All Japanese system

Here's a start, there's an Air Tight ATC-3 tubed preamp on here for $1400 and an Accuphase A-20V Class A solid state amp for $2250 that would make a great amplification core to the system. Then how about a pair of Yamaha NS-1000M beryllium dome speakers for $1250. That's $4850. We could add a cd player from say accuphase for around $2K and then cheap out on cables, but I can't get you an analog system for that budget as well. Fun exercise thought thanks!

Thanks! I guess my problem is knowing which components are not only Japanese, but "Japanese sounding" (whatever that means) ;)

I know that a lot of Japanese enthusiasts like the big, old-school Tannoys w/the pulp concentric drivers. These might cost you a good bit themselves.

If you ask a Japanese person about what sound they like, they may well answer: McIntosh and Tannoy!

Aball, don't forget JBL, Altec, Marantz, and other fine vintage gears.