ELP

ELP Origins

The origins of ELP Japan, a manufacturer of laser turntables, can be traced back to an American company named Finial Technologies, led by Michael Stoddard. In the mid-1980s, Stoddard designed a prototype unit for playing vinyl using laser technology. However, this coincided with the rise of the CD, leading to Finial Technologies going into receivership and selling the rights to ELP Japan in 1989. ELP Japan was started by Sanju Chiba and began developing and manufacturing the laser turntables based on the technology acquired from Finial Technologies. The company has been producing these unique devices since, offering a way to play vinyl records without physical contact, thus preserving the records and reducing wear and tear.