The Beginnings of Accuphase■The founding of Kensonic
In 1972, the brothers Nakaichi and Jiro Kasuga left Trio-Kenwood Corporation(currently JVC Kenwood) to form a separate company dedicated solely to themanufacture of audio products. Rather than opting for mass production with its
inevitable compromises, the founders, along with a small number of like-minded
colleagues, decided from the outset to create only a smaller run of componentsthat focused on impeccable sound quality and that were a representation of theirown ideals for music reproduction. Design, manufacture, sales, and service allwere to be carried out in-house.

The Company’s founding members

Jiro Kasuga and Jim. S. Saito, the current chairman

Over the course of one year until the introduction of the first products, theprivate home of Jiro Kasuga in the Ota district of Tokyo actually served as anoffice and the location where design work was going on. At the time, stereo
reproduction of music had just become widespread in Japan, and the audio
industry was flourishing, but its output was limited to mass-produced
general-appeal products. There was practically no manufacturer specializing in
high-end audio. Accuphase was born with the dream doing just that, aiming tocreate high-end audio components that would be ranked among the best in theworld.

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Initial design work being conducted at the home of Jiro Kasuga■From Kensonic to AccuphaseKensonic Laboratory, Inc. had originally been releasing its products under thebrand name Accuphase, but on the occasion of its 10th anniversary thecompany was renamed to Accuphase Laboratory, Inc., thereby unifying thebrand and company name.

The word Accuphase was adapted by taking the prefix ACCU from the word
"accurate" and combining it with PHASE which is an important factor that relates
to the innermost essence of audio technology. The unusual and somewhat
difficult to pronounce name was a complete unknown in the beginning, and thecompany was often thought to be foreign rather than Japanese.
In June 1973, one year after its formation, Accuphase moved to newly built
premises in the Aoba district of Yokohama where the company is still locatedtoday. In August of the same year, the long awaited first models went into2

production: the separate power amplifier/preamplifier combo P-300 and C-200,
soon followed by the AM/FM tuner T-100.

Debut models P-300/C-200/T-100

Utilizing only top-quality parts and innovative circuit design, and built with
uncompromising attention to craftsmanship, these products delivered amazing
performance and optimal sound, but their price tag was quite out of the ordinary
as well...

1973: Japan Compo Grand Prix awarded to the P-300

3Nevertheless, the market received them with nothing short of enthusiasm. Their
impeccable sound and excellent build quality were showered with praise andearned them many awards including the Gold Prize for the P-300 in the "Japan
Compo Grand Prix" (awarded by Radio Gijutsu Inc.) in the autumn of 1973. They
became the starting point of Accuphase's impressive track record that continues
to this day, and they signaled the dawn of high-end audio in Japan.

横浜市青葉区の本社全景

Accuphase Headquarters in Aoba-Ku, Yokohama■Dedicated to the pursuit of quality
Ever since its beginnings, Accuphase has been focused on the true high end,
aiming to create outstanding products and become one of the leading brands inthe world of audio. This aim was achieved through the dedicated andunwavering pursuit of quality. Our sincere attitude and serious stance arereflected in products that maintain full traceability also after they enter the market,
and that are designed to deliver beautiful sound and top performance over thecourse of many years of ownership.

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Early Accuphase products from the beginning to the 1990s

Accuphase products that embody this design philosophy have earned thehighest praise from audiophiles around the globe and are trusted and loved by acommunity of loyal owners. Over the course of 40 years and starting with theinitial three (C-200/P-300/T-100), more than 240 models (averaging six models
per year) have been introduced.

Some of the many prizes and trophies

Preserving all models manufactured so far

Each and every one of these has been designed, built, and sold according to aconsistent policy, namely to create products with high added value, backed bysophisticated technology. Reflecting innovative design and offering the ultimate
in reliability, many Accuphase products have become legendary milestones in
the history of audio. This is demonstrated by countless awards and honorsbestowed on them by audio publications and industry web sites all over theworld.

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