Help a noob go shopping in Akihabara

[Bigjppop]

Alright... I've finally succumbed to the siren song of the DIY world and am going to try my hand at my own little Single-ended tube amp. I've purchased the following board:

Simple SE

and am ready to dive in (almost).

Anyway, I know this is not a Headphone amp but I hope you'll still be patient with me on a couple of general questions. I'm trying to get setup over at DIYaudio.com (where I found this project) but its taking forever for the moderators to get me online...

My problem/blessing is that I'm living in Tokyo and am planning on doing some shopping in Akihabara tomorrow; unfortunately, I speak zero Japanese. So, on a side note, if anyone can recommend some Gaijin friendly shops in Akihabara for those of us that haven't mastered the language, that would be greatly appreciated. I'd also love to hear any recommendations for shops where I can listen to some cool tube gear via speakers (I know, blaspheme around these parts

). Anyway, moving on...

So, first question; I've read that its possible to find power transformers that will allow me to easily switch from 110v to 220v/240v, is that true? I live on a military base here so we have 110 at home, but I'm going to be moving to Berlin next year and will be using the local power grid. I'd like me little project to be easily convertible. Everything I've read says the transformers make the biggest difference in sound quality for a single-ended amp so I plan to buy something pretty decent. Anyone here have any thoughts? Edcor, Electra-print, and James are often recommended at DIYaudio but I'd love more suggestions. Also, since I am in Japan and have heard good things about Japanese transformers, can anyone recommend any to look at?

Next question; I'd like to try some cap rolling in this thing (never tried it but DIY allows easy experiments) and everyone says the coupling cap is the place to start. In this amp, that's a .22uF 450V cap. I'm a total noob when it comes to this stuff, but as I understand it, I can use any cap that has .22uF capacitance as long as it is at least 450V. Is that correct? The .22uF needs to stay the same, but the 450V part can go higher. Now, for the other caps in the design, is there any benefit to replacing them with better quality parts? Now lastly, resistors. I've never heard/read anyone talking about upgrading resistors (which in and of itself is amazing) so I'm assuming a resistor, is a resistor, is a resistor... Correct?

So, thanks in advance for any help you can offer and I'll get back to scouring the DIY archives for more info. DIY, when you fall... you fall hard.

 

[pabbi1]

Pete Millett can help you out a bit...

 

[Bigjppop]

AWESOME... it doesn't get any better than that! Thanks for the link.

 

[Tomo]

Electronics Hotspots in Akihabara

Once you get off at Akihabara, search for the exit that takes you to the west side of the station. This is fairly easy as you can simply follow the geeks and the costume playing fools. If you are heading to Yodobashi Camera, that exit is wrong so head to the other exit.

At the exit, you have option of head out south (left) or north(right). You want to go out south (left). Head west toward the large busy street and you will see some duty frees. Wonder around and you will see a walkway going under the trains / rails. This location is marked “I” on the map.

Here, stores are allocated in an ordered grid pattern along side of branching walkways. Take heed that there is a stairway up. There is a second floor. The complex is fairly extensive so you can take a good hour exploring here. Items: Tubes, Connectors, Semiconductors, Tools, Cables / Wires, Small pipes, etc. Esoteric parts: Moderate (Probability).

Get back out south in front of the station, again. You should be seeing “II”. This one is hard to find, as it is clustered with appliances and Anime stores. You are looking for a narrow escalator leading up. This is conspicuous and you should be able to see it without going into stores.

[II] This complex is fairly sparsely populated and not all are electronics related. You will observe many are Anime / ***** related. 3-5th floor should have audio and electronics related stuff. Don’t get discouraged by weirdness in the complex. Items: Audio specific electronics, semiconductors, cables. Esoteric parts: High. (But may be too esoteric.)

Now get across the large cross-section toward west. Use the large pedestrian crossing right under the train / rails. You should be able to follow the rails. Here you will find “III” on your right (north). Immediately observable is a store that is selling tools. You should be able to walk into this building through very narrow walkways.

[III] This place is packed from basement to the top, and so it has old/dirty-but-working escalators. Check em all out. I think this is a fun place, but kinda hard to find stuff, because you really need to know what you are buying because they stock them in cabinets so you can’t really handle it to see closely. But if you do, you can practically get anything you need. Items, Chassis, semiconductors, wires, connectors, batteries, etc. Esoteric parts: High.

Keep going west along the rails. You will immediately get to Kentucky Fried Chicken. Here you turn left and you get to “IV”, turn right to get to “V” and “VI”.

[IV] This place has a parts store and few audiophile stores. Items are too esoteric for me. But it’s a fun place to visit.

