Late to the party:Denon and Marantz join forces?? *WHAAAATTT*???? (1 Viewer)

[Kelly Scott Rickards]

I just heard the news of Denon Electronics and Marantz joining forces for new products. Here is what I have heard, correct me if I'm wrong:

Denon and Marantz nameplates will remain

New products will be seperate and distinct (I.E. no Onkyo/Integra clones for joo1)

Two companies will combine their(considerable) engineering might towards development of new products (Denon recievers with Circle Surround?/Marantz DVD players with SHARC Hammerhead Dacs? could be?)

Is this all accurate?

When will these products arrive?

Any more details?

The biggest question I have, however, is:how does Philips figure in all this? IIRC, Marantz is a division of Philips right? Are they just selling off the Marantz arm? Since when did Philips have a seperate engineering arm for Marantz products?

Without question, Philips is one of the worlds premire consumer electronics firms and Denon could do worse than to partner themselves with Philips.

If all this is true, then I see this as the antithisis of the Creative/THX deal

 

[John Garcia]

Marantz is no longer part of Philips. AFAIK, they still have some kind of relationship though, as can be seen in the new Pronto style remotes for the 8200 and 9200 (basically Prontos).
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...ighlight=merge

 

[Camp]

That relationship could just be that they're now buying the Pronto design from Philips. Just as Yamaha and Onkyo do.

 

[RichardMA]

How about that new Derantz?

 

[Doug_Wes]

My Marantz dealer told me that Philips will retain a "minority" interest in the new Denon/Marantz combo.

 

[Earl Simpson]

This is a very short history!!!! They were owned by Sony and made a Gold pro line for about 8 years(1971-1979) and then were sold to someone else in 1979. Sony was loosing its shirt. Sometime in the 80's they made pure junk. Then something happened in the past few years and they have pulled out of their downward spiral. I had posted a complete history before the whole site dumped.



HISTORY OF MARANTZ

Company History

1953 January Standard Radio Corp. established in Setagaya, Tokyo.
Started the manufacture and sales of portable radio receivers.
1954 September Started the manufacture and sales of tape recorders.
1960 March Sagamihara Factory completed in Sagamihara, Kanagawa prefecture.
1961 October Company headquarters moved to Sagamihara.
1962 January Started manufacture and sales of electrical phonograph.
February Integrated into Standard Radio Corp.(established May 10, 1946 as Hokushin Kogyo K.K., name changed in October 1961).
April Started sales and manufacture of communications equipment.
September Listed on the second section of the Tokyo Securities Exchange.
1969 January Standard Communications Corp. (USA) established in Los Angeles, U.S.A., as a sales company. (50% shareholder)
October Standard Denshi K.K. established in Sagamihara, Kanagawa prefecture, as a manufacturing subsidiary.
1971 October Received third-party capitalization from Superscope of the U.S.A. (50% shareholder).
1972 October Kumamoto Standard Corp. established in Kumamoto prefecture, and Miyako Standard Corp. established in Iwate prefecture as manufacturing subsidiaries.
1973 November Takada Standard Corp. established in Iwate prefecture as manufacturing subsidiary.
1975 March Company name changed from Standard Radio Corp. to Marantz Japan, Inc. Names of production subsidiaries were also changed as follows:

1980 December Major shareholder Superscope Corporation of the U.S.A. sells their entire share of stock to N. V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken
1982 October Started manufacture and sales of compact disc players.
1987 January Sagamihara Factory expanded; began the manufacture and sales of video tape decks.
1988 March Started the manufacture and sales of liquid-crystal display televisions.
1991 March Started the manufacture and sales of special low-power wireless radio equipment and related products.
1994 January Started the manufacture and sales of compact manufacturing robots.
August Established a representative office of Marantz Japan, Inc. in Hong Kong.
1995 April The AV group of Marantz Japan, Inc. receives ISO-9001 certification.
Miyako Audio Corp. receives ISO-9002 certification.
June Standard Communications Corp. receives ISO-9002 certification.
1996 February Kumamoto Marantz Corp. receives ISO-9002 certification.
1997 June The communications equipment group of Marantz Japan, Inc. receives ISO-9001 certification.
1998 January Purchased 25% of stock of Standard Communications Corp., becoming a 100% shareholder.
October Started the manufacture and sales of DVD Player.
1999 November Sagamihara Office of Marantz Japan, Inc. receives ISO-9001 certification.
December Started the manufacture and sales of Super Audio CD Player.
NOTE:

In May, 1994, N. V. Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken changed its name to Philips Electronics N.V.
and in April 1998, Philips Electronics N.V. chaged its name to Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.


