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Ariston was a pioneering Scottish hi-fi manufacturer founded by Hamish Robertson in the early 1970s (transitioning from his company Thermac in 1967 to Ariston in 1970, then Ariston Audio in 1973). The company was headquartered in Irvine, Scotland, and became renowned for creating the legendary RD11 turntable in 1971, developed in collaboration with Castle Precision Engineering Ltd. The RD11 was considered one of Scotland's finest turntables and was revered by affluent 1970s audiophiles. Ariston's legacy is deeply intertwined with Linn Products, as the RD11 served as the predecessor and foundation for the world-famous Linn LP12 Sondek turntable. After patent litigation with Linn and Hamish Robertson's death during the legal battle, the original Scottish company declined and was eventually acquired, with the brand rights now controlled by Richer Sounds. Today, the Ariston name appears on budget audio products, a far cry from its prestigious turntable heritage.