Upcoming Technics SP-10R (100th Anniversary Model)

Even if a local (Japan) 10R is set up for 100V, that is no problem at all. Good robust step down transformers for AC are very easy to find and very cheap. I already have two turntables at home, my L07D and my DP80, running off 115V to 100V step down transformers.  Interestingly, in this newly built apartment that we’ve rented for the duration, all the electrical outlets are 3-prong type, exactly the same as what we use in the US. No adapters needed.

SMPS. I guess you are referring to the fact that the 10R PS is an SMPS type and you’re assuming that an SMPS is per se a detriment. I don’t necessarily agree that it is. Anyway a comparison between Mk3 and 10R would be to assess overall sonics; any negative effect of the SMPS is subsumed in such a comparison.

A bigger concern would be the cost of shipping, unless I could carry it with me on board the plane. Judging from JP’s photos of his unit as packed, that might be awkward at best.

I visited Disc Union yesterday, major purveyors of new and used LPs, CDs, and DVDs. They are now spread out into 5 stores in the area of the Ochanomizu rail station. 8 or so years ago, they were all in one building that was about the size of any one of their stores, now. The hobby, especially the vinyl hobby, is definitely alive and well in Tokyo. I think I’d rather go home with a bag full of LPs than with a 10R. And a few new headshells.

Headshell recommendations, anyone? For both high and low compliance cartridges. Also, I note that mono cartridges are on prominent display in all stores.

Grace HS-6 Carbon Fiber headshell is another option. 

Wow.  Thanks for the recommendations. I too am interested in the Yamamoto CF headshell, but I did not see any Yamamoto products in any of the 3 high-end stores I have so far visited.  Today I did buy an Oyaide HS-CF, perhaps close to the Yamamoto.  I also bought an Ortofon LH8000, the wooden one.  I’ve heretofore been a cheapskate when it comes to headshells, so it’s about time I owned some good ones.  If I do see the Yammy CF, I’ll buy that too, providing it is not too expensive.  This despite the fact that I have misgivings about CF used in audio products; I generally have not liked the sonic signature which is too obvious to my ears.  This applies to one tonearm and a few speakers, so far.

This afternoon, I did see but not hear an Acoustic Sounds Axiom tonearm.  It seems to be beautifully engineered. Seems also that Dertonearm is behind a whole line of products under the business name Acoustic Audio, which sport an “aa” logo.  They’re all gorgeous to look at and very expensive.  I also saw but did not hear a Reed pivoted straight line tonearm that I did not know existed.  It looks to be very complex but nicely made.  Has anyone messed with it? NAndric?  The Axiom was mounted on a Feickert Blackbird tt.  Although I favor DD, the Blackbird looks to be very well designed to avoid or minimize belt creep.

Chakster, Is that Grace HS6 a current product or another piece of vintage art?

In the stores that had salesmen who spoke any English (a rarity), I inquired about pricing on the SP10R.  No one is willing to discount it at this point, because it is so new to them that many stores don’t even have one to sell.  The standard retail price in Japan must be the one I quoted in Yen, somewhere up this thread.