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Linn Abandons CD Players

What does everybody think?

On November 19, manufacturer Linn Products held a press conference in London to announce that they are ceasing the production of CD players.

They have maintained their focus on server based system controllers. With the improved data streaming and the ever changing format of digital technology, doesn't this sound like once again Ivor Tiefenbrun is leading the way when the common wisdom is not quite there yet?

Remember back to the late seventies, Ivor was there doing demos when many, many an audiophile was of the belief that the turntable had little or nothing to do with the sonic quality.

Do you feel we're their (yet)? Or that the rest of the industry (aside from our Scottish friends) is seeing this as a paradigm shift, dropping the red book CD?

Happy Listening!
128x128r_f_sayles

Showing 2 responses by r_f_sayles

r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles OP
872 posts
 
Full (disc)losure: I'm must admit to being a long time vinyl guy. I like the
analogue sound. I've owned a Sondek Lp12 since '82.

It's easy to be very reluctant to spend much on even a unidisc player when
everything keeps changing every time I change my socks.

But, I'm looking into the whole server/dac thing. It is alluring and I feel the
sound rivals red book.

Happy Listening!
r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles OP
872 posts
 

Theo,

I agree also I love my record (vinyl)albums for the gestalt of the whole thing, the cover art, the cleaning, the care of putting it on my deck and playing it, being able to hold it in my hands.

Here's were Ivor is different than the rest, it is just like the sondek in that he is not just supplying demand to what the masses think they need. He really is taking a chance by structuring his endeavors and his success around what he thinks is best. Agreed, he is pushing his DAC system at the expense of not selling you and I a CD player along the way. In the past he was willing to stand up against huge groups of nay-sayers and argue his point convincingly enough that people could get beyond their preconceived notions. And only then when they listened... instead of arguing some past theory, they heard their music better.

I just wonder if this is the start of a huge shift.

Happy Listening!
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