Kinergetics Research

Kinergetics Research was an innovative American high-end audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1979 by Tony DiChiro and Ken Cowans, operating for 21 years until closure in August 2000 due to shrinking demand for high-quality two-channel audio. Originally established in 1971 as an R&D company specializing in cryogenic refrigerators and deep sea diving equipment for aerospace and undersea exploration industries, the company transitioned to consumer audio in 1979 and became a pioneering leader in digital audio technology. Based in California (Cerritos/Tarzana area), Kinergetics Research was renowned for producing some of the earliest and most respected audiophile-grade CD players including the legendary KCD-20 and KCD-40 models, with the KCD-40 achieving jitter figures 'seven times lower than anything else on the market.' The company pioneered parallel signal paths and parallel DACs for reduced noise and distortion, introduced the first DTS decoder, first digital 'auto detect' circuit, and first remote control with direct commands. Their product line expanded to include amplifiers, preamps, subwoofers, and surround-sound processors, with their patented KDP (hysteresis correction) circuit earning acclaim for 'extremely musical sounds.' Following closure, president Tony DiChiro became a consulting engineer developing digital processors for other manufacturers, while longtime technician Fred Pham handled repairs of existing KR products.