Jony Ive’s LoveFrom Designs $60,000 Record Player to Celebrate Linn’s 50th Anniversary

When you think of Jony Ive, you may immediately associate him with Apple and its iconic products like the iMac, iPhone, and iPad. But post-Apple, Ive has embarked on a new venture with his firm, LoveFrom. And their latest creation is a true labor of love – the Sondek LP12-50 record player. This high-end turntable is a celebration of Linn’s 50th anniversary and showcases Ive’s design prowess and LoveFrom’s creative vision.

A Bold Departure for Jony Ive

Jony Ive’s post-Apple career has taken an unexpected turn with the release of the Sondek LP12-50. While many may not see a record player as a natural extension of his design expertise, Ive’s decision to venture into this territory proves that he’s not afraid to explore new horizons. With his vast experience as Apple’s longtime director of design, Ive brings a unique perspective to the world of record players.

It’s clear that Ive’s motivation for this project goes beyond simply making a statement. The Sondek LP12-50 is a testament to his passion for design and his desire to push boundaries. And with LoveFrom by his side, he’s able to fully realize his vision and create something truly remarkable.

LoveFrom’s Interpretation of an Icon

The Sondek LP12 turntable has been an iconic piece of audio equipment since its introduction in 1972. Known for its minimalist design and exceptional sound quality, it has become a beloved symbol of Linn’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Ive and LoveFrom sought to take the Sondek LP12 to the next level.

Gone are the 70s-style wood accents that characterized the original design. Instead, Ive and his team opted for a sleek, industrial aesthetic that reflects their modern sensibilities. The result is a turntable that not only sounds incredible but also looks like a work of art. Every detail, from the clean lines to the carefully chosen materials, has been meticulously considered to create a product that is both timeless and contemporary.

The Design Philosophy Behind the Sondek LP12-50

Ive has always believed that iconic products should not be taken for granted. Even when a design seems perfect, there is always room for improvement. This philosophy guided LoveFrom’s approach to the Sondek LP12-50. In an interview with Fortune, Ive explained, “It’s easy to assume that iconic products can’t be improved upon, but this is a particularly challenging design problem that requires a respectful evaluation of the product.”

LoveFrom’s goal was to pay homage to the original Sondek LP12 while injecting their own unique perspective. One of the key challenges was maintaining the signature sound of the suspended subframe system while bringing a fresh perspective to the overall design. It required a delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation.

Innovations and Enhancements

While the aesthetics of the Sondek LP12-50 may be the most noticeable change, LoveFrom didn’t stop there. They also made several mechanical advancements to enhance the performance of the turntable. One notable addition is Linn’s new Bedrok™ skirting technology, which utilizes orthogonal layers of beech to create a solid and resonance-free material. This innovative approach provides superior isolation for the turntable mechanism, resulting in a cleaner and more accurate sound.

Additionally, LoveFrom leveraged their expertise in industrial design to improve the overall user experience. Every aspect of the Sondek LP12-50 has been carefully considered, from the placement of buttons and controls to the accessibility of the cartridge and tonearm. These small but significant improvements ensure that the user can fully immerse themselves in the music with ease.

A Limited Edition Masterpiece

As with any masterpiece, the Sondek LP12-50 is a limited edition. Only 250 units will be produced, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item. Each turntable is meticulously handcrafted, further emphasizing the attention to detail that LoveFrom has given to this project.

With a price tag of $60,000, the Sondek LP12-50 is not for the faint of heart. However, for those who truly appreciate the intersection of design and music, it represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of audio history.

Conclusion

The Sondek LP12-50 is a testament to Jony Ive’s ongoing commitment to design excellence. It showcases his ability to push boundaries and create something truly extraordinary. Working alongside LoveFrom, Ive has brought his unique perspective to the world of record players, resulting in a product that is both cutting-edge and timeless.

Whether you’re a dedicated audiophile or simply appreciate beautiful design, the Sondek LP12-50 is a work of art that deserves recognition. Its limited availability and high price only add to its allure, making it a true collector’s item.

You enjoyed their iMacs, their iPhones, their iPads. You got excited by the way he said “aluminum” [sic]. you admired the typography. Are you ready for the $60,000 record player? You’d better make up your mind fast, because Linn only produces 250 of these handmade bad boys.

A record player doesn’t seem like a logical extension of Jony Ive’s post-Apple career, but nothing about Jony Ive’s post-Apple career It seemed especially logical. And hey, more power to him. Apple’s longtime director of design probably has no funding problem, so who can blame the guy for having a little fun with it?

Ive and his firm LoveFrom have designed Sondek LP12-50, a clear labor of love for all parties involved marking the 50th anniversary of Linn’s iconic Sondek LP12 turntable. The original version, introduced in 1972, was a relatively minimalist system in its own right, but Ive and the team took things to their logical conclusion. Gone was the 70s-style wood design, in its place the kind of clean industrial lines one would expect from the guy who helped bring the iPod to the world.

“When it’s a widely recognized and respected icon, and the design elements are familiar, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re optimal,” Ive said in a statement. interview with fortune. “Particularly when you have products that take on the status of becoming iconic and have that kind of cultural resonance, it’s easy to assume they can’t be improved upon. And this is a particularly challenging design problem to respectfully evaluate the product.”

Imagine that Paul McCartney calls you and asks you to cover “Yesterday.” How close to the original do you stay? In this case, there are specific elements of the suspended subframe system that needed to remain intact to maintain its signature sound. LoveFrom’s challenge was to effectively color those lines in a novel way.

Of course, some changes were made to the mechanics to keep up. Linn writes: “The sound enhancement comes through Linn’s new Bedrok™ skirting technology; formed by orthogonal layers of beech placed under extreme pressure to create a completely new, solid and massive material. The resulting ultra-dense wood has negligible resonance and offers a superior isolation enclosure for the turntable mechanism.”

The turntable is expected to ship sometime between this August and next March.