Marantz America site=

THE GOLDEN AGE

For twenty years following the 1950's Marantz formed the heart of all ultimate Hi-Fi systems. The Thorens/Marantz/AR combination was legendary. But who was the man behind these extraordinary components?
Saul Marantz began designing advanced systems to play his own collection of 78's. His first effort, the Model 1 prototype, proved so superior that within three years it was in mass production. It had 12AX7 valves, a phone equaliser, seven inputs (one even for TV audio), and a loudness potentio-meter with continuous control.

Model 2 followed shortly, a power amplifier, which received an even more overwhelming reception from buyers and critics alike. This was the birth of the Marantz brand.

1959.
The Model 7C is perhaps the most famous of his creations. Over 9 years over 130,000 pieces were built making it one of the most successful high-end audio units ever. Model 9 was less famous when it arrived in the mid sixties, but it set another record: the most expensive power amplifier built by Marantz (and remains a most expensive collector's item). Its price tag is not why people remember it. The sound has few rivals, and can only be described as magnificent; warm and silk, but extremely powerful, lively, and above all, sculpted. Model 9 was Saul Marantz's masterpiece; a benchmark in hi-fi quality.

THE WORLD'S BEST TUNER?

Is it the Marantz 10, the Sequerra or the McIntosh 75? The question continues to provoke debate, but the qualities of the Marantz 10B are difficult to criticise. A built-in oscilloscope, signal location, stereo separation… the technology is remarkable. Even its aesthetic design remains elegant and evocative today - illuminated pale blue display on a black background.

Following the 10B the world was gripped by solid state fever and Marantz the company took a different path to Marantz the man. Today, the new generation of Marantz products are reclaiming the position and reputation built by Saul Marantz. The Marantz marque has an enviable heritage. Rest assured, the future will sound better than ever.
end quote////


THE GOLDEN AGE
For twenty years following the 1950’s Marantz formed the heart of all ultimate Hi-Fi systems. The Thorens/Marantz/AR combination was legendary. But who was the man behind these extraordinary components? Saul Marantz began designing advanced systems to play his own collection of 78’s. His first effort, the Model 1 prototype, proved so superior that within three years it was in mass production. It had 12AX7 valves, a phone equaliser, seven inputs (one even for TV audio), and a loudness potentio-meter with continuous control.

Model 2 followed shortly, a power amplifier, which received an even more overwhelming reception from buyers and critics alike. This was the birth of the Marantz brand.

1959. The Model 7C is perhaps the most famous of his creations. Over 9 years over 130,000 pieces were built making it one of the most successful high-end audio units ever. Model 9 was less famous when it arrived in the mid sixties, but it set another record: the most expensive power amplifier built by Marantz (and remains a most expensive collector’s item). Its price tag is not why people remember it. The sound has few rivals, and can only be described as magnificent; warm and silk, but extremely powerful, lively, and above all, sculpted. Model 9 was Saul Marantz’s masterpiece; a benchmark in hi-fi quality.

THE WORLD’S BEST TUNER?

Is it the Marantz 10, the Sequerra or the McIntosh 75? The question continues to provoke debate, but the qualities of the Marantz 10B are difficult to criticise. A built-in oscilloscope, signal location, stereo separation… the technology is remarkable. Even its aesthetic design remains elegant and evocative today - illuminated pale blue display on a black background.

Following the 10B the world was gripped by solid state fever and Marantz the company took a different path to Marantz the man. Today, the new generation of Marantz products are reclaiming the position and reputation built by Saul Marantz. The Marantz marque has an enviable heritage. Rest assured, the future will sound better than ever.




MARANTZ TO OPERATE UNDER NEWLY-CREATED HOLDING COMPANY






D&M Holdings Inc. to Oversee Both Denon and Marantz Brands -
ITASCA, IL, March 7, 2002—Marantz Japan Inc., its largest shareholder (49%), Royal Philips Electronics and Denon, Ltd., its largest shareholder (98%), Ripplewood Holdings L.L.C. today announced the establishment of D&M Holdings Inc. a joint holding company, to merge the operations of Marantz and Denon, two leading companies in the specialist home entertainment products market. The transaction is expected to close by May 2002 and will leverage the strengths of both companies while maintaining the identities of the Marantz and Denon brands.

