Hi-Fi buying at Hard Off (Japanese hardware recycle store)
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2016
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Well, I had to make another trip to Hard Off today. this time I wanted to buy a small amp for my turn table. There's so much to choose from. We have high end and lwo end, big and small. So much choice. 
Игры
I will buy everything in that store :) Love how they have all of it shrink wrapped and clean and neat! Japanese people take care of their stuff!
nobody needs old crap.....
@@lucasrem That old crap is way better than all the new crap out there today.
I saw on Japanese tv that a foreigner started an online site so ppl. can buy Japanese i items and used also. One reason why it’s doing well is bc the Japanese take care of their items and in great condition. I’m half Japanese and raised in the IS since 7 years old and I’ve notice the Japanese to take care of their items and so have I , but not the same with many Americans.
I’ve bought vintage watches from eBay from Japan and after 30 years, they look just like new and works great. So the world os starting to take notice of how the Japanese take great care of their items and now Japan is a great place to get used items from. Especially the electronics bc much of it was made there and lots of inventory in the used market.
Love how they rap the hardware with plastic in Japan 😅
Really enjoy these vlogs from you in Japan 😄
These are the sort of shops I miss, because of the current situation 🇬🇧
I used to spend so much time dreaming to Crutchfield catalogs and Best Buy, American, and Circuit City ads as a kid. Watching this is making me miss those times.
Me too and love those ads and catalogs. Those were fun times being young and dreaming.
Everything is so clean and organized. I love this!
Welcome to Japan. A place were even the junk is organised.
That has to be the coolest stores I think I have ever seen.
I wish this shop is just a bus ride away, it's heaven!!
Yeah, I would absolutely love this. Even the things we do have here that are similar often gross me out or are a ripoff. I think I'd feel much more comfortable in Japan where things are just maybe smoke stained rather than sticky or downright nasty.
I just recently discovered the joy of electronic recycling centers. Was picking up an Extron switcher that I had bought off eBay from a local recycling center and decided to see what else they had in the back. Ended up picking up two Xbox One controllers, two clear green Xbox original S controllers, a complete original NES with two controllers and a fully functional original Nintendo DS all for less than $50. I haven't tested all of it yet but even if some of it doesn't work they're still really awesome to have for parts. The center and I ended up exchanging phone numbers so that they could give me tips on stuff they get into their inventory.
Everything is so clean and in good shape.
What a great looking store. I could spend a few hours looking round there! Nice little set up you ended up with too, that Technics turntable is lovely! It's something I'm after myself but UK/Ebay prices are a bit of a joke on Technics stuff.
Thanks, Jason. Yeah, I love looking at all the audio equipment in that store. I, like you spend hours just looking at stuff.
The Technics SL1300 has since made way for a Sony front loading turntable. The Technics did sound a little better but only a little. In fact, it's hard to notice most of the time. I made the change to the Sony so that I could save some space. You can see the Sony player in one of my record reviews such as Snatcher or Galaxy Force video.
Cool video Yakumo! And great find on that amp, nice bargain and looks terrific!
Thanks. It did need a good clean but after that it's as good as new.
Wow, wish we had stores like that in the States. Or maybe its a good thing, I'd be broke!!
If you go broke you can always sell your hi-fi to one of them stores. 😁
Sega Saturn just sitting there? Those would fly off the shelf in my town..
I love watching videos like this with my currency converter app open
I am dead , and this is heaven
Nope, you're not dead but this is kind of like heaven :)
Retro Core Niceee
Love these videos! Thank you!
Glad to hear that. I'll make more when I have a chance.
Wow, A Nakamichi Tape deck! very rare. The best tape decks ever made are Nakamichi ZX Dragon or ZX Computing, astoundingly good sound.
yes I agree. looks like vintage heaven. talk about pricey! nice setup.
I love Hard Off but yes, some stuff can be expensive but saying that, if you are in to restoration projects you can find some amazing deals in these places.
Cool video. Looks like my kind of store. I've been looking at white Saturns lately. A shame I can't find them so easily in a store like that. The PS2 slim looks great in white. I'd probably have done an impulse buy on it if I was there. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed it.
+ravagingwolverine yeah, you'd probably love this place if you are in to tech. By the way, I have one of those white PS2 slims :) really nice version of the PS2.
