Quite a variety of responses to my inquiry. Warnings duly noted. The only one I’m really worried about is the transformer. I will want to buy something better than what the vendor proposed to send with my amp and preamp. When I spoke with George Meyer, the high end repair company in the LA area, I learned two important things. The first is that they will definitely repair my foreign bought gear should it be needed and are prepared to deal with the disparity in voltage. They also suggested some better transformers for the , several of which cost thousands. I’m prepared to deal with the lack of warranty and the reduced value of my imported gear if I should want to resell it, but I think selling it is very unlikely. As an elderly senior I’ll let my heirs worry about that!
eBay has some powerful buyer protection which helps.
Lastly, I find it rather unsettling that there is such a disparity in pricing between Japan and the US. That just shouldn’t be. I do feel somewhat guilty not supporting a brick and mortar audio dealer here in the US, but the cost of being guilt free is way more than I can afford. I wonder what accounts for the disparity? Is it the Japanese manufacturer? The US dealerships practicing a monopoly? I’d like to know.