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Former Apple chief design officer Johny Ive has given audio brand Linn's turntables a respectful and gentle redesign for its  50th anniversary.

The project marks a return to music player design for Ive, who was responsible for several generations of iPods during his time at Apple, and the designer worked with his new studio, LoveFrom, on the LP12-50 turntable. Ive describes the studio's contribution to the design as a series of respectful and gentle refinements that honor the turntable's evolution, which has remained aesthetically unchanged since its launch in 1972, but has undergone a number of technical upgrades. The most noticeable intervention is the design of the primary switch, which is now circular and flat, and the more rounded shape of the board under the arm, both of which create a more tactile appearance. The dust cover, hinges, and badge have also been subtly tweaked, and Linn's engineers have also developed a plinth with an entirely new manufacturing approach.

"I've always had a deep love of music and have had the wonderful opportunity and privilege to design a number of different music players and headphones ­– most notably the multiple generations of iPods while I led design at Apple," said Ive.

The Sondek LP12 has always been entirely retrofittable, and Linn has released 50 modular hardware upgrades for the machine, an idea that Ive appreciated, saying that he could actually enjoy a better product than the one he bought years ago. The Sondek LP12 is Linn's flagship product and was once voted the most important hi-fi component ever sold by Hi-Fi Choice magazine reviewers. The Linn x LoveFrom LP12-50 is available in a limited edition of 250 and comes in a choice of wood or white finish.

Link to original article: https://www.dezeen.com/2023/07/10/jony-ive-gives-redesign-to-50-year-old-linn-sondek-lp12-turntable-design/