1985 Linn Magazine

[Charlie1]

Found much of this interesting, especially making LPs. Didn't realise that went to such lengths to make great sounding records. Shame they only issue about 5 or 6 albums now :(


http://news.linn.co.uk/archive/Linn_Magazine_1985.pdf

[Per A]

That was fun. I liked the layout and still think those naims looked great.

[Tony Tune-age]

http://news.linn.co.uk/archive/Linn_Magazine_1985.pdf

That's a great article Charlie :!: It certainly covers many significant and historical topics...thanks 8)

[Tony Tune-age]

Just finished reading the Linn Magazine from 1985. Although the entire magazine is interesting, I really enjoyed the interview between Roger Cook and Ivor Tiefenbrun on Linns' philosophy, musicology and manners. Also enjoyed the Isobarik Loudspeaker article, it's hard to believe that was 1985 :!: How time flies... :roll:

[Lego]

..'Open the door HAL..'

[Efraim roots]

Thanks! Very fun to read this! As I was born 85 and bought my first Linn product 18months ago I need to study some history. I love music and have for many years been an obsessed record collector. I never thought I would go serious about Hifi, for me Hifi was synonymous with boring sound. Linn proved me wrong and when I learned more about the philosophy and tune dem it was like a revelation to me. I'm actually very grateful in my heart for this as I love music so much and now enjoy it more whenever I like.

I enjoyed to read the interview with Ivor and got even more convinced in the greatness of Linn. It must take some balls to dismiss almost everything out there and some hard work and patience explaining why to the market. I doesn't seem like much has changed since those days regarding Hifi tho.

[Moomintroll]

Hopefully the Linn Archive should grow as the guys at Linn have the time to work on it - I've just sent them scans of some old articles and adverts that I have and I know of someone else who is scanning the later Linn magazine.

BTW - this magazine is earlier than 1985 - I got my copy from the factory on Drakemire Drive in 1984.

'troll

[Tony Tune-age]

BTW - this magazine is earlier than 1985 - I got my copy from the factory on Drakemire Drive in 1984.

'troll

I was trying to identify the magazine date by Linn's top of the line cartridge and tonearm, although it was the nineties when I initially discovered Linn audio. By that time, the Ekos II was the their best tonearm, along with the original Arkiv moving coil cartridge.

In any case, it was entertaining to see this magazine from 1984 8) .

[Charlie1]

It's was clearly published when they were still in bed with Naim, so 1984 isn't surprising. Anyone know when the LK1 came out and it went sour with Naim?

[Tony Tune-age]

Anyone know when the LK1 came out and it went sour with Naim?

If my memory serves properly, it may have been either 1987 or 1988, and I do remember my Linn dealer having an upgraded LK1 with the Spark (or whatever the upgrade package was... 8) ).

Wow, it's been a long time since I've heard anyhting about the Linn LK1 :!:

[monkeydevil]

It's was clearly published when they were still in bed with Naim, so 1984 isn't surprising. Anyone know when the LK1 came out and it went sour with Naim?

Do you mean there is a connection here, between the LK1 and the "break up" with Naim? Or if I misunderstood you, what actually happened between these to companies?

[Tony Tune-age]

Do you mean there is a connection here, between the LK1 and the "break up" with Naim? Or if I misunderstood you, what actually happened between these to companies?

I'll have to conduct further research, but according to my original Linn dealer, once Linn began to produce electronic components (i.e., preamplifiers, power amplifiers, etc.) their relationship with Naim changed. Of course that relationship with Naim may have started to change during Linn's electronic component research and develop phase. (Charlie might have better historical information regarding this past relationship.)

In any case, by the time I became a Linn customer, the relationship with Naim was nothing more than a history lesson.

[ThomasOK]

OK, a little history lesson as the information was relayed to me. I'll be glad to take credit for anything I get right, anything that is incorrect came from somewhere else! :)

The LK1 and LK2 were introduced in late 1985. This was shortly after I left the US Linn and Naim distributor, Audiophile Systems Ltd (ASL), but I had an appointment only store at the time selling Linn, Naim, Heybrook, Rega, and a couple others so I was still in close contact with them. At the time my home system was a fully loaded LP12 with a Naim NAC32/Hi-Cap/2x135s into Isobarik DMS. I received one of the first batch of LK1 and LK2 and hooked them into my system. I immediately felt that they were musically superior to the Naim electronics I had despite being around a third of the price.

