Linn Products Ltd.
257 Drakemiredrive, Castlemilk, Glasgow G4S 9SZ (1987)
Glasgow Road, Waterfoot, Eaglesham, Glasgow, G76 0EQ (2020)

Linn Products, founded in 1972 by Ivor Tiefenbrun in Glasgow, revolutionized hi-fi with the Sondek LP12 turntable. The company expanded its range in the 1970s and 1980s, introducing speakers, amplifiers, and other components.

In the 1990s, Linn entered digital audio, later pioneering high-quality music streaming from 2007. The company ceased CD player production in 2009 to focus on streaming technology. Linn continues to innovate, introducing technologies like Exakt in 2013. The Sondek LP12, still in production after five decades, embodies Linn's commitment to continuous improvement.

Under Ivor's son Gilad's leadership since 2009, Linn maintains its focus on engineering excellence and a "source-first" philosophy. From its analog origins to embracing digital, Linn's journey reflects its adaptability and enduring commitment to high-quality audio reproduction, securing its position in the high-end audio industry.

1970s: The Birth of Linn and the LP12

1972: Ivor Tiefenbrun designs the Sondek LP12 turntable, challenging the conventional wisdom that speakers were the most important component in a hi-fi system.

1973: Linn Products Ltd. is incorporated on 19 February 1973  in Castlemilk, Glasgow, to produce the Sondek LP12 turntable.

1974: Linn introduces its first loudspeakers, the Isobarik, affectionately known as "Briks".

1978: The LP12's top plate is modified, adding two holes for 6 x 0.5 self-tappers.

1980s: Expansion and Innovation

Early 1980s: Linn purchases a cutting lathe to improve vinyl record quality and establishes Linn Records.

1985: Linn launches the more affordable Axis turntable.

1986: The Ittok tonearm is modified to support a new metal-bodied cartridge with a triple-point mounting, dubbed the Troika.

1988: Linn introduces its first in-house built tonearm, the Eko.

1989: The Basik turntable is launched, offering a more budget-friendly option.

1990s: Diversification and Recognition

1990: Linn introduces the Lingo, an external power supply for the LP12, providing more precise motor-speed control.

1991: The company enters the tuner market with the Kremlin FM tuner.

1992: Ivor Tiefenbrun is awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for Services to the Electronics Industry.

2000s: Digital Era and Automotive Ventures

2001: Linn introduces the Kivor, the world's first full-bandwidth music server.

2001-2007: Linn partners with Aston Martin, producing in-car audio systems for the V12 Vanquish and DB9 models.

2007: Linn becomes one of the first audio manufacturers to introduce digital music streaming using home networks and the Internet.

2010s and Beyond: Continued Innovation

2013: Linn introduces the Exakt technology, retaining 24-bit lossless signal in the digital domain to the active crossover.

Present day:

The Sondek LP12 remains in production, having undergone continuous improvements and upgrades over its nearly five-decade history.

Throughout its history, Linn has maintained its commitment to high-quality audio reproduction, expanding from turntables to a full range of audio equipment including amplifiers, speakers, and digital streaming devices. The company's philosophy of "source-first" in audio systems, championed by Ivor Tiefenbrun, has had a lasting impact on the hi-fi industry. [1]

[1] Linn website accessed December 2024