Denon History

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, including the Nippon Columbia record label. 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.

Denon started making twin DJ CD players in the early 90s. 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 received several awards in Europe.

Denon is a Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer, specializing in professional and consumer home cinema and audio equipment including A/V receivers, DVD players, tuners and wireless music systems. Originally established by Frederick Whitney Horn in 1910 as part of “Nippon Chikuonki Shokai" (Japan Recorders Corporation), a manufacturer of single-sided disc records and gramophones.

There followed a number of mergers and tie-ins over the next few decades as firstly the company merged with Japan-US Recorders Manufacturing in 1912 and then in 1928 the brand “Columbia” was introduced when the company became “Japan Columbia Recorders”. A further change of name occurred in 1946 when the company renamed itself “Nippon Columbia”.

The Denon brand was first established in 1947 when “Nippon Columbia” merged with “Japan Denki Onkyo” , to further consolidate its position as an established brand leader in the field of professional and consumer home cinema and audio equipment “D&M Holdings Inc.” was created in May 2002 when Denon Ltd and Marantz Japan Inc. merged.

1910 Manufacturer of single-sided disc records and gramophones.

1939 Launched first professional-use disc recorder for broadcast industry and disk cutting lathe, thus becoming a premium manufacturer of professional recording studio and broadcast equipment.

1951 Commenced sales of Japan’s 1st LP records.

1953 Launched professional-use tape recorder for broadcast industry.

1958 Introduced sales of stereo records.

1959 Commenced production of open-reel audio tapes.

1962 Introduced Elepian series of electronic pianos.

1963 Developed the legendary DL-103 phono cartridge.

1964 Started sales of audio cassette tapes.

1971 Started producing hi-fi audio components, including turntables, amplifiers, tuners and speakers.

1972 Introduced the world’s first viable 8 channel digital recorder.

1977 Awarded Americas prestigious Billboard magazine Trend-Setter Award for outstanding contribution to the industry.

1980 Awarded the 13’th Montreux International Diplome d’honneur technique award.

1981 Developed a professional-use CD player.

1982 Industry leader in the introduction of consumer-use CD players.

1988 Introduced range of AV amplifiers to product range.

1990 Awarded three component awards at Paris hi-fi show.

1993 Developed the award winning twin deck DJ CD player DN-200F. .

1994 Awarded European Audio Innovation of the Year.

1995 Worlds first Dolby AC-3 and THX 5.1 certified home theater system.

1997 Introduced DVD player into product range.

1999 Worlds first THX-EX home theater system (THX Extended to provide fuller surround sound).

2001 Produced first Mini system with 5.1 surround sound.

2002 Denon link technology developed for improved digital connectivity.

2004 Launch of worlds first consumer product featuring HQV (Hollywood Quality Video).

Company information courtesy of their Wikipedia entry, which is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.