Denon

Denon was founded in 1910, and in 1951 became the first Japanese audio company to sell long-playing records. In the early 1970s, Denon developed and manufactured the world’s first practical digital PCM recording device, and in 1972 released the world’s first digitally recorded long-playing records. Over the years, Denon has built an impressive reputation for itself, gaining respect and numerous accolades around the world as a manufacturer of exceptional quality Hi-Fi products. In recent times, Denon has built an enviable position as one of the world’s leading home theater manufacturers by leveraging its experience and expertise in audio-video components.

The main events that occurred over 100 years with the Denon company  1910 – The birth of Nippon Columbia. Nippon Columbia originates from the company “Nipon Chikuonki Shokai” (Japan Recorders Corporation), which was founded by American-born Frederick Whitney Horn in 1910. Horne has been importing and selling a variety of mechanical machines, including phonographs, since 1986. Being an intelligent person and competently assessing the market potential, he came to the conclusion that independent production of phonographs, as well as media with recordings of classical music, is very profitable. The company was officially founded on October 1, 1910 under the name Nipponophone Phonograph Company Ltd. Columbia Graphophone acquired a 35.7% stake in Nipponophone in May 1927, and in January 1928 Nippon Columbia Phonograph Company, Ltd., known as Denon, was founded . Following the initially chosen direction, the updated Denon continued to be actively involved in sound recording in the 30s.

Denon DN-023R (1972) 

1939 – The Denon brand is born. The Denon brand originated from the merger of Japan Denki Onkyo (known as “Den-on”), one of the subsidiaries. The Den-on company consisted of a group of engineers who focused the business on the development of audio equipment since the formation of Japan Recorders Mfg. in 1939. The company developed and manufactured turntables and gramophone recorders that were used by NHK radio and other radio stations around the world.

Denon TU-500 (1978) 

1960 – From the popular Columbia brand to the Denon brand with audio equipment. During the 1960s, Nippon Columbia expanded its operations to produce a wide range of products, including vinyl records, stereo sets, radios, televisions, musical instruments, and electric calculators.

Denon DR-450 (1980)

1964 – In 1964, Denon began selling audio cassettes.  1971 – In 1971, Denon began trading hi-fi components, turntables, amplifiers, tuners and loudspeakers.  1972 – Denon Digital is born. In 1972, Denon released the world’s first digital 8-channel recorder, the DN-023R, for practical use. It was a huge machine, consisting of 3 parts: a tape mechanism, a monitor and a signal processor. The device had a resolution of only 13 bits and functions inherent in analogue recording equipment of that time. The device allowed for manual editing, provided simultaneous recording or playback of 8 channels, and performed the function of “previewing” the mixed master phonogram. In April 1972, this digital recorder was installed in the Aoyarna Tower Hall and was used to record two works by Mozart for string quartet.

Denon DP-60L (1981)

1977 – In 1977, Denon received Billboard magazine’s prestigious “Trend-Setter Award” for its developments in digital audio recording.

1981 – In 1981, Denon releases the first CD player, the DN-3000FE, for professional use.  1982 – Only a year later, in October 1982, Denon shocks the market with the world’s first CD player for home use, the DCD-2000.

Denon DCD-1800 (1985) 

1992 – In 1992, two decades after Denon became the first company in the world to produce digital recorders for practical use, the landmark “Alpha Processing” technology was created. This technology aims to achieve microscopic smoothness by being able to interpolate 16-bit CD data into 20-bit data to approximate analog waveforms during recording. This technology was first used in the DA-S1 analog-to-digital converter, released in 1993.  1993 – The award-winning DN-2000F dual disco CD player becomes the industry standard for club DJs.  1994 – In 1994, Denon was awarded the European Audio Award for innovation in the development of the Alpha Processor. Denon introduces the first professional broadcast minidisc recorder, now standard in radio stations around the world.

Denon PRA-6000 (1988) 

1995 – Denon UK recordings include Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 at Abbey Road Studios. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Jun-ichi Hirokami, also performs this piece of music at the Royal Festival Hall. A new studio for integrated digital sound recording was established in Japan, in the city of Yoyogi.

Denon POA-3000RG (1990)

1996 – Denon released the AVP-A1 preamplifier and POA-T2/T3 power amplifiers – the world’s first A/V components equipped with Dolby Digital and THX 5.1  1997 – Denon released the world’s first commercial music DVD; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”, Egmont’s Overture and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, recorded in 5-channel surround sound at a live concert at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt in November 1996. Denon’s first DVD player DVD-2000.

