CJ Walker

CJ Walker Origins

The CJ Walker audio company, manufacturer of turntables, was founded by Colin and Janet Walker, whose initials form the name “CJ”. The company was a small British corporation located in Frodsham, Cheshire. It specialized in producing high-quality mid-priced turntables that could perform nearly as well as higher-priced models.

Colin Walker previously worked as an importer and distributor for several audio brands, including Ariston, before starting his own turntable manufacturing business. The company’s first turntable model was the CJ-55, which was introduced in the early 1980s. The CJ-55 was known for its solid construction, mostly made from wood and wood composites, and featured a 4-point coil spring suspension on a novel rectangular-shaped frame sub-chassis. The platter of the CJ-55 was made from Tufnol, a material known for its durability and stability.

CJ Walker’s turntables were well-regarded by reviewers and enthusiasts for their quality and performance, despite being made from mostly wood and wood composites. The company’s products were sold by multiple dealers in the UK during the early 1980s.