denon

Denon is a Japanese electronics company that originated Digital Audio technology, while specializing in manufacturing of high-fidelity professional and consumer audio equipment. For many decades, Denon was a brand name of Nippon-Columbia, the Japanese arm of Columbia Records. In 2001 Denon was spun off as a separate company with 98% held by Ripplewood Holdings and 2% by Hitachi. In 2002 Denon merged with Marantz to form D&M Holdings.

The Denon brand came from a merger of Denki Onkyo and others in 1939.

History

Source: Denon web site

1900s

Birth

• 1907: Japan-U.S. Recorders Manufacturing established by Frederick Whitney Horn. Horn was a U.S.-born trader engaged in importing machine tools and recorders in Yokohama since 1896. In an attempt to commercialize records and recorders, he initiated Japan-U.S. Recorders Manufacturing, and constructed a special-purpose factory to begin the manufacturing of recorders. These recorders, equipped with a large wine glass-shaped loudspeaker, commenced the sales of single-side disc records and gramophone players.

1910s

The Beginning of an Era of Innovation

• 1910: Nippon Chikuonki Shokai – Japan Recorders Corporation – a company that specialized in producing audio recordings of special events, was established by Frederick Whitney Horn. Nippon Chikuonki Shokai becomes known as Nippon Columbia in the US.
• 1912: Nippon Chikuonki Shokai / Nippon Columbia merges with Japan-U.S. Recorders Manufacturing, thus launching the double-side management of "software and hardware", an integration of manufacturing and sales.

1920s

Becoming a World-Class Global Company

• 1927: The term "Columbia" comes officially into the Japanese company name, when the company enters into a capital tie-up with Columbia Records
• 1928: Japan Columbia Recorders is founded.

1930s

The Birth of the Denon Brand

• 1939: The DENON brand originated from the merger of Japan Denki Onkyo (commonly known as "Den-On"), one of the affiliates. Den-On was a group of engineers in business-purpose audio equipment, dating back to Japan Electric Recorders Mfg., which was established in 1939. The company was developing and manufacturing turntables and cartridge tape-recorders for NHK and other broadcast stations.

A typical model for DENON, the MC-type cartridge DL-103, was the object of joint R&D efforts with NHK before Den-On merged with Nippon Columbia. Tape-recorders and other equipment, designed for the serious audiophiles, were also released as part of the DENON brand, reflecting Den-On's passion for advanced technology. The DENON brand really established a strong position with the debut of the DP-5000, a direct-drive phono-motor with an FG-type servo, that boasted a brand-new design and predominant performance.

• 1939: The newly named company develops Japan's first professional-use disc recorder for the broadcasting industry, and Japan’s first disk cutting lathe – launching itself as a premier manufacturer of professional recording studio and broadcast equipment.

1940s

The Denon Vision Grows into a Reality.

• 1946: The company was officially renamed "Nippon Columbia".
• 1947: Nippon Columbia assimilated Japan Denki Onkyo, marketing the "DENON" brand among its network of affiliates.

1950s

Becoming widely recognized as synonymous with fine sound quality.

• 1951: In addition to commencing the sales of Japan’s first LP records and stereo records, Denon introduced the world’s first stereo moving-coil phono cartridge. This sophisticated product was merely a foretaste of what was to come, as it actually preceded the commercial introduction of stereo audio seven years later.
• 1953: Developes the professional use tape recorder
• 1959: Commences production of open-reel audio tapes.

1960s

The reign as a leader in high quality acoustics and electronics commences.
In the 1960’s, Denon became engaged in a wide array of acoustics and electronic components, including records, audio cassette tapes, professional tape recorders for the broadcast industry, stereo sets, radios, televisions, musical instruments, and electric calculators. In addition, the legendary DL-103 moving coil phono cartridge was introduced and became one of the longest running products in audio history. The DL-103, still used by broadcasters and audiophiles, spawned the development of a series of outstanding MC cartridges that continue to be an indispensable component for music lovers, audiophiles, recording studios, sound professionals, musicians and custom installers today.

