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
Hi,Dave_72

I purchased my First Luxman L-505U in 12/2006 from Audio Cubes. There was no USA distributor at that time. I wanted to buy Accuphase but the price was even higher. I sold that unit on Audiogon.
I was so impressed with Luxman i purchased two more Luxman both 507u. My brother wanted the 507U,Also CEC Class A amp from This mega store called Japanaudio that carries worlds top amps Like Accuphase/Luxman/McIntosh/Leben/CEC etc. Price was lot lower than Audio Cubes. Most of these amps i sold it on Audiogon.

Thanks
As a matter of interest, does anyone have any experience of the Accuphase E307. There is one for sale here. I imagine it is the predecessor of the E 350. I was wondering how it compared? Thanks
Hi Renjy,

Cool sounds good. I got your message and I replied. :D

Is Japanaudio reputable?
David, since you are living in Europe (I've read on your system page that you
are living in England) it should not be that difficult to find a demo model. For
example, in the Netherlands there are currently an E-350 and also an E-450
advertised by dealer on www.hifi.nl (look in the "tweedehands" section). Check
also www.audio-markt.de, (with a little patience) one can find pretty much
any Accuphase model on this site. Germany is the number one importer of
Accuphase units, they have great respect for Accuphase (which says a lot
about the brand).

Regarding the E-307 integrated, I would say it is a bit too old (10 years or so).
For a couple of hundreds more you should be able to get an E-308 (the
predecessor of E-350). However, since currently you are driving your speakers
with a small tube amp, I would advise you to go for an E-550. It has as much
power as the E-308 and E-350 integrated amps but sounds better and also
copes better with difficult loads. If you need/want more power then go for the
E-408 or E-450 (of these two I would pick up the first one).

Dave, not much will be achieve by calling Accuphase in Japan and complain
about their dutch dealer. My feeling is that the importers are required to
behave that way (I've understood that the German importer behaves similarly).
From their perspective Accuphase is not like any other brand and hence is not
for everyone. They will be polite with you (if you look decent) and just order
products without much concern for the price. This is usually the case
with most luxurious brands/shops. (Of course, dealers do not behave like
that, they are always happy to sell an Accuphase.)

Paul