Nice job! I'm in Japan and I can't wait to check out Hard Off, Book Off, and Den Den Town. :) Take care, Sam.
Thanks for watching the video Sam. Do be prepared to see much higher prices in any store near Den Den Town. You should still be able to find a deal or two though.
Hell that store is well stocked with great stuff. I wish stores here had stuff like this. Love the japanese stuff.
I will lose all of my money in that store!!!!!!
I have many a time. It's a pure place of evil according to my wife :)
Looks far better than richer sounds for sure.
You and me both
@@RetroCore If your wife is anything like mine, she'll spend all her money on clothes, so it's fair game as far as I'm concerned!
very nice, would like to see more of these vids!
I don't get chance to visit stores that often these days but when I do I'd be happy to make some more videos.
So much cool stuff. And I guess prices are also great.
Yep, the prices are very reasonable.
what a lovely shop
Great amp, and that store looks nice! It looks to me like the Japanese take much better care of their stuff then we Americans do.
I'd say so. You only have to look at your typical Goodwill to see that :(
Oh yeah, Goodwill was my point of comparison.
seems like its mostly higher end models which would explain the greater care given to them
and that quintessential Japanese aesthetic of space efficiency would dictate not filling up space with junk
what a fascinating culture
This is heaven.
Perfect video 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Looks very pretty, we still have a Technics stereo vinyl set back from the 80s my dad bought then.
As long as it works and sounds good you should keep hold of it.
Retro Core
It's been siting there for a while, I have to put it to sound, it really sounded well back then.
Those prices!!!! So good
Love looking at these Hard Off videos Mark. Makes me want to head off to Japan and see all these goodies for myself.
Well done as always kind sir!
Anthony...
If you ever do come over, make sure to bring a suitcase of cash :)
Retro Core
My no.1 idea exactly.
Anthony..
I need to get to this store man!
That Luxman power amp was around 900 quid. I guess there aren't many casual buyers buying behemoth stuff for their small apartments, but this was stuff going for a song
Oh man! I miss that place!
Wow! Nice store with beautiful retro equipment, like it a lot. In the past I've had a Technics pre amp and power amp with VU on the power amp. Sounded beautiful and looks a lot like the Panasonic in your video. We all know that those 2 brands are from Matsushita company. Love those products. I also subscribed to your channel. I also use and buy older equipment. Friendly regards, Emiel
Hi Emiel,
Thanks for subscribing. While my channel is mostly about video games I do from time to time visit the old electronics stores. I have a real interest in the audio equipment. Video no so much as it's always terrible to watch these days.
Retro Core I know your channel is also about lot's of gaming. I'm a videogame lover too. Owned a lot consoles in my lifetime. On the moment playing Zelda Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch. My PlayStation 4 is collecting dust. Saw another video on your channel about a Japanese videogames store. Lovely to see it. They got lot's of stuff and sometimes cheap regarding your video. Keep up the good work!
Just love Tech, old and new. May invest in a new amp and speakers myself.
For the speakers I'm looking at a pair of ELAC Debut B6. In the US they are under 300 dollars but in Japan they are a stupidly high 550 dollars! I'm eyeing up a beautiful quality used pair for about 100 US dollars. They sound fantastic!
@@RetroCore I bought the Elac debut 6.2 for a special low price of $150.00 limited time. Now they are currently $299.00 Best Buy. Awesome sounding speaker designed well and for the price. Andrew Jones is a awesome designer and engineer. You will love these speakers if you already have bought them.
thanks for the video.
You're welcome.
Hi. This is Mangalmay Biswas from Kolkata, India. I have just now subscribed your channel.
I really like the stuff you have purchased from the store. I wish I could visit the store😁. I need a vintage power amplifier and a turn table.
Upload videos like this in future too.
I wish I had stores like that here in America.
I guess there are smaller version but it seems places like this only exist in Japan.
Hi! Could you please help me find a part of the CD/SACD Player MARANTZ SA-7S1. Or how to contact with the MARANTZ headquarters service in Japan? Thanks!
I've been importing Japanese hi-fi components and media for a couple years now. Sometimes the shipping costs can sting, but I can always rely on everything I get having had a very gentle life, being taken well taken care of for the entirety of three, four, and even five decades. I wish Westerners would take care of their belonging at least half as well.
