Japanese Audio

Charles , you’re right: Zanden and Reimyo are very good to ! Wavac is somethings special. When I speak about turntables : the best ones I ever heard  ( with my best friend Tom) :Denon dp 100 m and the Kenwood L-07 D :what a sound !!!! And they are 40 years old ! 

@jkeitel
@charles1dad 

good discussion .....the responses seems to be focussed on "how small generally Japanese rooms are" and hence low powered amps and high efficiency speakers ..... this is not entirely correct IMO. 

A true audiophile and related music isn't enjoyed at rock concert volume levels. The fine details and the emotions of the artist and his / her music is never captured at such levels. The Japanese high end units are neither commercial production factories (mass produced) either ....you place an order and often you wait to get it handmade (at least part of it) upto 2 months or more ..... these high end tube amps are made to such  perfection and beauty that these units brings not just the pride of ownership but . They use the best components that employs technology derived not always out of science / engineering but decades of experience -  which invariably produces a sound signature you just fall in love with. 

I've owned several units - starting from the basic run of the mill amps to respected units from musical fidelity / naim / passlabs / firstwatt / luxman / accuphase and have auditioned several others. Currently I own the Takatsuki TAS01. They don't publish its output power - but the musical orgasm you get out of it cannot be explained in words. You just have to experience it. If you have a good DAC, then this unit doesn't even require a preamp - will comfortably drive speakers of 85db and lower in whatever level you want. My neighbour turned up our doorstep seriously angry while along with friends I tested its volume levels. To say 8 or 10w isnt powerful enough is such incorrect representation marketing employed by other SS manufacturers.  

The cultural element is definitely there - plus the technicians and people behind such a units - normally have been in the same industry and brand for decades I mean 30 or even 40 years .... the beautiful lows and sensual midrange and the dynamic highs - you could very enjoy these from a good low powered Japanese tube amp.

  

Japanese audio for me are the 70’s - 80’s (mostly direct drive but also belt drive) tables & 100+ watt amps of the giants of the era (Sony, Denon, Victor etc) or today (Accuphase, TAD etc).

@panchodxb,
You wrote,
A true audiophile and related music isn’t enjoyed at rock concert volume levels. The fine details and the emotions of the artist and his / her music is never captured at such levels

Actually this is how I listen to music (Moderate volume levels) the vast majority of the time, so I understand your point. Certainly this type of approach to music listening coupled with limited domestic space (And other cultural considerations mentioned above) would seem to favor low power amplifiers/efficient speakers. I do acknowledge however that some listeners do prefer louder "cranked up" volumes.

My audio system has been SET amplifier based nearly 12 Yeats and is the best sounding and emotionally engaging I’ve ever had. BTW congratulations on acquiring the Takatsuki TA 501 SET amplifier. I imagine it just sounds fabulous!
Charles

@charles1dad 

Limited space - yes a valid point.

The Takatsuki TAS01 ..... indeed a beautifully crafted unit and sounds magical. The term as you correctly said is “emotionally engaging “.  The unit made me move away from my much powerful and costlier SS units. If you get an opportunity you must audition it.

@panchodxb, 
I am a very happy owner of the Coincident Frankenstein 300b SET mono blocks for nearly 12 years. I have no doubt that your Takasuki 300b SET is an outstanding amplifier.  Perhaps one day I'll have an opportunity to hear one.
Charles