By the way the reputation of Sansui was linked to his quality transformer... I copy that from internet :
Background of Hashimoto Electric - Who is Hashimoto Electric? Why?
Hashimoto Electric Co., Ltd, started its business in 1958
as an OEM transformer manufacturer. From its beginning, Sansui Electric
was one of Hashimoto’s main customers.
In 1979, when Sansui decided to focus on assembling
finished products rather producing parts, Sansui decided to cut-off its entire
transformer business. It was the shocking news in the entire industry because
Sansui’s transformer business was very successful one. Further more, the
transformer business was Sansui’s foundation and its roots, and Sansui decided
to span off its entire business including patents, blue prints, personnel,
sales/marketing/distribution systems, and even the right to use Sansui brand
name.
The company who inherited Sansui’s entire transformer
business was Hashimoto Electric. Ever since, Hashimoto Electric produced
transformers for Sansui with Sansui logo on them. Some transformers used for
Sansui’s very high-end models might have come from other manufacturers with
limited special contracts; however, the most of Sansui transformers were
supplied by Hashimoto Electric.
When Sansui decided to reissue the famed AU-111 in 1999,
Hashimoto Electric was one to reproduce the power and output transformers with
the exact original specifications. Although current Sansui does not own any
production plants or Sansui does not manufacture any hi-fi units, Hashimoto
still produces replacement Sansui transformers for the maintenance market.
Around the year 2000, when Sansui decided to retreat from
the hi-fi business, Hashimoto decided to manufacture own high end tube
transformers with its own brand name. By utilizing Sansui’s years of tube
transformer technologies, Hashimoto further improved the technology and came out
with various brand new models; 12 power transformers, 7 choke coils, 15 output
transformers, and 6 various kinds.
Mr. Ishiguro who used to work for Sansui as a transformer
engineer and being transferred to Hashimoto still work for Hashimoto today.
About a year ago, Mr. Ishiguro proudly mentioned to me that Hashimoto has
inherited a special DNA for Sansui. This DNA was from the original Sansui; not
from Sansui whose business philosophy was altered by bean counters, nor from
Sansui whose business was taken over by foreign investors.
This DNA was directly created by the Sansui founder, Mr.
Kozo Kikuchi. Mr. Kikuchi’s business philosophy was, “Let our products speak
for themselves.” Sansui used be a tremendously ideology oriented company, and Mr.
Kikuchi chose to loose money before sending unsatisfactory products to the
market.
As if he were working for the old Sansui, Mr. Ishiguro
proudly mentioned to me that Hashimoto’s tube transformers are far advanced than
those from anybody else. Because Hashimoto’s transformers are designed to work
together and compliment each other, the best sound will be achieved by using all
Hashimoto transformers on a project. Without a firm brief and confidence,
nobody could make such a statement. Further more, I could foresee a common
denominator between these two gentlemen – enormous pride and no compromises on
their products.
As Sansui used to be, Hashimoto needs good marketing
strategies and marketing efforts, especially to market its own branded
products. It is common for technology oriented companies to come in short for
reaching out to the right customers. Therefore, this is the exact reason why we
are introducing Hashimoto Electric to the world via this site, and reaching out
to every hi-fi enthusiast who loves the sound of tube amplifiers.
http://www.tube-amps.net/Hashimoto_Background.htm