Absolutely correct. Here in Japan, seeing something listed as junk mostly means it hasn't been tested but will most likely be just fine.
Same goes for all manner of electronics. In the 20 odd years I've lived here, I've only bought something completely dead twice. And I buy a lot of stuff.
In most cases if a repair is needed, it's quite a simple one or maybe the unit just needs a bit of a clean.
@@RetroCore It's always nice to have my observations confirmed by someone who knows better :) I'm very glad that RUclips recommended me your Lethal Enforcers video. I subscribed right away and I've had your videos on for the better part of the day. Best wishes to you and thank you for your excellent work.
Thanks for the positive words 👍
Does anybody knows is there any store like this here in US ? I've bought two used Aiwa stereo shelf systems from the free market near me a few years back. One of them stopped playing CD and cassettes in within a few weeks.I still like to buy an old Japanese stuff in the store like that so I able to testing before spent hundred of dollars. Thanks.
wish we had stores like this in the u.s.a
you do really good videos like watching.
Glad you like them!
Nothing but NOTHING beats old hifi, I used to work at a hifi shop in my teens, so I KNOW what I'm talking about
And you're modest too.
I used to live in Sasebo. I visited this shop a few times while touring Kitakyushu. They often had nice junk PC Engine and Sega Saturn games. I would kill to move back to Japan.
Sasebo? Were you living on the base down there? I've only been down that way once but I did enjoy it.
That place is the absolute fucking holy grail
It sure is. I live going there but also hate it because I come out with no money.
Sweet episode :-) 👍
Thanks!
I seriously want that Nak deck, not sure about that particular model but I imagine any Nak model would beat the Sony one I have.
Does all of those hifi can be used outside japan? As far i know japanese electricity is rare (100v)
Some have voltage selectors up to 240 volts but most are 100 to 110 volts 60htz.
Considering how much those TC-K333ESG cassette decks go for now, 7,500yen for that was an absolute steal
Compact Cassette, how mad are you?
CRAP HERE!!!!
@@lucasrem I am absolutely nuts
Japanese products are best in world.
Aaarv course.
Yes, they are! My father used to have very expensive Accuphase hifi (monoblocs etc) with high end German loudspeakers, solid electrolytic (!) silver cables, olala what a sound, it was really incredible!!!! I have an old and very fine Pioneer Blue line amp and a tangential Technics turntable and an old Denon CD + B&W. I hope to make enough money to buy some used Accuphase stuff. Incredible electronics!!! Respect to Japanese engineers and craftsmanship!!! Hello from Bohemia.
@Retro Core
Do they have an online store with international shipping?
Great video btw!
I'm afraid not.
What city and do you remember the name of the shop? Thank you.
You should have gotten the Panasonic.Perfect match for your Technics Turntable.
That would have been nice but spec wise the onkyo was better.
I no longer have the Technics turntable now. I sold it and replaced it with a front loading Sony deck.
Where is this Hard Off located?
Nice video very informative done watching new friend here
Those Technics ST-1 horn speakers at 2:37 on the top shelf are very rare and valuable in the US
Japan only models I guess? They've been in the store for ages. They're still there now. If Hard Off did overseas sales I bet they'd be gone by now.
I love to go there! :)
It's a lovely shop.
who needs this nerdy museum crap???
mad here!
Were they allow you to record video or you did it in low profile?
I'll do the same kind of video when I'm Japan later this week,any advice on how to make video without them ask me to leave.
My trip changed to Asahikawa instead.
I film undercover (low profile). I use an app called "background video recorder" that allows you to video while the phones screen shows another app running or nothing at all. The advantage to this is the shop staff think I'm either using another app such as Chrome or a spreadsheet viewer or nothing at all. The downside is that I have no idea what the camera is filming.
So they don't allow video recording inside then?
I'll give that app a try.
No. In most shops you can't video inside. Same for arcades as well. Some stores even have a no cameras sign on the entrance.
I just took a video of the store I gone through three different Hard Offs in Hokkaido.
One just out of the downtown area of Asahikawa another store Closest to Sapporo Terminal and another one in Eniwa.
Let's just say all three stores are pretty small "Hard Off" section are tiny while Off House simply dwarfed the rest of the store area.