• 1962: Introduces the Elepian series of electronic pianos (Eletronic Pianos)
• 1963: Introduces the DL-103 moving coil Magnetic phonographic cartridge
• 1964: Introduces the audio compact cassette tape

1970s

The Birth of Denon Digital.
The 1970’s marked the beginning of Denon’s first full line of high fidelity audio components, including amplifiers, tuners, loudspeakers and turntables. With the digital audio revolution taking place within the market, Denon’s unique association with NHK, Japan’s national broadcast network, gave the company a significant advantage in developing innovative digital technologies. In particular, Denon pioneered the world’s first commercially available digital Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) recorder for regular studio recording use, and the world’s first LP originating from a digital recording (Mozart: The Two String Quartets, Nippon Columbia NCC-8501N). Pulse Code Modulation is the digital format that would eventually become the worldwide standard for the now ubiquitous Compact Disc. Another world’s first was the launch of the practical 8-channel digital recorder, the DN-023R – a massive machine consisting of three pieces: a tape transport, monitor and a signal processor.

• 1972: Introduces the world's first "digital" LP album, mastered from a digital audio recording
• 1977: Denon received the prestigious Billboard Magazine “Trend-Setter Award” for Denon’s outstanding contribution to the industry through its development of PCM digital recording.
• 1978: Denon commenced the sales of Denon DX audio cassette tapes.

1980s

Introduction of Professional and Consumer Compact Disc Players
Throughout the 1980’s, Denon continued to advance digital technology for both the professional and consumer markets by inaugurating a number of “world’s first” in digital recording technology.

• 1980: Denon’s Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) recording system received the 13th Montreux International “Diplome d’honneur technique” award in Switzerland. In the same year, DENON America, Inc. was established in the United States, where a new state-of-the-art recording facility was built.
• 1981: The Philips/Sony compact disc system, using Denon's PCM audio technology, was announced. Initiated development of the Denon DN-3000FE - the world’s first professional-use CD player.
• 1982: The world's first consumer-use CD player - the Denon DCD-2000 - is introduced. Through precision engineering, Denon pursued microscopic quality errors in digital sound reproduction, called quantizing (or "zero-cross") distortion, which comes from step-like aliasing of low-level (near-zero) bits, which produced an apparent "harshness" in sound quality.
• 1983: Denon initiated sales of the world's first Compact Discs available at retail and led the industry in the introduction of consumer-use CD players. The company also commenced sales of video cassettes worldwide.
• 1987: Denon debuted the world's first CD Cart™ Player, the DN-950F, for the broadcast and professional industries. The second CD pressing plant was opened in Madison, GA.
• 1988: Denon commenced sales of its legendary line of high fidelity, high performance audio/video amplifiers.
• 1989: Denon's industry-leading Super Linear Converter (SLC) mechanisms were replaced by the Real 20-Bit Super Linear Converter. The company also greatly expanded its line of hi-fi car audio components and built a CD player plant in Germany. Denon experienced a reorganization of its operations to reflect ongoing changes in its product line. Denon France S.A. was also established to begin CD-ROM pre-mastering and pressing services.

1990s

Advancements in Cutting-Edge Design and Innovative Technologies Continues.

• 1990: Three Denon products (CD player, power amplifier and cassette deck) won the coveted "Diapason d'Or" Component Grand Prix awards at "Les Journees de la Haute Fidelite 1990" hi-fi show in Paris.
• 1990: Denon commences manufacturing of high-grade portable CD players and compact system audio components .With the celebration of its 80th anniversary, a new Central Research Laboratory was constructed in the Kawasaki plant.
• 1991: Denon introduces the standard DVI player, which enables one-hour playback of full motion video into a 12cm diameter CD. Opens a multimedia studio in the head office.
• 1992: Two decades after the company became the first in the world to have put digital recorders to practical use, "ALPHA Processing" was announced, an epoch-making technology. This technology achieves microscopic smoothness by incorporating a capability consisting of interpolating the 16-bit data of a CD to 20 bits, so as to approach the analog wave forms during recording.

1993: ALPHA processing is first incorporated into the DA-S1 Digital-Analog converter.

