Linn survived the CD and digital music eras by being the first to sell studio master quality tracks for download over the internet, later forging a partnership with lossless audio platform TIDAL. It also makes speakers and network music players fit for audiophiles. These days vinyl is also experiencing a significant resurgence among music nerds who like nothing better than thumbing through liner notes on gatefold LPs while their records spin.
The company, which almost went bust in 2006, is certainly glad to still be around so is partial to an anniversary bash. When it turned 40 in 2013, Linn released a limited edition Sondek LP12 "encased in a beautiful wood plinth, crafted from the solid oak casks used to mature Highland Park's award winning whisky." There were 40 units available for £25,000 and each came with a £900 bottle of 40-year-old Highland Park whisky.
For its 50th anniversary, however, Linn has upped the luxury ante by collaborating with Ive's LoveFrom on another LP12 remix – the Sondek LP12-50, which starts from £50,000 (how's that for an Apple tax?) with only 250 units made. In the US, it'll set you back $60k, and in the EU it starts at €59,500.
From The Register
