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 company was 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. The Denon brand was first established in 1947 when “Nippon Columbia” merged with “Japan Denki Onkyo”. In 1971, Denon started producing hi-fi audio components, including turntables, amplifiers, tuners and speakers.