I did find some great deal there I bought "Junk" Neo Geo CD with box cables and controllers for 4850 yen and two sports games for it for 800 yen each. (both NCD games came with spine cards too)
I tested it and it worked perfectly the console itself are actually in great condition.
Too bad I have to throw away package box since it would not fit in my luggage and is in banged up condition the only "Junk" looking part of this otherwise paid-to-steal amazing deal.
what Sony model you replaced that Technics SL-1300 MK2 with ?
Ah, I don't remember now. But that Sony finally died and has since been replaced with a rare-ish Technics table from the 80s. I did a video about that on my 2nd small channel, Retro Core AV.
@@RetroCore you mean that linear SL7 deck
Yes, that's the one.
Es el paraiso !!!.
Thank you for upload
I will check price ps3
Nice amp !!!
Thanks man. I'm really happy with the buy. It may not be the ultimate in Hi-Fi fedelity but it sure is better than a lot of the junk you see on sale these days.
Where is the shop located?
This is my dream
Hardware recycle store...... something the US desperately needs
Wow £35 that's cheap what a steal 👍👍👍
Nice stuff - the Quad 44/405 combo was way overpriced though, you could make a fortune importing those if that’s what they go for over there
Some of those prices are incredibly cheap, while a few things like the Quad 44/405 combo @ 1.58 are ridiculously expensive.
I guess it all depends upon the country youive and availability.
very lucky 🍀 you get to live in Japan 🗾 nice
Yes, there are many downsides to living in Japan but when it comes to tech and safety the plus points outweigh the negatives.
Pray tell!! I'm fascinated by those willing to take the plunge living abroad. What are the plus and minus of living in Japan?
Where is this located at
Hifi heaven 😇
I know there’s a lot of Hard Off in Japan but where is this particular one? Thanks
Shinshimonoseki in Yamaguchi Ken.
Thanks
Great vid :)
There is a hum in your audio in case you didn't know :)
Yep, I know about that. Started withing the past week. Not sure what is causing it. Hmm.....
I didn't know you lived in Japan, I thought you were there for your Hols?
No mate, I go to the UK for my hols :p
I've been in Japan for 19 years come this November.
Retro Core
Ah wow, that's amazing! I don't suppose theres any chance you could ever keep an eye out for some stuff for me at all? :D
Depends what it is really. Some stuff might be easier for me to find on yahoo auctions, especially PlayStation styff. There&s way too much crap to wade through that I don&t even bother for myself.
Retro Core
Haha, I'll have to try and remember what I was after, it's been so long :D
Oh, The Sega Ages: Monster World Collection on the PS2 is one that's evaded me for some time.
*****
Yeah, that can be bought. Best to contact me via a private message or Email.. My mail address is at the end of all my Battle of the Ports videos.
Una gran colección de productos de Calidad mundial... ..
I wanna go shopping spree there
That reel to reel deck will go for a good fortune on ebay but it's only 5,000 yen in Japan?
I'll make sure I'll check out one of these Hard-Off stores when I'm in Japan later this year.
I'll looking for some retro gaming in good prices there too.
Yep, stuff like that isn't too expensive here as there are many good conditioned machines available.
Where's this store in Japan again?
By the way I'll be arriving in Japan in December and staying in Niigata City and I found a Hard Off store close to where I'll stay so I'll go to that store and might a video out of that!
How to buy stuff in the glass display do you have to tell the staff?
And you can just pick up stuff on the shelve straight to cashier?
Panasonic vs Onkyo? I could tell right away whatnyou bought🤣
Great video, I always loved Japanese Hi-Fi, I've bought a lot over the years and now I've retired I've thought about maybe importing stuff from Japan and selling them in the UK, do you think this is feasible and if so do you have any hints/tips?
While it's possible to buy Hi-Fi equipment from the 80s fairly easy in Japan and for a cheap price it is going to cost a small fortune to ship it. You've also got the language problem unless you use a proxy service and then you'll be limited to yahoo auctions.
I'd say, if you have a contact in Japan who is willing to go shopping for you then is could be a profitable little side business.
Hi, thanks for replying so promptly and for supplying me with some good info. I think you are 100% correct when you say that I'd need a contact in Japan, would you be interested in being that person or do you know someone who would be interested? PS There would be no financial outlay from my contact in Japan as I would fund all purchases.
