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Living in Japan. Any opinions on amplifiers?

Living here I figured I would be in audio heaven but it seems like Japan falls in love with certain brands and ignores others. Since I need to buy something here 100V I’m wondering if any of you have an idea of underrated/overlooked value products currently in production. I know this sounds like a lame question and that I should do research but my Japanese still sucks and I thought there might be a few of you who are familiar with what is available here now. I have looked at vintage Luxman and there are a lot available but I thought a current production amp would be more practical and utilized modern technology Ie streaming etc. 
128x128todd_segal
sounds_real_audio
1,013 posts
 
If I were lucky enough to be in your shoes I would look for a locally built tube amplifier. Japan has been the heart of low power amps. Speaking for myself I would avoid the big brands that build a ton of amps, spend a ton on marketing and advertising and look for an artist. There are some " listening bars "  there where people have a drink and just listen to music. I think if you look on youtube and type that in you will find what I am talking about. Those cafe owners are true music lovers and should know a lot about what is available. Here are a couple here. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQXQAYdncbM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8yQFCU-rbM


 
todd_segal's avatar
todd_segal OP
13 posts
 
sounds_real_audio Thanks yes many bars here have excellent systems although I have only been to a few where the actual sound was like a listening room. Tannoys are pretty standard in fact I’ve never been to a place that didn’t have a really large tannoy. I think many men open bars in Japan just to listen to their music system😃 and that’s not a joke!
sounds_real_audio
1,013 posts
 
You probably have a small room like most in Japan....so I have no doubt...Do you have speakers and a source yet? 

sounds_real_audio
1,013 posts
 
I love those little guys that design amplifiers and only sell a few. I had a shop with tube amps. El 34  Kt 88 6C33 otl's and single ended 845's, The 300B's would be my choice. The 845's had problems with the transformer, They must be pretty large. Not a fan of the 211 sounds thin. Air tight was ok not special. 
An example of tube gear I like is the deHavilland. http://dehavillandhifi.com/
I used to do shows with them. Rocky Mountain Audio Fest.. so much fun and we killed it. Many of the reviews on the dehavilland website are from the RMAF
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