[V] This is my main hang out. Keep an eye out to a used electronics shop. This marks this small backstreet. A good half dozen big electronics parts stores. Parts are fairly generic so you can go through and figure things out on your own. You might have problems finding esoterics parts, however. Item: Everything. Esoteric parts: Moderate – Low.

[VI] Here you will find a tool store. Soldering iron related and more. You can see and touch so I like this store.

“VIII” isn’t all that difficult to find once you figure out the small backstreet that leads to it. Find the vending machine grouping. Then find the outdoor store. Weird in Akihabara. I think there is a linux café right next to it.

[VIII] Here you will find Marutsu Denki. You probably saw the same store in “V” but this one is the main branch. This store is easy to navigate and is most helpful to noobs like us. I like it a lot primarily because of ease of shoppe. I think they may be able to speak some English. Items: Everything. Esoteric parts: Low.

Get out to the large street to the east and keep going north. You will see Wakamatsu Musen. It’s a tall thin building. There is an elevator, but you might need to climb upstairs.

[VII] 4-6th floor. Covering anything audio electronics related. You can get kits (amp / speaker / etc). This place is really cramped, but it has everything. If you get stressed out, you go to the audio floor and drool over their amps and speakers. I highly recommend this, but they don’t speak English. Nonetheless, it is a must-visit place at least. Also, they have sale items on the top floor. Items: Everything. Esoteric parts: High.

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Here you go. Enjoy Tokyo touring.

T

 

[KONAKONA]

Don't forget to pick up some good doujins while you are out!

 

[Tomo]

Doujins?

Try p o r n. I say this because much of these areas are clustered with slightly shady stores. Don't be discouraged by it. It is one of very tradionally Japanese thing. Hey don't look at me that way. We are Japanese and we can't help ourselves.

 

[phangtonpower]

I live in Fukui and was wondering if you find any good tube shops, if you can maybe send me some my way??? Haven't found anything out here in the countryside...
Onegaishimasu

 

[KONAKONA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Doujins? Try p o r n.

You can get non 18+ doujins, shesh.

 

[Tomo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by phangtonpower /img/forum/go_quote.gif I live in Fukui and was wondering if you find any good tube shops, if you can maybe send me some my way??? Haven't found anything out here in the countryside... Onegaishimasu

I am a solid state dude and don't know much but, ...

I, III, and VII.

There is an old geezer sitting on a chair in a dusty store on the first floor surrounded by tubes and tube boxes.

[III] Go to the top floor with escalator. The north corner store has some stock.

[III] Also, Go to the next building. The store all the way back is stacked with tubes.

[VII] Wakamatsu isn't the best place, but they may know where to get whatever you need.

I am sure there are more.

T

 

[Tomo]

Argh.

May be I get pictures on those stores, huh?

T

 

[Bigjppop]

Tomo:

Glad you posted that map/explanation here as well. Between your stuff and the Pete Millet stuff, any Gaijin should be able to find whatever they want. Thanks for putting in the time!

 

[Currawong]

Tomo, thanks for the write-up. I'll print it out next time I'm going to Tokyo. Unfortunately I've only found one good electronics store in Fukuoka.

 

[jonclancy]

TNT Audio did a great Akiba Tour article in 2002. The original map link was broken, but I hunted it down and sent the new link in. I've used it on a few visits to Akiba, and it works very well. Most of the time I went to Kajin Musen and Oyaide - both great shops. With the Yen so strong, prices are probably a bit eye-watering now. Sadly, Kajin Musen have run out of the Black Gate values I was after, but they have a good selection of other audio grade caps, resistors and whatnot.

Hope this helps!

Akihabara [English]

Jon

 

[Bigjppop]

So I just returned from a full day of exploring in Akihabara and I must say, I'm beat! The combination of me being a Noob to DIY stuff, not speaking any Japanese, and the heat and humidity of Tokyo summer has taken its toll.

Anyway, I have to say, when all is said and done buying online is WAY easier/cheaper. Especially for a rookie. I don't know why I thought I might find some good deals because EVERYTHING is more expensive here than in the States. You'd think I would have caught on having lived here for three years!

So... Thanks for your suggestions/thoughts. Even though I didn't have much success shopping, I had a lot of fun anyway.

Oh yeah, Yodabashi in Akihabara is AMAZING! I've been to several other ones around the city and I thought they were pretty cool. Go to the big one, you could spend an entire day just in that one spot.

 

[nattonrice]

If you've already been to akiba a number of times and have always visited the well knowen stores then I reccomend just randomly wandering some of the back alleys.
Sometimes you find some really cool little places off the ``beaten'' track so to speak ^^