About Us

From Walkmans to Vintage Japan HiFi

 

Our journey as lifelong audiophiles began in the 1990s, when we were just teenagers with Aiwa Walkmans tucked in our pockets. We grew up on cassettes and LPs, then embraced the shiny new world of CDs — a format we still enjoy today (as you may have seen on our Instagram).

 

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to own and listen to some of the world’s most iconic HiFi brands: Audio Research, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, Pass Labs, Jadis, Burmester, Sonic Frontiers, Cary Audio, Krell, Thorens, Linn, Rega, Ortofon, B&W, Tannoy, Rogers, JBL and Thiel. Each of these experiences shaped how we understand and appreciate music — whether through glowing tubes or finely tuned solid-state amplifiers.

 

The Birth of VintageJapanHiFi (Fukuoka, Japan)

 

In 2017, we launched VintageJapanHiFi on Instagram to share our passion for Japanese audio with fellow enthusiasts. Living in Japan gave us direct access to the golden age of Japanese HiFi, and we quickly realized something important: Japan kept its very best equipment for its domestic market.

This discovery led us deep into the world of Japan Domestic Models (JDMs) — extraordinary pieces that never left Japan. Take the Sansui AU-919, well-known overseas. In Japan, however, it was only the first in the AU-D907 series, which evolved through six iterations between 1979 and 1985, culminating in the refined AU-D907X Decade (the D907G Extra being one of our favourites). While the early D907 was not a success, the later Decade became a true masterpiece — a story many overseas enthusiasts don’t know.

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We also learned why the AU-607 series sold more than the 707 or 907 in Japan: space. Post-war housing, compact city living, and cultural norms shaped how Japanese people enjoyed HiFi. Most only invested in serious systems later in life, often upon retirement. This explains why models like the AU-α607MR (Music Reference)and what does, AU-α607 NRA (New Reference Amplifier), AU-α607 NRA II, AU-α607 MOS Limited and AU-α607 MOS Premium became enduring favorites in Japan, yet remained virtually unknown abroad.

 

A Curated Collection

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Driven by this knowledge, we began curating a collection of legendary Japanese brands: Sansui, Pioneer, Trio/Kenwood, Accuphase, Marantz, Diatone, Luxman, Hitachi/Lo-D, A&D, Yamaha, Onkyo and TEAC. With each piece, we gained a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and sound that defined Japan’s golden era of HiFi.

 

By 2020, our Instagram community had grown beyond 10,000 followers. What started as sharing setups became a global space where enthusiasts connected over their shared passion for vintage Japanese HiFi.

 

The Influence of Jazz Kissa

 

You cannot talk about Japanese HiFi without mentioning Jazz Kissa — unique cafés dedicated to serious listening. Emerging in the late 1920s, they became sanctuaries where jazz was played on world-class systems, with vast vinyl collections curated by knowledgeable “masters.”

Conversation was discouraged, sometimes even forbidden, to preserve the music’s artistry. In these dimly lit spaces, patrons gathered not for chatter, but for pure listening. In Fukuoka, two standouts are JAB and Bar Heartsfield, both unforgettable examples of this cultural tradition.

For us, visiting Jazz Kissa has been more than an experience — it has been a classroom in how music and equipment can shape each other.

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Our Ikigai

 

Our ikigai (reason for being) is to help audiophiles navigate the world of vintage Japanese HiFi, providing access to authentic equipment and ensuring it is restored by true Takumi (匠) — Japanese master craftsmen whose skill, dedication, and artistry bring each piece back to life. By 2018, with our ikigai clear and our Takumi partners in place, we began sourcing HiFi gear for friends and fellow enthusiasts. Word spread quickly and we realized there was a real need for a trusted platform that combined access, authenticity, and expert restoration.

 

The Pandemic Pause

 

Then the world changed. The COVID-19 pandemic put our plans on hold. In May 2022, our original Instagram account was hacked and lost. Years of work disappeared overnight. But instead of giving up, we started again — launching VintageJapanHiFi_Real and rebuilding step by step.

 

Moving Forward

 

With this fresh start, we returned to our original dream: creating an online stereo store dedicated to Japanese HiFi. Today, that dream is alive. Social media has changed — Instagram now favors video and background music, making it harder to showcase the real sound of vintage HiFi. So we adapted. We expanded to YouTube and Facebook, where we can share authentic sound demos and connect more deeply with the community.

 

Now you know where to find us. We’re here to reconnect with old friends, welcome new ones and keep sharing the timeless joy of music. After all, that joy from Music is something worth living for.

 

With gratitude,

The Team

VintageJapanHiFi

Fukuoka, Autumn 2024