Denon DN-2000F (1993) 

1999 – The world’s first THX-EX AV component, the AVC-A10SE. THX Surround EX audio (developed by Lucasfilm and Dolby Lab’s) first appeared in the film “Star Wars – Episode 1: The Phantom Menace”. The THX Surround EX circuit extracts an additional center rear channel from a specially encoded discrete 5.1-channel signal, which increases the realism of sound effects in both cinemas and home theaters.  2000 – The world’s first DTS-ES discrete AV component, AVC-A1SE. DTS decoding now offers a digital discrete surround-back channel, providing better separation.

Denon DA-QS1 + DP-QS1 (1993)

2001 – Denon launches the first Mini 5.1 A/V system complete with NXT planar speakers and AV-F100 subwoofer. Also released was the DVD-2800 DVD player, the first DVD player to use a Silicon Images Scan processor. In 2001, the company was reorganized into a corporation with 98% of the shares owned by Ripplewood Holdings and 2% of the shares owned by Hitachi Corporation. In 2002, Denon merged with the Japanese company Marantz, also specializing in the production of consumer electronics in the Hi-Fi and Hi-End categories, the parent corporation – D&M Holdings – in addition to Denon and Marantz, also includes Boston Acoustics, the brainchild of Mr. Ken Ishiwata , the ideological inspirer of Marantz. 2002 – Denon Link technology brings a new era to digital connectivity.

Denon PMA-QS10 (1997)

2004 – In November 2004, Denon UK unveils the new high-end DVD player DVD-A1XV at the What Hi-Fi exhibition in London. This marks the global market launch of the first consumer product development to utilize the HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) “Realta” processor from Silicon Optix. As a result of a three-year collaboration between Denon and Silicon Optix, the technology itself is based on a Teranex USA HDTV broadcast standard processor costing more than $60,000, and implemented in a single chip. By comparison, this show demonstrated how standard DVD discs can produce images that are sharper, cleaner and smoother with stunning depth, vibrancy and detail.

Denon AVC-A1SE (1999) 

Today, the Denon name has become synonymous with stunning, immersive images and stunningly detailed yet powerful surround sound. From home theater to hi-fi and mini component systems, the ambience created by any Denon product symbolizes the true essence of natural sound and the epitome of pure beauty.

Denon DVD-A1XV (2006) 

Passion, Creativity, Technology. For us at Denon, these are not just empty words. They are part of the philosophy that underlies everything we do. These three words, along with decades of innovation and design excellence, are at the core of our culture. Every Denon product is created with these words in mind and with one goal in mind: enhancing the entertainment experience.

Denon AVC-A1XV (2006) 

The use of innovative technology and design is at the very heart of what makes Denon products iconic. Through a disciplined approach to design and manufacturing, our engineers ensure exceptional workmanship, precision engineering and flawless execution in every component. Our solutions are often the result of careful examination of examples from the widest range of possible disciplines – including physics, electronics, mechanical engineering, art and nature itself. Our constant quest to create the perfect entertainment components not only provides us with invaluable inspiration for optimal technical solutions, but also allows us to implement the most convenient features in our products to meet a wide variety of entertainment needs. That’s why we relentlessly transform creative ideas into industry-leading innovations.

Denon AVC-A1XV (2006) 

Simply put, anything that doesn’t provide more inspiration, improve functionality or enhance the experience is not Denon. We know this because we don’t just make these products, we use them. When you use Denon products, it is these high standards that heighten your senses and enhance your experience. This is where Denon is Different. This is exactly our vision.

Denon AVP-A1HDCi (2007) 

For Denon, AV playback is more than just a business. Creating products that allow others to fully enjoy quality is true passion and the very reason we exist. In addition, our constant quest to create the perfect entertainment component is key to turning creative ideas into leading innovations and anticipating our customers’ needs. Recently, we have also been developing mobile technologies so that customers can enjoy the highest quality playback in any format. Bringing purity of sound and joy into the lives of our customers is what Denon is all about.

Denon POA-A1HDCi (2007)

The company’s heritage is to lead the way, and our 100-year history of audio and visual imaging positions us well to lead the way into the future. We value our heritage and use it for inspiration, it is the source from which we draw strength in our constant search for excellence. In the future, we will also strive to maintain the key characteristics of our products, power, accuracy and functionality. In addition, Denon is always looking forward, evolving and constantly looking for opportunities to turn its innovations into leading innovations. Whatever the direction of development, Denon will participate in it, adding to its proud “legacy of firsts”.

Denon PMA-2500NE + DCD-2500NE (2017)