ASL felt the same way. While they liked the Naim gear they didn't feel they could, in all honesty, sell products that they felt to be more expensive yet inferior. Since the only Naim components under the price of the LK1/LK2 were the Nait and the 42/110 (and that not by a lot) most of the Naim gear fell into this more expensive/less musical category. So despite hating to loose the Nait and the relationship with Naim, ASL wrote a letter to Naim saying that they felt it would be better for Naim if they were to go with another distributor who could better promote their products. I think similar things happened at a number of distributors.

As to the relationship between Linn and Naim, what I was told by my friends at ASL was that in the early days Linn felt that Naim made the best preamps and amps (as indeed they did at the time) and Naim felt Linn made the best turntable and speakers. Although Naim started out making speakers they decided to concentrate on the electronics and to work in conjunction with Linn making products like electronic crossovers and MC phono cards matched to Linn products. This symbiotic relationship was mirrored by most of their foreign distributors who generally distributed both lines. I was told that there was a gentleman's agreement between Linn and Naim that Linn wouldn't make electronics and Naim wouldn't make speakers and turntable components.

The story I heard on the development of the LK1 and LK2 was that they grew out of the Linn record cutting lathe project. In an effort to better understand what was actually in the records so as to be able to make better turntables, arms and cartridges, Linn purchased a used cutting lathe so they could cut their own records. The first thing they did was just to give it the standard recommended maintenance - lubricating parts and tightening up bolts, etc. Imagine their surprise when just this bit of attention reduced the noise floor by 20dB on a lathe that was cutting records up until the time they picked it up! Being the engineers and researchers they were Linn started to look at ways to make the lathe even better. All they did to it is a story in itself but many parts were redone, sometimes with custom machined replacements. One of these improvements was to replace the driver amplifier with a pair of modified Naim NAP250. But in an effort to improve things even further and give the lathe better capabilities Linn engineers designed a custom amp to drive the cutting head. Upon doing this they went to Ivor and told him they could make an amp and preamp superior to the Naim units for a lower cost. Ivor gave them the go ahead and the LK1 and LK2 were born.

As you can imagine, Naim were not very happy with this breach of the agreement and the relationship became rather sour with Naim coming out with their own speaker line not too long after that. The acrimony in the Linn/Naim relationship spread to many of the distributors and also a lot of the dealers (at least outside the UK), many of whom felt compelled to take sides and drop one line or the other. To this day it is relatively rare to find a dealer in the US who carries both Linn and Naim although there are a few.

So yes, I think you could definitely say there is a connection between the LK1/LK2 introduction and the break up between Linn and Naim. :shock:

[Tony Tune-age]

That certainly is good historical information Thomas :!: Thanks for the update, apparently my old Linn dealer was correct... 8) I hope Linn audio has a long life span :!:

[lejonklou]

This magazine and the second one that followed inspired a lot of people, including me. Some became Linn fans just by reading them and realizing how dedicated, thorough and methodical a company Linn really was.

In comparison, nearly everything that's been produced after Linn went "lifestyle" in the 90's is a waste of paper, time and money.

[Tony Tune-age]

In comparison, nearly everything that's been produced after Linn went "lifestyle" in the 90's is a waste of paper, time and money.

Lejonklou, not sure I understand - could you provide some insight :?:

[lejonklou]

I mean that all the ads and the catalogues they've made since back then have been terribly boring. They don't communicate any passion and there's nothing unique about them.

I have to add that in the 90's, when I was in retail, the shift in focus from technology-engineering-music to lifestyle-money-success was very evident. The enthusiasts that built their business were more or less seen as nerds, who would always remain loyal and didn't need any convincing. The communication was instead aimed at impressing successful people and trying to become a high status brand. CD12, Aston Martin, yachts.

[Tony Tune-age]

I mean that all the ads and the catalogues they've made since back then have been terribly boring. They don't communicate any passion and there's nothing unique about them.

I have to add that in the 90's, when I was in retail, the shift in focus from technology-engineering-music to lifestyle-money-success was very evident.

Okay, that's what I thought you meant - but wasn't really sure 8) . I do remember when Linn changed their marketing approach, and as such, many audiophiles stopped buying into the Linn philosophy.

