Introducing the Linn Sondek LP12-50: Designed by Jony Ive, limited edition of 250 units, priced at $60,000.

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Since departing from Apple to co-found LoveFrom, Jony Ive has unveiled several unique creations. Most recently, the industrial designer, aged 56, has produced the Sondek LP12-50 plastic turntable, commemorating 50 years of Linn's LP12 history. This vinyl turntable will hit the market from August this year to March next year, limited to 250 units, priced around $60,000.Originally introduced in 1973, the LP12 itself had a relatively minimalist design compared to hi-fi turntables of its time. However, Jony Ive, known for his sleek and minimalist designs seen in products like the MacBook and iPhone, has elevated that simplicity to a whole new level. Gone are the exposed wood grains, replaced with a modern and sophisticated aesthetic.Still made of wood, the chassis of the LP12-50 is CNC-cut from durable plywood, with multiple layers of wood pressed together under high pressure.

In a recent interview with Fortune, Jony Ive stated: 'Becoming an icon that many know and respect, with familiar details, does not necessarily mean that the design is optimal. Especially when you have products that have created iconic value, fostering resonance in contemporary culture, it is easy to assume that there is no room left to improve the design details of those products. That really creates a design challenge, where we have to consider the product's lines while simultaneously respecting its historical value.'

Returning to the Linn Sondek LP12-50. The serendipity of the vinyl turntable's half-century anniversary began with a LinkedIn message received by Gilad Tiefenbrun, Linn's director. The message, sent by Jony Ive, pertained to the design of the LP12 turntable created by Gilad's father, Ivor Tiefenbrun. Gilad promptly deleted the message, mistaking it for spam, only to rethink and rummage through the trash folder in the LinkedIn message section to retrieve it.Regarding Ive himself, the Linn turntable has been an inspiration since his school days in the 1980s: 'Of course, back then I couldn't afford one like that. But I loved everything about Linn's philosophy, both focused and clear in purpose. That passion was infused into everything they produced, from tools to manufacturing processes.'

The Linn Sondek LP12 is a legendary product, universally agreed upon. However, the debate lies in why it became a legend, with every audiophile having their own opinions and perspectives. Some say this turntable creates a perfect 'rhythm, tempo.' Tiefenbrun believes: 'You have a recording, with all the engineer's calculations, it's perfect. But the HiFi system will distort the recording, making it sound worse because machines always bring technological aspects into how you want to enjoy music. But we're always striving to eliminate distortions in the source signal. Over the years, we've made thousands of different improvements.'The unique modular design of the LP12 allows any owner to upgrade their turntable as soon as new components are introduced. At the same time, sound engineers also use the LP12 as a platform to see how far they can push its capabilities. Linn itself welcomes this community with open arms.In terms of design, under Ive's guidance, the turntable power switch has been transformed into a flat aluminum button, seamlessly flush with the wooden base surface. The dust cover hinge is also CNC-machined from aluminum.

According to TechCrunch and Financial Times

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