Grey amplifier Imports from Japan?


I have a feeling this has been discussed before, but I can't find the thread. I am leaning towards a Luxman or Accuphase SS, class A/B integrated. Something like the Luxman 507.

Looking online, the savings importing from Japan against buying locally, are enormous. There are clearly, real risks,, the loss of warranty support, having to use a transformer to change the voltage, which must have the potential to degrade the sound.. Against that, brands have a reputation for reliability.

If anyone has bought from one of the Japaneses sites, can they decribe their experience? Thanks
david12
This is all good information... I keep stalking the Japanese sites now with more confidence! So over the past few day i was actually able to find a gentleman in my area (SF bayarea) that was able to convert the power internally and he did it with no help from Accuphase, " Sorry but we cannot do voltage conversions due to liability problems" <this should be a whole other thread of why the hell Accuphase are the fun police?!>.  He Read the supply board, drew it's schematic and then verified on paper the change in the jumpers that would resulted in 120vac.  He even gave me a table of how to jump it back to 230vac if need be.