This is what an ‘Apple style’ turntable designed by Jony Ive looks like
Ive’s first commercial product since leaving Apple is an audiophile’s dream from Scottish audio firm Linn.
Courtesy of Linn
Sir Jony Ive, the former design chief of Apple and the creative force behind a range of iconic products, has worked on his first major tech project since leaving the company. Ive’s LoveFrom firm has partnered with Scottish audio pioneers Linn to create an extraordinary turntable, priced at £50,000 (approximately $63,000), to celebrate Linn’s 50th anniversary. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both parties and the limited edition turntable will captivate audiophiles and design enthusiasts alike.
In a promotional video reminiscent of Apple’s style, Linn CEO Gilad Tiefenbrun expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “I couldn’t have picked a better way of marking our 50th anniversary than with a landmark collaboration on the Sondek LP12.” Tiefenbrun spoke of the significance of the partnership, emphasizing the immense respect he had for Ive and LoveFrom, “If I was gonna pick one person, or one organization on this planet that I would wanna collaborate with, it would be this one.”
Tiefenbrun shared the story of how the collaboration came to be, recounting an initial LinkedIn request from Jony Ive himself. He described Ive’s admiration for Linn’s products and his genuine interest in the company. This mutual appreciation set the stage for an exciting creative endeavor.
The Sondek LP12 turntable, the world’s longest-selling audio device, served as the foundation for the collaboration. While retaining the beloved elements that have made the LP12 a fan favorite for half a century, the collaboration sought to refine and enhance certain aspects of the turntable, making it even more remarkable for this special occasion. Tiefenbrun says, “The thing that made this collaboration seem viable from the start is the enormous respect that Johnny was showing to the LP12.” The result is an extraordinary fusion of heritage and innovation.
Remarkably, Jony Ive and his team designed the turntable free of charge. Ive shared his admiration for Linn’s products and expressed the joy he experienced working on the project. He stated, “It’s been life-affirming and so joyful to work on something that I had admired for so long,” and described LoveFrom’s commitment to pro bono projects driven by passion and love.
Linn’s Sondek LP12 50, a limited edition masterpiece, is now available for reservation. With only 250 units to be produced, this turntable represents a unique opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts. Shipping will commence in August 2023, ensuring that lucky buyers will soon experience the unparalleled craftsmanship of this exclusive creation.
While the turntable collaboration and the design of the Comic Relief Red Nose represent LoveFrom’s initial ventures, the company has also established a multi-year partnership with Ferrari. The specific details of this collaboration are yet to be disclosed, leaving enthusiasts and fans eager to see what Jony Ive and his team have in store for the future.
