At Vintage Japan HiFi, not only can you purchase fully restored vintage equipment from our collection, but you can also commission us to help you track down that elusive piece of audio gear you’ve been searching for.​ We charge a small service fee for sourcing, which varies based on the rarity of the item. 

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How to Purchase

Depending on the condition of the HiFi gear, there are a few options available:

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1. Purchase As Is

You can buy the equipment in its current condition—whether fully serviced, partially working, or even non-working. After our research, we’ll present the available options to you.

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Once you’ve agreed on the purchase, you’ll need to sign a simple endorsement /commissioning service letter to make it legally binding. Full 100% payment must be made upfront to secure the item. 

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We charge a 8% service fee, which covers purchasing on your behalf via our local banking services, as well as handling all communications with the Japanese seller (emails, phone calls, etc.) or managing the bidding process if the item is listed on Japan’s Yahoo Auction.​ Additional costs such as international bank transfers fees, currency conversion and domestic bank transfers fees to the local Japanese seller are included. Local Japan domestic transportation will be charged separately.

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2. Purchase with Full Maintenance Service

After purchasing, you can commission VintageJapanHiFi to perform a full maintenance or restoration service. Visit our Overhaul/Restoration section to learn more about this option. Once the service is completed, we’ll ship the gear to you directly from Japan. Depending on your location, you may need a step-down transformer to use the equipment. All import custom duties, shipping & handling fees are charged separately under the buyer's purview.

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3. Direct Purchase & Shipping

If the HiFi gear is already in good working condition with a service history and doesn’t need repairs, or if you’d rather handle restoration yourself, we’ll simply ship the unit to you once it’s purchased. It’s that easy!

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4. Sourcing Service Fees & Timeline

At VintageJapanHiFi, we charge a modest coordination fee of JPY 45,000 (approximately USD 290), which covers a sourcing period of 1–2 months. If additional time is required, a nominal continuation fee of JPY 20,000 (approximately USD 160) per month will apply to maintain the sourcing service.

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Please note that popular and commonly available equipment can usually be sourced within 1–2 months. However, rare or highly sought-after items may require a longer timeframe and, in some cases, a bit of luck. To date, we have successfully assisted audiophiles across Asia and Europe in sourcing a wide range of vintage equipment, including turntables, CD players, amplifiers and cassette decks.

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Important Note on Vintage Spare Parts

Sourcing specific vintage parts can be particularly challenging, as many components are no longer in production. In such cases, the only viable option may be to obtain parts from a donor unit of the same model. Please be aware that this approach carries inherent risks, as donor units may themselves be non-functional or require additional restoration.

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5. Post-Purchase Inspection, Testing & Shipping Process

Once the hi-fi unit is purchased and delivered to us, VintageJapanHiFi will conduct a thorough audio and functional test over approximately one week.

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If no abnormalities are detected in the audio playback or operation, we will record and upload audio test videos to a private Google Drive folder for your review and download, providing you with full transparency before shipment.

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In the event that any abnormalities or issues are identified, we will promptly liaise with the seller on your behalf. During this process, VintageJapanHiFi will act as a mediator between you and the local seller to help resolve the issue as smoothly as possible.

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Once the unit has passed all checks and is ready for dispatch, it will be professionally packed using a double-box method to ensure maximum protection during transit. We will then arrange international shipping to your destination. Please note that a basic handling and packing fee applies to all international shipments. For detailed information, kindly refer to our Shipping Policy.

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We always strive to provide transparent guidance and realistic expectations throughout the sourcing process.

 

We’re excited to help you find the perfect system—let’s talk!

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