I'm afraid I can't help. I'm just too busy with work and life in general. I'm nit sure I could recommend anyone either as my friends are clueless about Hi-Fi equipment.
Hi, thanks again for your prompt response, I will continue looking for a "partner" in Japan, I know it's not going to be easy as I've been down this road before, buying and selling gold clubs from Japan, it was all going well until my contact over there left Japan, I tried to get another contact in Japan but I couldn't connect with the right person. Cheers and good luck for the future.
Sorry no that's not possible Japanese electronics operate on 100 volts 60 cycles the UK uses 240 volt 50 cycles.
where is the best place to get used Vinyl from Hard off.
Sorry, no idea. I never buy records for Hard Off. I get all of mine from local record stores or Yahoo Auctions.
Hi, were is this store located? I’m traveling to Tokyo next month.
It's about 600 miles away from Tokyo.
@@RetroCore were exactly? Maybe I can travel there
Shin-Shimonoseki in the Yamaguchi Prefecture. There loads of Hard Off stores in the Tokyo region though. Best to look on the Hard Off Web site.
what would u consider a decent pair of speakers for ur hook up, particularly?
Ah, that's easy. I'd go with a pair of ELAC Debut B6. Those sound fantastic for the price range.
A ZX7 for 40.000 yen is super cheap. Instant buy :)
Tell me again which Hard Off this is? Such a nice selection! Or if you don't want to tell me, I completely understand!
It's located in Shin-Shimonoseki which is in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Ken.
Retro Core Wow, dude. That's proper inaka! Maybe next time I visit Hiroshima I'll take a little day trip!
Yep, it's kind of Inaka but not too bad. Not living in a major city has some good advantages :) I'd never own my own house if I lived in a big city for sure.
Retro Core Oh, don't get me wrong. I think the Japanese "Inaka" is the best place to live. I would prefer that to being in the city, but work and wife had other priorities!
4:30 Panasonic model plz?
I would've picked up that Nakamichi Zx-7 and that Luxman M-5 in a heart beat! I would live buying on that store.
That's when you realize Ebay is too expensive. Ebay used to be an affordable place that people bought used stuff they needed at affordable proces, now it has turned into a business, full of scammers that want to sell junk that doesn't work for ridiculous prices!
I have never used Ebay in my life and hope to keep it that way.
I buy original Lps from all over the world AND ship them to North America for less than I can get the same Lps in a record shop..just saying..
may I know where is this exactly
ハードオフ 新下関店
1 Chome-9-25 Akine Nishimachi, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi-ken 751-0873
083-250-6500
maps.google.com/?cid=16672990145012331932
There you go.
location of store?
Related to Bookoff? They also sell tube amps in addition to books andCDs.
Yes, there's House Off, Hard Off, Garage Off, Book Off, Hobby Off and many others. They're all the same chain.
@@RetroCore I recognized the blue and yellow typeface which is the same across the stores.
Just need party boy!
how much does it cost to buy a gameboy advance in Japan to usd
Depends upon condition. A basic good looking unit without box would be about 1000 yen.
Feel like I've fallen into an episode of techmoan :D
Yep. He'd love this place.
Completely overlooked the Minidisc decks
Because I have 3 minidisc decks including a nice TEAC one that takes PC PS2 keyboards for typing the tracks on to Mini Discs.
@@RetroCore
They're are so brilliant arnt they...
I have a Sony MDLP Atrac deck and a Marantz deck also MDLP.
Minidisc was such a great format and still appreciated by so many.
Wonderful tech and engineering.
What an unusual name hard off? But nice electronics
That stuff is priced extremely reasonable. Serious question though, i was under the impression that Panasonic was an American or European label while in Japan it is called National/ Matsushita. I figured this since i always seen Japanese versions of Panasonic U.S stuff is labeled National. So whats the deal?
National is the brand used for household equipment. For example my fridge and light switches are National. Panasonic is the name used for mostly AV equipment such as TV, Audio, video etc. Same company though, Matsushita.
In the past though, say around the mid 90s and before, some cheaper AV equipment was labeled as National.
@@RetroCore ok that makes a little more sense to me thanks for the clarification👍
Where is this branch?
It's in Shinshimonoseki city, Yamaguchi Ken.
Tokuyama?
No, this was in Shin-Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefcture.
man i would have brought that teac tape deck myself or the nak