Optonica

Optonica was a premium electronics subdivision created and operated by Sharp Corporation of Japan. It was introduced in 1975 as Sharp's answer to the established high-fidelity brands that dominated the specialist audio market, including Sansui, Sony, Panasonic's Technics, Pioneer, Kenwood, JVC, Marantz, Harman Kardon, Yamaha, Nakamichi and other Japanese and American competitors. Rather than serving as a general-purpose mass-market label, Optonica was positioned around substantial separates, carefully specified receivers, turntables, amplifiers, tuners, cassette decks and loudspeakers. Its products combined Sharp engineering with a distinctive late-1970s and early-1980s visual language, including silver or black front panels, large controls, substantial chassis and, in later generations, more futuristic styling. The first Optonica generation appeared in the mid-1970s and included SA-series stereo receivers, SM-series amplifiers, ST-series tuners, cassette equipment, speakers and turntables. The SA-2121, SA-3131, SA-4141 and SA-5151 receivers formed an early range, with the SA-5151 as the most powerful model in that group. Early components were predominantly analogue and used matching silver-faced controls and hardware. One of the most distinctive products was the RP-3636 direct-drive turntable. Its heavy construction incorporated a Mikage granite compound intended to suppress resonance and reduce feedback reaching the tonearm, giving the unit a collector following among vintage-audio enthusiasts. The SM-4646 amplifier similarly demonstrated the brand's emphasis on elaborate power-supply design, using multiple transformers, large filter capacitors and discrete amplification stages. Optonica's market reception was weaker than Sharp's technical and design ambitions. The line received a French Laurier d'Or in 1977 for its combination of function, design and performance, but the brand did not achieve strong sales in France or other markets. The high-end audio sector was also becoming more difficult as consumer demand shifted and competition intensified. Sharp nevertheless expanded and redesigned the range for a second major generation beginning in 1979. This period brought more powerful receivers, new tuners and amplifiers, computer-controlled cassette decks, component furniture, matched systems and additional turntables. The SA-5901 and SA-5905 represented the upper end of the receiver line, while the SM-9005 integrated amplifier used Sharp's zero-switching direct-coupled circuitry. Optonica also introduced digital-control features and toroidal transformers as the company sought to make advanced equipment more compact and technically differentiated. Turntables were among the brand's most memorable products. The RP-7705 introduced an automatic program-location system that could identify and select a chosen track, while the RP-4705 offered a related design without that feature. Later equipment included the RP-9100 remote-control turntable and the RP-114VL BLST linear-tracking upright turntable, which could play both sides of a record automatically. The wider system catalog included the 9100 series of matched electronic components, with associated processors, amplifiers, tuners, tape units and speakers. Optonica's original high-end audio phase ended in 1982. Sharp revived the name in 1988 for a more varied premium electronics range that included stereo television receivers, portable cassette players and recorders, stereo Hi-Fi VCRs, voice-activated VCR remote controls and a limited number of surround-sound receivers. Later television products included 20-inch, 27-inch and 32-inch CRT models, while the video range included VHS and S-VHS machines. This second phase lasted only a few years, and Sharp discontinued the Optonica brand in 1991. Today, Optonica is principally remembered through vintage Sharp audio equipment, especially its large receivers, advanced turntables, cassette decks and unusual system components.

Sharp created Optonica in 1975 to establish a visible presence in the high-end audio market. At the time, premium Japanese and American manufacturers competed through large stereo receivers, separate amplifiers and tuners, sophisticated turntables, cassette decks and loudspeakers. Optonica was designed, manufactured and marketed by Sharp in Japan, but it was presented as a specialist label rather than simply another Sharp product series. The first generation centered on substantial analogue components. Receivers included the SA-2121, SA-3131, SA-4141 and SA-5151, with the SA-5151 occupying the top position in the initial receiver lineup. The equipment generally used silver-colored front panels, matching knobs and mechanical switches. Separate SM-series amplifiers and ST-series tuners followed the same design approach, while cassette players, recorders and speakers broadened the system offering. A limited designer-oriented variant used black front panels for selected tuner and amplifier models. The RP-3636 direct-drive turntable became one of the brand's best-known designs. Its unusually heavy construction used a Mikage granite compound developed for turntable applications, with the goal of reducing resonance and acoustic feedback. The unit weighed more than 35 pounds and has subsequently attracted attention from vintage-audio collectors. The SM-4646 amplifier illustrated a similar engineering philosophy. It used a four-gang volume attenuator, multiple power transformers, large main filter capacitors, low-noise FETs and separate power arrangements for its preamplifier, driver and output stages. In 1977, the Optonica series received a French Laurier d'Or award recognizing its functional design and performance. The award did not translate into strong sales, however, and the brand struggled to gain substantial market traction. Sharp introduced a second major Optonica generation in 1979. The receiver family expanded to include the SA-5101/5105, SA-5201/5205, SA-5401/5405, SA-5601/5605 and SA-5901/5905. The top models increased rated power and reduced distortion, while a feature on selected receivers allowed the radio section to be switched off so the unit could function purely as an amplifier. Sharp also added ST-4201/4205 tuners, SM-3201/3205 amplifiers, computer-controlled cassette decks and coordinated component cabinets. Some cassette products were also sold under Sharp branding. The early 1980s brought a shift from large analogue equipment toward digitally controlled and more compact systems. New tuners and amplifiers used toroidal transformers, and the SM-9005 promoted a zero-switching direct-coupled circuit design. Optonica continued to develop unusual turntables, including the RP-7705 with an automatic program-location device, the related RP-4705, the remote-operated RP-9100 and the upright RP-114VL BLST linear-tracking model capable of automatically playing both record sides. The 9100 system combined tape, tuning, timing and amplification functions with coordinated speakers and modernistic silver or bronze finishes. The range also included high-powered and technically distinctive equipment such as the SM-110H amplifier with freon cooling. The first Optonica audio program ended in 1982. Sharp later reused the name beginning in 1988 for premium-oriented stereo televisions, portable cassette products, VHS and S-VHS VCRs, voice-operated VCR remote controls and a limited selection of surround-sound receivers. Television models included 20-inch, 27-inch and 32-inch CRT sets. This second phase was comparatively short-lived, and Sharp discontinued Optonica in 1991. The brand is now chiefly associated with Sharp's ambitious late-1970s and early-1980s hi-fi hardware, particularly its receivers, amplifiers, cassette decks and innovative turntables.

