News

Pro-Ject's Heinz Lichtenegger Buys Musical Fidelity

Michael Fremer  |  May 27, 2018

There's never been an official press release about Pro-Ject's purchase of Musical Fidelity from owner Antony Michaelson so this site has held off reporting it until it could be confirmed. Last week, while at the EISA Global Press Convention in Antwerp, Belgium, AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer had an opportunity to speak with Pro-Ject CEO Heinz Lichtenegger about the Musical Fidelity purchase.

In case you are wondering what exactly is EISA: it stands for "European Imaging and Sound Association". It was founded over 35 years ago by a few European photography magazine editors and has grown to incorporate audio, video and home theater.

At this annual event editors of the many European photography, audio and audio/video magazines gather and are given four days of non-stop new product demonstrations. The journalists then get review samples to test of these not yet released products and based upon their experience vote for their favorites. Perhaps you've seen the blue EISA logo on some products you've bought. That's how it got there.

Elected two years ago, the current EISA president Paul Miller, editor of British hi-fi magazine Hi-Fi News and head of AVTech the UK based group that purchased Stereophile, Sound & Vision, Shutterbug and the various associated websites including AnalogPlanet achieved a mandate to take EISA global. New EISA members now include Australian Hi-Fi and Sound+Image from Australia, Smart Photography from India, Canada-based website Soundstage! alongside our very own Stereophile and Sound & Vision. magazines.

Stereophile editor John Atkinson was unable to attend so I went. I will be posting videos of the event (other than of products demoed that are under embargo). After Mr. Lichtenegger gave a two hour presentation of Pro-Ject's upcoming analog and digital products I had a chance to ask him about the Musical Fidelity purchase.

COMMENTS
Yorkshirefoxy's picture
Submitted by Yorkshirefoxy on Mon, 2018-05-28 03:07

This is indeed good news. Unlike other purchases or amalgamations such as Quad and Wharfedale into IAG. I believe Project will be great custodians of Musical Fidelity. I would urge them to think about making more of the high-end products in the UK. Will those currently employed in the UK still have jobs there or are the jobs going to transferred to Austria. Whilst I understand that low cost Hi-Fi has to be made in Taiwan etc. Please ensure that manufacturing is retained in the UK.

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Mon, 2018-05-28 09:13
Was pretty much shut down a few years ago....
lja1's picture
Submitted by lja1 on Mon, 2018-08-13 01:43

The UK operation was storage and service as manufacturing was moved to the far East many years ago.

The plan is to ensure that the current range is available, add a few key, and exciting models by the end of 2018 with a view to building the pedigree of the brand over the coming years.

The UK distribution is now handled by Henley Audio who have increased their headcount and knowledge base to ensure a smooth transition. The short term net effect on UK employment has been minimal with a very bright future.

X