Rarely does a single name evoke as much reverence in the world of high-fidelity as that of Ken Ishiwata. Throughout over four decades, this talented engineer, notably known for his collaboration with Marantz, shaped the high-end audio sector like no other. He passed away in 2019, leaving an indelible mark on the way we perceive music. Here is a look back at the incredible career of this hi-fi rock star.
The beginnings of an icon
Born in 1947 in Japan, where modern electronics were just beginning to emerge, Ken Ishiwata was naturally interested in new technologies, particularly audio. The 1960s saw this enthusiast dive into the world of high fidelity. An early sign of his talent, he created his own copy of the Marantz Model 7C preamplifier by reverse engineering. To save money, he replaced the components with cheaper generic models. He later admitted in an interview that he “was so shocked to discover that the sound wasn’t as good as the real thing, it was a question of component quality.”
Later, Ken Ishiwata went on to collaborate with big names in audio, notably Pioneer. From the very beginning, he stood out from his peers with his approach that combined art and science to reproduce music in a new way. This vision would not only redefine Marantz’ identity, but it would also reshape the outlook for the audio industry for generations to come.
Marantz and the Ishiwata touch
When Ken Ishiwata joined Marantz in 1978, the brand already had a solid reputation. Nevertheless, this collaboration ushered in a period of renewal and innovation that made the manufacturer legendary. Initially hired as a technical coordinator, Ken’s passion for sound soon led him to become involved in equipment design and development. With Philips having taken on the role of majority shareholder in Marantz, he was given the challenging task of revising and improving the Philips CD100 CD player. The result of this ambitious project was the Marantz CD-45, equipped with an optimized power supply and an advanced converter stage. Ken Ishiwata, constantly pushing the limits of excellence, then introduced a limited edition model with a 14-bit DAC: the Marantz CD-45LE.
This iconic player was the first in a long series of limited editions redesigned by Ken Ishiwata. The acoustic engineer’s spirit shines through in many Marantz electronics, which are marked with the initials KI (Ken Ishiwata), like a seal of approval ensuring the highest level of performance. It can be found on the Marantz KI and KI Pearl series, as well as the Marantz KI Ruby range, a limited edition to celebrate 40 years of collaboration between Ken Ishiwata and Marantz. These limited series represent months, or even years, of fine-tuning and modifications to achieve the “right” sound according to master Ishiwata’s standards.
La Philosophie de Ken Ishiwata
What really set Ken Ishiwata apart from many other engineers was his philosophy. For him, specifications and charts were secondary to the actual listening experience. He often spoke of the search for emotion in sound. For Ken, every piece of music had a soul, and the job of a good hi-fi system was to reveal it.
To achieve this goal, Ken never hesitated to challenge established industry standards. He was known to spend countless hours listening and re-listening to music, tweaking every component until he was satisfied. For him, audio design wasn’t a science, it was an art. From the choice of materials to the aesthetic details and the internal configuration of the circuits, the “Ishiwata touch” was omnipresent in Marantz equipment.
Ken Ishiwata: Marantz ambassador
In 1996, after two decades of intense and productive partnership, Ken Ishiwata was awarded the prestigious title of official Marantz ambassador. This accolade testified not only to the deep symbiosis between the man and the brand, but also to Marantz’s recognition of the invaluable impact the engineer had on its evolution. Ken Ishiwata became a true icon, a figure whose influence extended far beyond the walls of Marantz. His appearances at audio shows were always eagerly awaited, not only because he presented innovative equipment of unrivalled musicality, but also because he had the gift of captivating his audience by communicating his passion for high fidelity like no other.
Ken Ishiwata’s last project
At the age of 72, Ken Ishiwata ended an epic collaboration of over 40 years with Marantz in 2019 to begin a new chapter with prestigious Japanese manufacturer Rotel. With the flame of his passion still burning, he devoted his time to perfecting the Rotel A11 amp and the Rotel CD-11 player. Sadly, Ken Ishiwata passed away that same year at the end of this crucial development phase. To pay tribute to him, Rotel called on Ken Ishiwata’s children to bring the project to fruition. The result is the Rotel A11 Tribute amplifier and the Rotel CD-11 Tribute CD player. The last witnesses to Ken Ishiwata’s genius, these two models benefit from an optimized power supply, carefully selected components and revisited circuits to deliver the Ishiwata signature like no other electronics.
Ken Ishiwata’s lasting legacy
Ken Ishiwata’s death in 2019 was a blow to the audio industry. However, his legacy lives on through the many devices he designed and the principles he championed. He leaves behind a philosophy, a way of approaching audio that continues to inspire engineers and music lovers the world over. For many, he embodied the very best of the industry: a passion for music, a relentless quest for perfection, and an ability to create equipment that transcends music.
