Japanese Audio

Omega Speaker systems, Omega Speaker Systems from Norwalk Connecticut all speakers between 94.5dB and 98dB efficiency, and are actually reasonably priced.

While social and architectural comments are somewhat true, it’s also because SET (low level) amplifiers paired with efficient speakers is an inward meditative listening experience where all artistic musical nuances get absorbed. This is important in Asian culture. 

@scchengmus

while i see your point, i don’t think you mean to say that this healing, peaceful, nuanced, meditative listening REQUIRES high efficiency speakers and low powered se tube amps... i suspect other formulae for high fidelity music reproduction just might also allow this, should the listener desire ... 😉

@jjss49  I’m no way did I mean REQUIRE. I was trying to convey that the way of listening spawned a category of suitable devices to be manufactured and used. 

Regarding SE Triode amplifiers in Japan, it may be traced to a guy named Jean Hiraga who discovered the WE 300B while living in France then conveyed its magic in a magazine article in Japan.  This was 1973.   Later in the decade and into the early 80s, a flurry of single ended triode amplifiers appeared in Japan.  Some were based on Westrex 91A (designed by Western Electric) amplifiers using 300B triodes.

Read Eric Barbour's article "History Of The WE300B And Its Relatives" in Vacuum Tube Valley (begins on page 8) about the history of the Western Electric 300B and how it spread to Japanese audiophiles.

http://www.jumpjet.info/Pioneering-Wireless/eMagazines/VTV/VTV03.pdf