Fairchild

Fairchild Origins

The origins of Fairchild, a manufacturer of turntables and other audio equipment, can be traced back to 1931 when Sherman Fairchild founded the Fairchild Recording Equipment Company in Whitestone, New York. Sherman Fairchild, a businessman, investor, and inventor, had a passion for recording and established the company to help shape and develop opportunities in the emerging audio recording technology of the time.

In the subsequent years, Fairchild Recording Equipment Corporation began designing and manufacturing various audio products, including amplifiers, preamps, turntables, and controls. The company showcased its audio amplifiers, turntable motors, moving coil cartridges, tonearms, and professional devices for recording records at THE AUDIO FAIR in October 1950. Additionally, from 1953, the company also manufactured tape recorders and devices for the amateur sector.

One of the most notable products in the company’s history was the Fairchild 660 compressor and its two-channel version, the 670, both of which are highly sought after by collectors today. The original design of these compressors was created by Rein Narma, who was then hired as Chief Engineer of Fairchild by Sherman Fairchild.

Throughout its history, Fairchild has been known for its high-quality components and has played a significant role in the development of audio equipment, particularly in the realm of turntables and amplifiers.