In 1929, Isamu Ikeda was born in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

After the war, LPs replaced SPs and then stereo became the norm. Under such circumstances, Isamu Ikeda developed many historic, world-class cartridges and tonearms.

Ikeda worked for a company as leader of the development team. However, dissatisfied with the job, he decided to found his own business in 1964. This was the world famous Fidelity Research Inc. Since then its products have been welcomed by audiophiles and music fans all over the world. By the time the company released such systems as FR-7 and FR-64s in 1978, it had grown to be a world-class audio manufacturer. The company developed the world's first air-core quadrupole structure for FR-7 and obtained Japanese and United States patents. Fidelity Research has also been patronized by the Imperial Household Agency and its products are enjoyed by the Imperial Family.

However, unfortunately, Fidelity Research closed its business in 1985.

Nevertheless, Ikeda's enthusiasm for the revival of analogue records continued unabated. In the same year, he established Ikeda Sound Laboratories Company. For Ikeda, this company was a place where he was able to do things that had been impossible under mass production at Fidelity Research, that is, enhancing the precision of manufacturing, pursuing handmade production and experimenting with new ideas freely. Of course, all the products were designed, built and inspected by Isamu Ikeda himself. He also accomplished such feats as realizing air-core structure and developing the world's first MC cartridge without a cantilever, both of which had been his long-sought goals. As cutting heads used in manufacturing of analogue records have no cantilevers, he thought a MC cartridge without a cantilever could be created. Ikeda is a perfectionist. All Ikeda Labs. products, including those sold overseas, are repaired by Ikeda himself in Japan.

Ikeda even undertakes repairs on Fidelity Research products for which he is not responsible any longer. This shows well that he is the one to cherish Japanese traditional morals. Therefore, he repairs all the cartridges as long as there are cantilevers, and takes on painstaking work such as repairing rattling tonearms, at very low cost. Although Ikeda is not young any longer, he works hard from morning till night to develop new products, manufacture and repair the current range of IKEDA products, and repair the former Fidelity Research products. Moreover, he takes the time to provide thorough training for his apprentices. However, what is more surprising is his nonchalant attitude. He says, "If you want to imitate my products, you are welcome to do so." There hardly can be a greater audio developer than him in the world.