Under D&M Holdings, Marantz and Denon will maintain operations as distinct brands, with separate product lines and distribution channels. Under the ownership of D&M Holdings, it is expected that the two companies will benefit from the integration of procurement, manufacturing, engineering, administrative and other business activities.

John McCready, President of Marantz America pointed out: “The establishment of D&M Holdings enables Marantz America to build on our traditional strengths while attaining significant additional advantages through its newly-created relationship with Denon. Marantz will continue to operate independently and retain its brand identity, which holds high prestige among consumers and dealers. We will pursue our own individual business strategies and our sales, marketing and distribution efforts will remain unchanged.”

McCready continued: “Combining the Marantz and Denon brands under D&M Holdings will make both brands stronger, more profitable and more competitive. In addition to the economies effected by combining both companies’ production, engineering and administrative operations, our shared technological and engineering expertise will strengthen both companies’ product offerings and ability to accommodate the needs of the growing home entertainment marketplace.”

About Marantz America

Marantz America is committed to upholding the tradition of technological superiority initiated by founder Saul Marantz over forty-five years ago. In keeping with this emphasis on quality, Marantz audio and video components are carried only by the nation’s premier independent audio/video specialty retailers.


DENON HISTORY




1910 Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd, founded by Frederick Whitney Horne, commenced sales of single-side disc records and gramophone players

1939 Developed Japan's first professional-use disc recorder for the broadcasting industry

1951 Commenced sales of Japan's first LP records

1953 Developed a professional-use tape recorder for the broadcasting industry

1959 Commenced commercial production of open-reel audio tapes

1962 Introduced the Elepian series of electronics pianos

1963 Commenced sales of the DL-103 phono cartridge, one of the longest running products in audio history. Still used by broadcasters and audiophiles, it spawned the development of a series of outstanding MC cartridges

1964 Commenced sales of audio cassette tapes

1971 Commenced sales of hi-fi audio components, including turntables, amplifiers, tuners and loudspeakers

1972 Developed the world's first PCM digital recorder for regular studio use, thus launching the digital audio revolution. Commenced sales of PCM records.

1977 Received America's prestigious Billboard Magazine "Trend-Setter Award" for DENON's outstanding contribution to the industry through its development of PCM digital recording

1978 Commenced sales of DENON DX audio cassette tapes

1980 DENON's PCM recording system received the 13th Montreux International "Diplome d'honneur technique" award in Switzerland. Established DENON America Inc. in the U.S.A. Completed a new state-of-the-art recording facility

1981 The Philips/Sony Compact Disc system was announced. Developed the DN-3000FE professional-use CD player (1983)

1983 Inaugurated sales of the world's first Compact Discs available at retail and led the industry in the introduction of consumer-use CD players. Commenced sales of video cassettes on a large scale

1987 DENON introduces the world's first CD Cart™ Player, the DN-950F, for the broadcast and professional industries. DENON opens its second CD pressing plant in Madison, GA

1988 Commenced sales of audio/video amplifiers

1989 DENON's industry-leading Super Linear Converter (SLC) mechanisms replaced by the Real 20-Bit Super Linear Converter. Greatly expanded line of hi-fi car audio components. Completed CD player plant in Germany. DENON reorganized its operations to reflect ongoing changes in its product line-up. Established DENON France S.A. Began CD-ROM premastering and pressing services.

1990 Three DENON products (CD player, power amplifier and cassette deck) won coveted "Diapason d'Or" Component Grand Prix awards at "Les Journees de la Haute Fidelite '90" hi-fi show in Paris. Commenced sales of high-grade portable CD players and compact system audio components. Celebrated DENON's 80th anniversary. Central Research Laboratory completed in the Kawasaki plant.

1991 Announced standard DVI player, which enables one-hour playback of full motion video into a 12cm diameter CD. Opened a multimedia studio in the head office.

1992 Developed the ALPHA processor for separate type CD player.

1994 DENON introduces MiniDisc Cart Players and MiniDisc Cart Recorders for the broadcast and professional industries.

1995 DENON delivers the world's first family of MiniDisc products for the broadcast, DJ and professional industries. Delivered the world's first Dolby Digital/THX pre-amp/tuner/processor.

1996 DENON ACTIVE MEDIA (DAM) is formed in Atlanta GA. to develop DVD disc pressing business

1997 Introduced and began sales of DVD-2000 Digital Video Disc player, continuing active role in evolution of 5" optical disc

 

[Brian Bunge]

I see this as a good thing for Denon as I could never use one in a system where two channel audio was of any importance.

Brian