Last November 25 was an especially sad day for those who have some kind of connection with high-quality audio: Ken Ishiwata, an immensely talented engineer, enthusiastic music lover and exceptional person, left us forever.
From UMusic we want to convey our regret for the disappearance of a restless and eternally young spirit – 72 years old, very little time for someone who has so much to say – who, beyond his charismatic role as “Brand Ambassador” of Marantz, marks with the UMusic has had a relationship since 1988, Ken has been a faithful and committed friend for us. A friend who, thanks to his passion and his vision of what music reproduction should be, has managed to create his own legend. A legend that we had the privilege of enjoying firsthand in the 3 events that together with Sarte Audio we organized in UMusic Bilbao and Barcelona –always with full houses- A delight.
“A legend that we had the privilege to enjoy in first person during the 3 events that together with Sarte Audio we organized in UMusic Bilbao and Barcelona –always with a full house-”
They say that people are remembered for their works. In the case of Ken, we and the world of High Fidelity in its noblest expression will always remember him. Not only because of his imaginative and perfectionist spirit, which has made him stamp his signature on some of the best audio components ever created, but also because of the youthful enthusiasm he brought to each and every one of his performances and auditions. he. An engineer by training, Ken knew how to combine, like few others, a privileged talent with the best technology to put them at the service of his true passion: music. A combination that made him one of the most listened to and respected personalities by lovers of sound reproduction around the world.
“Ken knew how to combine, like few others, a privileged talent with the best technology to put them at the service of his true passion: music..”
Professionally linked to Marantz from 1978 to 2018, Ken Ishiwata is owed above all an infinite desire to make sound in capital letters available to the greatest number of fans possible. A desire materialized in his iconic creations “KI Signature”. Just in 2018, shortly before his relationship with Marantz ended, Ken delighted us with two products designed precisely to celebrate his 40 years with the brand: the PM-KI Ruby stereo integrated amplifier and the SA-KI Ruby SACD player with DAC . Two lessons in masterful know-how that were joined just a month ago by an almost premonitory tribute: the granting, by the influential specialized magazine What Hi-Fi?, of one of its respected awards to Ken Ishiwata for his exceptional contribution to the audio industry.
Rest in peace Ken, you will be missed.
