wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (05/22/84)
Since most net.audio readers seem interested in Nakamichi products, I submit the following information, from a story in a trade publication, "Audio Times", the May 84 issue: NAKAMICHI PLANS ELECTRONICS WITH THRESHOLD CIRCUIT Torrance, CA -- Nakamichi will soon field a line of audio electronics components designed in conjunction with US manufacturer Threshold Corp of Sacramento, CA. Prototypes of the first units will be on display at next month's Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, where delivery dates will be announced. ....a line of power amplifiers, preamps, and receivers is planned. The agreement with Threshold is the second joint venture announced by Nakamichi within the last two months. In early March, the company announced it would develop and market professional audio products in conjunction with BGW Systems of Hawthorne, CA. The agreement with Threshold licenses Nakamichi to use the US company's patented Stasis amplifier circuitry. ...the circuitry will be incorporated into a product line that targets a broader market than does the Threshold line. ...US manufacturing is under investigation. ...the company has no intention of pursuing growth through expanded distribution, and it can't expect its limited dealer network to dramatically increase cassette deck sales, so growth must come from expansion into other product categories. [Paragraph here mentions earlier Nak effort in the 70's to sell audio electronics, which was dropped.] Under the terms of the BGW joint venture, BGW will provide experience in design, development, and marketing of professional, commercial, and musical instrument products, as well as some manufacturing. Nakamichi will provide R&D funding, tape recording technology, and volume manufacturing. The first project calls for BGW to market Nakamichi's professional digital audio processor model DMP100 to studio and broadcast dealers. ***End of article*** Will