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Living in Japan. Any opinions on amplifiers?

Living here I figured I would be in audio heaven but it seems like Japan falls in love with certain brands and ignores others. Since I need to buy something here 100V I’m wondering if any of you have an idea of underrated/overlooked value products currently in production. I know this sounds like a lame question and that I should do research but my Japanese still sucks and I thought there might be a few of you who are familiar with what is available here now. I have looked at vintage Luxman and there are a lot available but I thought a current production amp would be more practical and utilized modern technology Ie streaming etc. 
128x128todd_segal
boomerbillone
355 posts
 
Try to find an amp with switchable line voltage. When I was there, most amps could take 100,110,120, 220 volts. That way you can bring it home when you come back to the USA.
skyscraper
829 posts
 
If you were to look for vintage Luxman I remember reading somewhere at some point they did outsource some manufacturing to China, but then discontinued that practice. You are fortunate to have access to their and Accuphase's new products at Japanese prices. Some importers will sell you Accuphase or Luxman products in the U.S. at Japanese prices but the company voids the warranty on these gray market items. If I remember correctly Accuphase will only honor warranties on products they do the voltage changes on themselves. Good to remember if you move to the states. 

Mike

soonewewen
4 posts
 
If you are open to pre-owned equipment, hifido.co.jp might have some interesting amps. I have bought some vintage speaker parts from them for shipping overseas and the service has always been  good.ed.
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Luxman and accuphase are good japanese choices as well as old vintage pieces from kenwood, pioneer, yamaha, and sansui.
schwantner
42 posts
 
Go to Yodobashi if you are into the mid level to semi high end. They have KEF, FOCAL LEVEL, McIntosh, Yamaha, Stax, high end cable, etc. They carry a  lot. Sure there are some they don't and probably won't spend over 20K on speakers, but they have a good selection. And if is a trip just buying high quality gear and grabbing a good bottle of Scotch at the same time. 
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