TEAC: HIROSHI OSHIMA ERT INTERVIEW
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Q: How would you say the brand has evolved over the years, in line with the changing landscape of consumer electronics? HO: While audio media technology has changed from analogue to digital over the past 50 years, TEAC has always been a leader of audio products – particularly in the category of recorders and “source” players from the early days of reel-to-reel tape decks! Now of course, the main stream of source players moves to such things as Network Streamers and USB DAC players. However, we constantly seek the highest level
of digital audio technology and develop different types of digital source players to cope with the ever-unique demands of audiophiles today. We should not forget that our customers who love music and audio products are always looking for something different from what their friends have. That is why we should always look after even a minor advantage of technology and features to ensure that they would offer a better sound and experience for the listener.
Q: Are consumers investing in high- end technology just as much now as they’ve always done? How might we see consumers’ spending power affected this year, do you think?
HO: We have found that many end users are not willing to purchase audio products frequently simply because of different features and specifications from which the model they currently own. At TEAC we focus on taking care of the customer group that is always willing to spend more money to improve the sound quality in their home and looking for something different from their current audio system. Many people are also convinced with technology stories why the sound would be better than other brands or former products of the same brand; they are a small number of people, but if we consider it at a global level it is not small for our company size! “Being the global niche” is our company’s slogan.
Q: Do you think turntables/vinyl players are back for good? Why do you think they are so popular again? HO: Before pandemic hit the world, everybody said that young people think vinyl is cool as it is a fashion statement and it’s part of their own style. However, the pandemic made people reconsider their way of life. When they wish to spend time in a more meaningful way, they now consider that it’s not a bad thing to listen to their favourite music with some sort of concentration only for 20 minutes while the turntable plays one side of their favourite album. This will bring a deeper consideration of their favourite music artists, and in my view that certainly brings more fun into their life. So on that basis, I think the resurgence of
April 2023
ertonline.co.uk
vinyl players is a good thing for everybody. True audiophiles can really appreciate their musical heroes in the same way and in the same quality with which they intended.
Q: What are your plans for the coming years? HO: Besides the launch of the VRDS-701 CD player (pictured top left), we also have planned launches for more CD players and turntables in the TEAC Reference series. The Esoteric brand will have new integrated amplifiers and phono equalisers as well. Esoteric’s first ultra-high-end turntable, the Grandioso T1 (£68,000 for the model including the tonearm) launched last year; it employs the world’s first technology of Esoteric Magnet- Drive Systems and it made a lot of noise among critics worldwide! We also plan to develop more high-end turntables over next few years too.
Q: And what do you think the future holds for the audio sector? HO: I personally think that audio products, particularly in the mid- to high-end range, are not merely tech products but pieces of art to reproduce people’s favourite music with the passion with which the artists originally recorded. And like a piece of artwork, each audio product must be unique and captivating. In this respect, there are many different brands of many different sizes in this sector; at TEAC we are happy to be small and niche as long as our products touch the heartstrings of music lovers across the world and bring their senses to their life. Being so unique with each of our brands helps us to grow in a sustainable way within this vast industry.
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