Linn go direct

By Michael Jones

June 2008


One of Linn New Zealand's show rooms (click for larger image)

Dean Harnish (left) and John Ellingham (right)

The Linn building in Apollo Drive

In a surprise move – but one indicative of changing hi-fi retail patterns – Linn Hi-Fi distributor Linn New Zealand announced that they are now selling direct to the audio public.

“It’s to do with standards,” said Linn NZ’s Dean Harnish. “The standards [of most retailers] are not up to the quality that Linn expect to demonstrate their products.”

“There’s not a single hi-fi store in the country that does proper demonstrations,” adds Linn NZ’s John Ellingham.

Linn NZ is established in Apollo Drive on Auckland’s North Shore. The premises have long contained two single system demonstration rooms, used to support existing dealers and installers in demonstrating Linn products in a supportive environment.

The facilities “allow the customer to listen in ideal conditions to a range of products” from Linn, said Dean Harnish. “We want to set high standards for our customers.”

Dean and John are hardly strangers to hi-fi retail. They set up Absolute Sound in Newmarket in 1983, long thought of as one of New Zealand’s more successful hi-fi stores. In 1996 the store moved to Parnell and was sold to the current owners in 2004.

With Linn’s range moving further upmarket over recent years many dealers simply have been unwilling to invest in the range. Linn NZ has sold several of the $30,000 Klimax DS digital stream players, but none of these sales have come through dealers.

Linn’s showroom in Apollo Drive is available to demonstrate a large part of Linn’s range of audio and custom installation range. Demonstrations are strictly by appointment only – proper setup of quality hi-fi equipment takes time.

Linn NZ also offer servicing for all Linn products, including a full range of turntable upgrades. Since gaining the Linn distributorship in 1984, Dean Harnish estimates that he and John between them have set up over 1500 LP12 turntables.

Linn New Zealand
Unit 6, 31 Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay
North Shore

Phone: 09-966 1020
Website

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