• 1993: Denon's award-winning twin deck DJ CD player, the DN-2000F, becomes the industry standard for club DJ's.
• 1994: Denon’s Alpha Processor wins the European Audio Award for Innovation. In addition, the company introduces Mini Disc Cart Players and the first Professional Broadcast Mini Disc Cart Recorder, now the industry standard in radio stations worldwide.
• 1995: Continuing its long history of world’s firsts in digital A/V technology, Denon introduces the AVP-8000 in 1995 as the first home theater system to support Dolby Digital decoding with Lucasfilm THX 5.1 post-processing, followed by the AVR-5600, the world's first A/V receiver with Dolby Digital and THX and the Dolby Digital AC-3/THX preamp/tuner/processor. Catering to the broadcast, DJ and professional industries, Denon also delivers the world’s first family of Mini Disc products. Maintaining its heritage as a leader in recordings, Denon releases the Mahler Symphony No. 4 in the UK at the Abbey Road studios. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jun-ichi Hirokami also performs the piece at the Royal Festival Hall. A new studio dedicated to state-of-the-art digital recording is also established in Yoyogi, Japan, and DVD Video standards are constituted.
• 1996: Denon Active Media (DAM) is formed in Atlanta, GA to launch into the DVD-disc pressing business. To enhance the power of Denon, the world’s first Dolby Digital/THX 5.1 AVP-A1 A/V pre-amp/processor is created with matching 3- and 2-channel power amplifiers.
• 1997: Denon introduces the DVD-2000 Digital Video Disc play in 1997 to continue its active role in the technological evolution of 5” optical discs. In addition, the world’s first commercial music DVD discs are released by Denon – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”, the Egmont Overture and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, which were all recorded in 5-channel surround sound.
• 1999: In conjunction with the release of Star Wars – Episode 1 in 1999, Denon introduces the world’s first THX-EX (Extended) A/V component – the AVC-A10SE. This specialized encoding enhances “Surround Back” channel for both commercial cinema and home cinema equipment. Signals can now be truly available in 360 degree surround sound with panning in any direction.

2000s

Celebrating 90 Years of Commitment to High Performance and the Ultimate A/V Experience

• 2000: Marked the 90th anniversary of Denon and its parent company, Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd. Throughout its history, Denon’s professional-use, consumer-use equipment and software products have long been internationally recognized for their originality and high standards of quality, durability and innovation. To celebrate its anniversary, Denon launches the world’s first DTS-ES Discrete A/V component, the AVC-A1SE. The DTS decoding option provides digital discrete surround-back channel for even better sound separation.
• 2001: Denon launches the first Mini 5.1 A/V system complete with NXT flat-panel speakers and sub-woofer, the AV-F100 and the first DVD player with Silicon Images Progressive Scan processing, the DVD-2800.
• 2002: A new era for digital connections is formed with the introduction of the DENON LINK technology, which enables high-speed, high-grade, multi-channel digital signal transmission. The first product to incorporate the new DENON LINK technology was the AVC-A1SR and the DVD-A1.
• 2004: In November 2004, Denon UK previewed the new DVD-A1XV high-end DVD player at the What Hi-Fi Show in London. This event became the world launch for this player, the first consumer product anywhere to incorporate the HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) "Realta" processor from Silicon Optix. Following three years of collaboration between Denon and Silicon Optix, this technology is based on the original Teranex USA HDTV broadcast-standard processor costing over $60,000, now incorporated into a single chip. The comparisons at this show demonstrated how standard DVD discs can produce smooth, clean high-definition images with amazing depth, clarity and detail.
• 2006: In August 2006, Denon DJ announce their up and coming Multimedia Deck, the DN-HD2500. With a head unit for the standard CD mixing, the HD2500 also has a built in hard disk, and USB2.0 connectivity, allowing DJ's to connect their own USB storage directory to the unit whilst DJ'ing.

Denon continues to introduce innovative high performance audio-video products, using the latest technologies and craftsmanship. The company is a highly diversified specialist in providing high end audio and home theater products, offering consumers and professionals with high quality sound and images, reliability, and convenience features.

See also

• High end audio
• The Disco Studio
• AV Receivers

Denon started making twin DJ CD players in the early 90s and have, since then, become the industry standard. Their first ranges included the DN1000F, DN2000F and the DN2500F. They also made the world's only twin MiniDisc player designed for DJ use. Their latest product range includes the Denon DN-D4500, a wide selection of DJ mixer and most recently high-end DJ headphones. They are also known for high-end AV Receivers and Moving coil phono cartridges.

Two M-series models, the Denon M31 and M30, have been the most successful radio hi-fi's for the last 4 years. They have upgraded the award winning system with the all new Denon M35 DAB which has DAB radio capability. It also boasts an FM tuner, has MP3 and WMA capability, and a CD player. Denon reworked components and developed their new SC-M73 speakers. Since being released to the micro hifi DAB market, they have been given several awards from Europe.

External links

• Denon.com Worldwide Denon official site.
• History of Denon.
• Denon DJ Official Website
• Denon DJ Australia
• Denon DJ Forums
• Denon DN-HD2500 Website
• The Blank Tape Gallery's Denon Cassettes Page