Denon is one of the few companies that can trace its ancestry to both Columbia and Deutsch Gramophone.

Originally founded in 1910 by American Fredrick Whitney Horn. It was the Deutsch Gramophone group that merged with Horn and founded Denon’s parent company as Japan Recorders, in 1912. Under the brand name “Nipponophone”, it became Japan’s first record label and produced Japan’s first record player. 

In 1927, Japan Recorders was purchased by Columbia from Deutsch Gramophone Ltd, and given its new name, Nippon Columbia. The company continued to serve the Far East market with records and players, and began to branch out into radio broadcast equipment. An important early product was the world’s first electric direct drive turntable, in 1939. 

Today, Denon continues to introduce the most innovative audio/video products with the latest technologies, superb craftsmanship and the leading performance worldwide. The company is one of the world’s most diversified specialist audio and home theater providers who offer consumers and professionals with breathtaking sound and images, superior reliability and unrivaled convenience features.