A Legacy of Firsts

In 1910, in Japan, Nippon Chikuonki Shoukai (Japan Recorders Corporation) was established by an American trader named Frederick Whitney Horn. Along with Japanese partners, he released the company’s first products: a single disc record and gramophone. The actual brand name ‘Denon’ was born in the late 1930s and has since been synonymis with developments in groundbreaking new technologies and products for professional and consumer use.

Hirofumi Ichikawa, President Denon Brand Company: “Through creative passion and technical brilliance, Denon has delivered groundbreaking firsts. And now, in 2010, we are celebrating 100 years of history and looking forward to the next 100 years. Denon has not only maintained focus through these years, but continues to be a driving force that helps revolutionise our industry. Our innovations have led to the development of entirely new product categories, with new ways of enjoying not only music but movies as well, and offering the best solutions for professional applications and quality home entertainment. All of this with one simple and unwavering philosophy: to deliver exactly what the original artist intended, with a superior audio and video experience.”

Throughout a century of innovation, Denon has built a strong ‘Legacy of Firsts’, including the first professional disc recorder (1939), the first sales of stereo records and stereo systems in Japan (1951), and the first PCM recorder invented by Denon in 1970 – the basis of today’s CD format. In 1982 Denon introduced the first consumer use CD player (the DCD-2000), another historical ‘first’. With the advent of home theatre technologies, Denon became the first company to release a home cinema component supporting Dolby Digital decoding for replaying multi-channel audio content.

Underlying this Legacy of Firsts are three constants that define and differentiate Denon historically, and are also a promise for the future: passion, artistry and technology.

Passion for Audio

For Denon the creation of products that can deliver the highest quality user experience is a driving passion and the reason the company exists. Today, as digital audio becomes increasingly portable, reproduction quality becomes even more important. Denon is passionate about developing and leveraging advanced audio technologies so that it can deliver the highest sound quality and best possible user experience in any format; whether it's a simple hi-fi mini system, full home theatre system, or a professional audio, broadcast or DJ component.

Artistry

Denon engineers and employees are musicians and music lovers. They dream, imagine and work across a broad canvas of tools and technologies to design the most innovative new products. They also strive to create products of the highest aesthetic form and design, to reflect the taste and sensibilities of their owners. Everybody at Denon is dedicated to the artistry and the creativity of the products. All are working together to imagine the future and how to improve the products and the service to the customers.

Technology

From the beginnings of compact disc technology to the rise of surround sound, and the development of portable, streaming and networked audio, Denon has been a leader and innovator in introducing these technologies to the world; making them accessible to professional users and consumers. Denon is proud of its products and wants its customers to to share in that pride. Its products are objects of care and meticulous attention to detail, in order to perfect and optimise design, quality amd performance.

Becoming a part of the centenary

During the year Denon will celebrate its 100th anniversary at some of the world's most important exhibitions. This is a monumental point in Denon´s history, so Denon invites you to join in this historical celebration. Therefore Denon has  launched a special Anniversary website, www.denon100.com, where you can learn all about the ‘Legacy of Firsts’ and, most importantly, the people whose passion for audio and video drive all that Denon does in delivering the highest performing components available. Welcome to the Denon family. To further enable its customers to participate in its jubilee celebrations, Denon will release some limited anniversary products over the year.

For further information on the 100 years anniversary please visit:
http://www.denon100.com

History Timeline: 100 years of groundbreaking milestones

1910: Nippon Chikuonki Shoukai (Japan Recorders Corporation) was established and commenced sales of Japan's first phonograph

1939: Developed and manufactured Japan's first professional use disc recorder for NHK

1945: First recording of Japan’s Emperor Hirohito – his speech ending WWII recorded on Denon equipment

1951: Commenced sales of Japan's first LP records

1958: Commenced sales of Japan's first stereo records and stereo system

1964: Commenced the sales of the legendary MC Phono Cartridge (still available today) for professional use

1970: First AC servo direct phono motor using pulse magnetic field detection for professional use

1972: Developed the world's first practical PCM digital recorder for regular studio recording use -> thus launching the digital audio revolution

1981: Developed the world's first professional use CD player

1982: Commenced sales of the world's first consumer use CD player

1987: World's first CD cart player for professional use

1993: World's first dual CD player for DJs with seamless looping and onboard sampler

1995: World's first home theater system to support Dolby Digital decoding with Lukas film THX5.1 post processing

2000: World's first DTS-ES discrete A/V components

2009: World's first universal disc (BD, SACD, DVD, CD) player

About Denon:

From its beginning in 1910 as a supplier of professional recording studio and broadcast equipment, Denon has become a world leader in the manufacture of the highest quality home theatre, audio and software products. Denon is recognized internationally for innovative and groundbreaking products and has a long history of technical innovations, including the development and first commercialization of PCM digital audio.

About D&M Holdings Inc.:

D&M Holdings Inc. is a global operating company providing worldwide management and distribution platforms for premium consumer, automotive, commercial and professional audio and video businesses including Denon®, Marantz®, McIntosh® Laboratory, Boston Acoustics®, Snell Acoustics, Escient, Calrec Audio, Denon DJ, Allen & Heath, D&M Professional and D&M Premium Sound Solutions. Our technologies improve the quality of any audio and visual experience. All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of D&M Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries. For more information visit www.dm-holdings.com.

For further information:
PRESS CONTACT INFO

KGa marketing&media: tel +44 7977 410 444
email dmpro@kgamarketing.com

COMPANY CONTACT INFO

D&M Business & Professional Europe: tel +44 1753 680023; fax +44 1753 689697
email press@dm-pro.eu www.dm-pro.eu

Denon is a trademark or registered trademark of D&M Holdings, Inc.