".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naim Audio amplification</span>

Naim Audio is a specialist British manufacturer of high-end audio amplifiers well known for their self described qualities of "pace, rhythm and timing".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NAD 3020</span> Integrated amplifier by NAD electronics

The NAD 3020 is a stereo integrated amplifier by NAD Electronics, considered to be one of the most important components in the history of high fidelity audio. Launched in 1978, this highly affordable product delivered a good quality sound, which acquired a reputation as an audiophile amplifier of exceptional value. By 1998, the NAD 3020 had become the most well known and best-selling audio amplifier in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linn Isobarik</span> Loudspeaker designed and manufactured by Linn Products

The Linn Isobarik, nicknamed "Bariks" or "Briks", is a loudspeaker designed and manufactured by Linn Products. The Isobarik is known for both its reproduction of low bass frequencies and being very demanding on amplifiers.

References

  1. ↑ Reid, Scott (9 April 2012). "Interview: Gilad Tiefenbrun; Managing Director, Linn Products". The Scotsman . Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  2. ↑ Hi-Fi News & Record Review. Vol. 6. February 1973.
  3. ↑ Price, David (June 1998). "Olde Worlde - Ariston RD11 Turntable". Hi-Fi World. Archived from the original on 21 April 2007.
  4. ↑ "Gramophone record playing apparatus". directorypatent.com. 21 May 1975. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  5. ↑ Kessler, Ken (July 1994). "Linn Tukan" (PDF). Hi-Fi News & Record Review: 44–46. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Ford, Jez (28 July 2011). "Linn joins Advance Audio". Sound+Image. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  7. ↑ Fraser, Douglas (19 November 2009). "Hi-fi firm stops making CD players". BBC News . Retrieved 20 November 2009.
  8. ↑ "Tiefenbrun hands over reins at Linn hi-fi group". The Scotsman . 12 May 2006. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  9. ↑ "Retirement sounds good to hi-fi firm chief". The Scotsman. 28 November 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Vass, Steven (18 July 2010). "'How close were we to going bust? One hates to speculate. Really close...'". Sunday Herald . Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  11. ↑ "Gilad Tiefenbrun appointed Managing Director of Linn". Linn Products. 6 February 2009.
  12. ↑ "Awards 2010: Label of the Year". Gramophone . 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  13. ↑ "2013 Awards". What Hi-Fi? . October 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  14. ↑ Mclaughlin, Martyn (6 October 2013). "£25,000 turntables made using Highland Park casks". The Scotsman. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  15. ↑ Colloms, Martin (April 2014). "Review: Linn Klimax Exakt 350". HiFi Critic (April–May–Jun 2014). Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "Linn Akurate Exakt/Akudorik review". What Hi-Fi? (March 2015). 2 March 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  17. ↑ Wright, Scott (11 November 2014). "Profits up as Linn continues its quest for sonic perfection". The Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  18. ↑ Harris, Steve (November 2011). "Audio Milestones: Linn Isobarik" (PDF). Hi-Fi News: 132–136.
  19. ↑ Steve (29 March 2012). "History of Linn". Hidden Systems Limited. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  20. 1 2 "Company History". Linn Products Limited. 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  21. ↑ Wheeler, Mark (2008). "PRaT: What is it? Do you want it? Have you got it? Or, are you one?". tnt-audio.com. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  22. ↑ "LINN Launches The Kiko Music System At CEDIA 2012". AV Guide. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013.
  23. ↑ Kinch, Bruce (2002). "Interview with Ivor Tiefenbrun". Positive Feedback. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  24. ↑ "Linn — Hi-fi Separates — Exaktbox". Archived from the original on 14 September 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.