• 1991

  Brand discontinued

  [1]Optonicaen.wikipedia.org

  Sharp withdraws the revived Optonica line and ends the brand.

• 1988

  Brand revived for home video and television

  [1]Optonicaen.wikipedia.org

  Sharp brings back Optonica for premium CRT televisions, cassette products, Hi-Fi VCRs, voice-activated remotes and selected surround receivers.

• 1982

  High-end audio line ends

  [1]Optonicaen.wikipedia.org

  Optonica ends its first phase as a dedicated high-fidelity audio competitor.

• 1980

  Automatic program-location turntables introduced

  [1]Optonicaen.wikipedia.org

  The RP-7705 adds an automatic program-location feature, while the brand expands its digital-control and computer-controlled audio equipment.

• 1979

  Second-generation product expansion

  [1]Optonicaen.wikipedia.org

  Sharp redesigns and broadens the Optonica range with new receivers, amplifiers, tuners, cassette decks, turntables and system furniture.

• 1977

  Laurier d'Or recognition

  [1]Optonicaen.wikipedia.org

  The Optonica line receives a French Laurier d'Or for function, design and performance.

• 1975

  Optonica is created by Sharp

  [1]Optonicaen.wikipedia.org

  Sharp launches Optonica as a high-end audio subdivision, introducing receivers, tuners, amplifiers, turntables, cassette products and speakers.

A Sharp premium and enthusiast-oriented electronics label focused first on high-fidelity audio separates and later on advanced home-video and television equipment.

• Hi-fi audio · 1975

  Stereo receivers

  Optonica receivers formed the core of the first and second-generation ranges. Early models such as the SA-2121 through SA-5151 used analogue circuitry and silver-faced controls. Later SA-5101/5105 through SA-5901/5905 models added higher output, black or silver finishes and features such as disabling the tuner section while retaining amplifier operation.

• Hi-fi audio · 1975

  Amplifiers and tuners

  The SM and ST families provided separate amplification and radio-tuning components. Models such as the SM-4646 emphasized elaborate power supplies and discrete circuitry, while later equipment introduced toroidal transformers, digital tuning and Sharp's zero-switching direct-coupled amplifier design.

• Hi-fi audio · 1975

  Turntables

  Turntables were among Optonica's most distinctive products. The RP-3636 used a heavy Mikage granite compound construction intended to control resonance. Later models added automatic program location, remote operation and linear tracking, culminating in advanced designs such as the RP-7705, RP-9100 and RP-114VL BLST.

• Recording equipment · 1975

  Cassette decks and recorders

  Optonica offered single and dual cassette machines, including large computer-controlled decks such as the RT-6501/6505 and RT-6905. Some products shared designs with Sharp-branded equipment, while later matched systems incorporated dedicated tape processors.

• Hi-fi audio · 1975

  Speakers and matched systems

  The speaker range included models such as the CP-5151 and CP-5151A, the latter adding circuit protection, as well as coordinated models for the 9100-series systems. Optonica also sold component cabinets, handles and other accessories intended to create complete premium installations.

• Home video · 1988

  Televisions and VCRs

  When Sharp revived Optonica in 1988, the brand moved beyond specialist audio into stereo CRT television receivers and VHS or S-VHS video equipment. The television range included 20-inch, 27-inch and 32-inch models, and the video line included Hi-Fi VCRs and voice-activated remote controls.

• 1988

  Reuse Optonica for premium home videoStrategy

  Background

  Sharp retained the name's premium association while shifting its product emphasis away from specialist audio.

  Action taken

  Optonica returned as a label for stereo CRT televisions, portable cassette products, Hi-Fi VCRs, voice-activated remotes and selected surround receivers.

  Aftermath

  The second phase lasted only several years and the brand was discontinued in 1991.

  Source

• 1982

  Withdraw from dedicated high-end audio competitionStrategy

  Background

  Despite technically ambitious products, Optonica had not achieved strong commercial performance in the specialist audio market.

  Action taken

  Sharp ended Optonica's first phase as a high-end hi-fi competitor.

  Aftermath

  The brand was later reused for premium television and home-video products beginning in 1988.

  Source

• 1979

  Expand and redesign the audio portfolioGeneration change

  Background

  Optonica needed a broader and more contemporary product range as the high-end audio market changed and competition intensified.

  Action taken

  Sharp introduced new receiver families, amplifiers, tuners, computer-controlled cassette decks, turntables, component cabinets and coordinated systems.

  Aftermath

  The second generation added technical and design differentiation, but the high-end audio phase ended in 1982.

  Source

• 1975

  Create a dedicated high-end audio labelStrategy

  Background

  Sharp sought to compete in the specialist hi-fi market alongside established Japanese and international audio manufacturers.

  Action taken

  The company created Optonica as a premium subdivision and developed a broad portfolio of receivers, separates, turntables, cassette products and speakers.

  Aftermath

  The label established a distinctive presence in enthusiast audio but did not achieve strong sales in France or other markets.

  Source

1. 1Optonicaen.wikipedia.org