Exotic Horns & Tubes- Moryiama & Machida Style!

[ddk]

Japan is a country rich with culture, traditions and beauty and naturally high end in Japan followed their hear, even if it’s based on Western technology. Many of us are familiar or at least heard of some of their best creators and respect as some of the best in the world. The high end community there is similarly Japanese in their values. I believe the people we meet and few dear friends we make because of our passion is what makes high end so very special. On my very recent trip to Japan I met two very passionate audiophiles, Moriyama San & Machida San! I want to thank them for their generosity and friendship and share a little of my experience with friends here.

Machida San, is a custom audio designer with years of experience and several patents under the belt. His system is made up of his own electronics and a speaker designed with WE components & horns which Moriyama San also adopted for his home system.


Machida designed speakers made with WE & EV components.


Grease bearing Gararrd 301 with Machida's special plinth and platter made from solid Japanese oak.



Machida designed phono above with various custom RIAA curves and of course what's a system without music, a couple of Machida's 78's that we listened too.





A short video of this special system.

david

 

[ddk]

Moriyama San is a very special kind of audiophile, a sensitive soul with sensibility for the natural world that guides him in life, work and of course his pursuit of high end. The gallery and home where he creates and shares his art with the world are located in a serene mountain setting near Fukuoka. In the gallery hangs his now world famous open baffle horn speakers made from single solid piece of centuries old African wood which took him over a decade to finish.



Below it standing tall, very tall is a pair of horn speakers with each section out of a single piece of solid wood also built by Moriyama.





And of course such speakers can only be driven with a pair of very custom amps. Tubes if I recall are STC 4212 transmission tubes



and a short video;

david

 

[ddk]

Coming to an entrance like this you know you’re in for a special treat, Moryiama’s home and personal listening room. The speakers and electronics are all Machida designed fronted with a pair of very rare Epson idlers. The horns are all original WE as are the woofers in this case.


As soon as you enter the room one is treated with a pair of very rare Epson Teragaki idlers !






david

 

[ddk]

Mr. Moriyama uses the same Machida design phono with various custom RIAA curves.



Speakers are made from hard wood and all original & NOS WE drivers & horns also designed by Machida San.



and a little video,

david

 

[ddk]

We went back to the gallery again for some tea and a quick listen where we ended the day with the most beautiful music courtesy of Machida San before heading out to a late dinner.

Machida San (white hair) & Moriyama San.



I heard Casals's Song of the Birds in many performances but not this performance introduced by Machida San and never with this kind of emotion. His words and his playing to the world is the most moving recording I have heard in my life...

Touching Casals' soul through his words and haunting cello over this amazing system was the perfect finale to this special day.



david

 

[bonzo75]

Lol this is just wow. Look at the wood and the woofer on top. Just wow

Are the WE divers 555?

 

[ddk]

Lol this is just wow. Look at the wood and the woofer on top. Just wow

Are the WE divers 555?

Don't know I was too mesmerized to ask ! Will let you know later.

david

 

[microstrip]

Impressive system, David. Can I ask you what is this other turntable, also shown in your video? It looked familiar ...

 

[ddk]

Impressive system, David. Can I ask you what is this other turntable, also shown in your video? It looked familiar ...

Unknown, something like the American Sound made locally in Fukuoka. It's air floating system is different as is the mass, wasn't setup so I didn't get to hear it.

david

 

[pcosta]

Japan is a country rich with culture, traditions and beauty and naturally high end in Japan followed their hear, even if it’s based on Western technology. Many of us are familiar or at least heard of some of their best creators and respect as some of the best in the world. The high end community there is similarly Japanese in their values. I believe the people we meet and few dear friends we make because of our passion is what makes high end so very special. On my very recent trip to Japan I met two very passionate audiophiles, Moriyama San & Machida San! I want to thank them for their generosity and friendship and share a little of my experience with friends here.

Machida San, is a custom audio designer with years of experience and several patents under the belt. His system is made up of his own electronics and a speaker designed with WE components & horns which Moriyama San also adopted for his home system.

View attachment 34557
Machida designed speakers made with WE & EV components.

View attachment 34558
Grease bearing Gararrd 301 with Machida's special plinth and platter made from solid Japanese oak.

View attachment 34559

Machida designed phono above with various custom RIAA curves and of course what's a system without music, a couple of Machida's 78's that we listened too.

View attachment 34560

View attachment 34561

A short video of this special system.

david

That was awesome. I spot a American Sound table there.
What music were you guys playing in that video.

 

[Steve williams]

what a fabulous trip that must have been David

 

[DaveC]

Wow, thanks for posting! Looks like some amazing gear.

 

[ddk]

That was awesome. I spot a American Sound table there.
What music were you guys playing in that video.

No it's not an AS and he doesn't know the brand, he got it from a from. It wasn't set up so I didn't get to hear it but it has a different float system.

We played a lot of things but I think this is the music in the video



david

 

[RogerD]

Transcendental! Thanks for posting David.

 

[flez007]

Planning a trip to Japan!

 

[LL21]

Planning a trip to Japan!

great! when?

 

[Folsom]

So did you like any of the speakers in particular? I think everyone looking is curious about having a listen. Did you learn anything particular aside from having a good time?

 

[jazdoc]

Wow! Thanks for sharing

 

[Nevillekapadia]

David, have you ever visited Mikami san's house in Yokosuka?

 

[ddk]

David, have you ever visited Mikami san's house in Yokosuka?

I was there several years ago in '06 Neville, Mikami San's collection is a very different thing he probably has the entire history of who's who of high end & professional audio in his house. Everything in mint condition with all related period electronics, his collection is deep and curated better than any museum that I know of, truly amazing.




david