Perhaps in time, Linn will return to their original roots... :?:

[Efraim roots]

I fully understand what you are saying Lejonklou. Even if I'm praising Linn in my previous post I truly haven't seen much of the spirit shown in the paper from 85 today! Most of my newly acquired knowledge and insight in music reproduction has actually come from this forum I would say. As a reference for you, you are inspiring people by running this forum just like you were inspired by these papers. Thanks for keeping the knowledge alive and growing, and please Lejonkou, never go 'lifestyle'

Maybe this is a good oppourtunity to say a big thanks to everyone contributing to this forum. I have learned so much here! Like this thread for example, a great history lesson :lol:

[Charlie1]

I fully understand what you are saying Lejonklou. Even if I'm praising Linn in my previous post I truly haven't seen much of the spirit shown in the paper from 85 today!

Playing devil's advocate a moment - maybe Linn saw that the days of the hi-fi enthusiast in large numbers was coming to an end. Perhaps they wouldn't be here today if they'd not changed their approach and targetted the lifestyle market. When I was a kid an interest in hi-fi went with an interest in music. Pretty much everyone I knew was keen on getting a seperates system even though most were entry level Technics or NAD. I'm obviously not so up on what teenagers are into these days, but I get the feeling things have changed a lot what with iPods etc.

At least Linn has kept their focus on Tune Method and developing musical products even if they are moved into the high end market for the most part. I can see how Lejonklou is carrying on in the spirit of the early Linn electronics like the LK1 Thomas talked about. Personally, I still can't part with my Kikkin despite not needing to sell the KK at the moment and using it only once in a while. The Kikkin is just too good value for money to part with.

[Tony Tune-age]

At least Linn has kept their focus on Tune Method and developing musical products even if they are moved into the high end market for the most part.

Linn has certainly continued with producing great sounding products. Although in my opinion, the overall price range is now at a much higher level than earlier days. But in some aspects, Linn still has a little of that spirit from days gone by... 8) .

The advancements of the Sondek turntable are truly incredible, which reflects a spirit of creative thinking, and an ongoing commitment to the vinyl world. And there have been significant improvements with Linn electronics as well, which shares that same type of spirit.

The products made by Lejonklou seem to follow Linn's earlier approach to high-end audio, which is refreshing to see now days :!:

[lejonklou]

Efraim: Thanks to you too!

I agree that to some part, Linn have refocused on their old customers and classic 2 channel reproduction. The new MD seems to do a good job, keeping the innovation tempo high.

What I originally commented was how they communicate, not the products they make.

[Visoflex]

My personal take is that I agree that Linn did seem to lose ththe plot some time back. However, without any detriment to the people involved, I suspect it happened partly as a result of Ivor's earlier illness. Having to hand over the reins to others for whom Linn Products was a company, rather than Ivor's baby. Developing studio monitors, Aston Martin car systems and OEM boxes for Loewe; whilst it gave them experience in some elements of product development, I can't help thinking that it was an expensive and un-sustainable way of doing it. They were spreading themselves too thinly.

Ivor's return from sick leave and his need to put the company on an even keel (no pun intended!) was no doubt painful for many people, but the blood letting had to be done to re-vector the company back to its roots and core values.

Now that Gilad is in charge, and having met and spoken to him at length, I would expect Linn to maintain those values, but with a view to 21st Century realities rather than some rose tinted view of the past. He is committed as as his Dad and, whilst perhaps not as immediately outspoken as Ivor, is as equally positive and passionate. Gilad also has a great development team around him in David Williamson and Phil Hobbs.

Look at the DS line - something to please everyone from the entry level Sneaky to the pinnacle Klimax. Don't forget, the Linn records catalogue includes other specialist labels with a diverse artist listing.

[Tony Tune-age]

What I originally commented was how they communicate, not the products they make.

I agree with you Lejonklou, but may not have been very clear in my previous posts... 8) .

[skiffle0]

Found much of this interesting, especially making LPs. Didn't realise that went to such lengths to make great sounding records. Shame they only issue about 5 or 6 albums now :(


http://news.linn.co.uk/archive/Linn_Magazine_1985.pdf

Many thanks for the link Charlie, very informative read - it encouraged me to register with this forum.

Interesting to see such a radikal change in position on servo systems