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7 Japanese Hi-Fi Brands Everyone Ignores (But Audiophiles Secretly Love!)

Pure HiFi

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Some of the best audio gear on the planet has been made by the same handful of Japanese companies for decades, and most people shopping today walk right past every single one of them. This video breaks down seven brands audiophiles quietly obsess over, from a 1962 cartridge maker most people file under budget headphones, to a company that started inside a picture frame shop in 1925 and has been building legendary amplifiers ever since. The badge on the magazine cover was never where the magic lived.

Keywords: Japanese hi-fi, audiophile brands, vintage audio, Audio-Technica, Fostex, Denon DL-103, phono cartridge, Technics SL-1200, Technics SL-1500C, Yamaha A-S series, Accuphase, Luxman, Luxman SQ-38, turntable brands, integrated amplifier, hi-fi history, vinyl record player, audiophile gear, high-end audio brands, underrated hi-fi companies

20 Comments

@vtec70 2 weeks ago

Just got my Accuphase this week 🎶

@wahid-lg1kk 2 weeks ago

I had Luxman amps in the 70s, there is nothing like the Luxman sound.

@eduardofs6620 7 days ago (edited)

Fostex was also famous for its multitrack recorders - classic audio devices that combine a mixer and a recorder to capture multiple sound sources on separate tracks.

@anthonykay5100 2 weeks ago

My Lux SQ65 integrated valve amp still sounding gorgeous. It has been capped replacing the electrolytic capacitors with decent foil caps

@nikosibarramante2677 12 days ago

I probably heard about Luxman but never seen or heard one. I have a Denon intergrated amp, an AT record player, a Yamaha piano, and looking for a Fostex speaker. Thanks for featuring these brands.

@philthomas8351 2 weeks ago

Have Yamaha and Denon amps. Would love a Luxman amp one day. Good information on this video. Thank you.

@NicolaPorrazzo-m9b 2 weeks ago

I own the Ariston Audio RD II s, it's more than 50 years old and still sounds great !

@juliuscernansky8095 8 days ago

Accuphase I❤love their phase invert switch!!

@wolf242. 2 weeks ago

i have Luxman 505ux, great amplifier

@NicolaPorrazzo-m9b 2 weeks ago

I own Ariston Audio RDIIs, Linn and Mirage, i am aware of Japanese brands, i also own Stax headphones and know that one of the best cartrage is the Denon DS103

@8418antonio 2 weeks ago

Accuphase ❤

@Ziko1962 2 weeks ago

my luxman cd player sounds awesome....so does my denon amp

@cirrus1964 2 weeks ago (edited)

As a 78 old former Audiophile music addict (I have for years what I looked for decades). The worse brand I ever had was Luxman. Overall, Japan does not make the best audio gear. The British do. Ps, The Luxman Laboratory Reference Series which had cost me 25K (1976!!!!!) broke down over 30 times. Worse it sounded terrible, as I bought it all on the name! For years I play with British tube amps, Latest the Audio Note Oto SE, not one problem ever for years now, and it sounds second to none!. Last but not least, a Dual 701 from Germany will outplay any Audio Technica.

@Julian-3568 2 weeks ago

Luxman es un magnífico fabricante pero no hay nada que justifique que esté por encima de Accuphase. Accuphase juega en otra liga en Japón, no porque no existan fabricantes que puedan fabricar equipos "mejores" sino por su filosofía de construcción y su consistencia desde su fundación.