Our Man in Japan - JP

The title is a tribute to James May's series on Amazon Prime. I've been a fan of this classically trained musician turned TV presenter, author, and journalist since his Top Gear UK days.👍

However, this blog entry isn't about cars, reverse engineering or fine wine. It's about the other man in Japan.😄

JP in Akihabara

The man is John Piro. Right before the COVID-19 outbreak, he chronicled the Japanese audio hobby scene to share with us. This came as a timely follow-up to my Tokyo adventure almost half a decade ago.

Tokyo Radio Department Store

JP's view of the basement from the escalator in early 2020

As I saw it in late 2015

The former Noguchi stall in the basement is now occupied by General Transformer Sales Co. Ltd or Gtrans. Based on this, we can conclude that Power Max is the transformer manufacturer formerly represented by Noguchi and now distributed by Gtrans.

Gtrans still has speakers and amplifier kits but the inventory is not as extensive as it was before

Finemet and regular type Power Max transformers are still available but less models are stocked. Most Finemet models are now made to order.

The auto-former volume control at the bottom shelf reminds me of a Teramoto I wired for a friend.

Much less Hashimoto models, only a handful of old stock Tamura and no more Tango

But there's some good news. The recently reorganized ISO (ex-Tango ISO) transformer company is distributed stateside by TubeUSA.

Take note, Gtrans is only open Tuesday - Saturday

 Another source of transformers across the street from Tokyo Radio Department Store under the rail road tracks is Kasuga Wireless.

Kasuga Wireless has their own line and can also supply any Hashimoto model within a day's notice.

I still have a pair of KA6625ST OPTs waiting for an amp project. 😊

More audio stores in Akihabara

JP's Jazz Kissa adventures

Jazz-Spot Yamatoya

 

Shibuya Swing

HMV 157 gramophone in the middle

Western Electric 22 horn + Eltus TA 4181 woofer inside the WE753 style cabinet

RCA Theater Amps 

But according to their website they also use an Eltus custom modified Altec 1567 preamp + Altec 1569A power amp

Turntable: RCA 70D

Tonearm + Cartridge: Eltus modified Western Electric 5A + 9A

   

Left: Western Electric WE555 field-coil compression driver
Middle: Field Coil Power Supply
Right: Eltus 596 field coil super tweeter

JP's Souvenirs

Thanks JP for the virtual tour! Glad you and Patricia got home safe!🍻