Purchasing from Japan

Hey, good information. I'm always thankful to have this community to tap into! The eBay seller is iseshima_japan. I went ahead and ordered it. He was quick to follow with a tracking number so I'm optimistic! 

I have purchased many CDs (Japan limited editions or higher-rez pressings than available here), all my Venus Records CDs and SACDs, a lot of other SACDs and more than half of my XRCD, XRCD2 and XRCD24s from Japan as well as Hong Kong. This has almost always been from 2-3 eBay sellers I have a long track record with.  Packaging and service are excellent and I've never had an issue.

I wouldn't be concerned with CD's, from Japan. However, if purchasing audio gear, you need to be sure it's not a Grey market component...All the risk is on the buyer. 

Well, it will be interesting to see how it goes. I think this IS a grey market item, the seller seems to specialize in a variety of expensive items, from watches to accurate scales to Japanese audio. But, all indications seems positive. I bought the phono module from an authorized U.S. dealer a couple days earlier. It will be instructive to see how the two compare in packaging and timeliness of delivery. 

By the way, I already have a good DAC and a pretty good phono stage, but am just so impressed with my new (used) E-470 that I felt compelled to complete the package. The noise floor of the integrated amp is so low that I'm going on a hunch that the two modules will be exceptionally quite too. I think my basic setup has real promise; Clearaudio Maestro v.2 cart, great (highly modded Rega) 'table, the Accuphase with phono board, and a pair of ATC SCM 19's.