The Golden era of Japanese integrated amps, are we missing out?

@harrylavo, what Japanese tunes have you had the chance to listen to?

I like Yamaha and my dream tuner is the CT-7000. Sony also has a state of the art tuner, the ST-A7.  If you have a chance, you should look them up. 


Re:  "I have concluded that most folks who are in the Japanese super-tuner camp are there because of the very high sensitivity of some of those old tuners. But I've never seen a reason not to ultimately judge them the same way we do other components ...... how "real" do they sound. "

Tuners do not really have a sound...well not the sound that reaches your ears. A tuner (a radio receiver) is part of an audio system (integrated or not), that passes the "translated" radio waves into music via a series of preamps / amps, hence we would judge the front end of an audio system when talking about sound.

@kosst_amojan , true that! The jewels of these amplifiers are the best audio components of all times, as far as I am concerned...hence the associated high cost.

That said, I find it ludicrous even thinking of sacrificing one of my Yamaha B-1s or a Sony TAN-8550 or TA-N7 to attempt to come up with anything even close in terms sound and reliability....I am a super fan of Mr Pass designs, but still would not do something that crazy.

If you are looking to take a shot at some Pass V-fet designs, I suggest to take on something that leverages the Tokin devices. Those are still available if you look around a little.

Good Luck!

@uberwaltz,

here is an interesting review of a new vs old, similar integrates from same manufacturer (no affiliation)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jjAZz7NOK0

Hello, I live in Mexico City and I have an 8B marantz, with its pre 7t, and its turntable slt and everything is like new! I bought it without knowing how it was heard, just because I liked the way it looked, when I get home and connected it, wow! it is one of my favorite toys, I have it connected to a 19 altec lansing and that is at a very good level, compared to current good equipment... I can't believe the quality they made in that time.