The guy needs to unplug his fridge when he listens to music. Otherwise he will hear the noise of the fridge’s motor.

This person is retired. He has made his due and wants to indulge his passion before he dies... nothing wrong with that.

Hello Jay, As an Electric Utility Executive in the USA, I just wanted you to know that it is legal for a customer to request a dedicated electric service for their residence, as long they are willing to pay for it. The overhead electric power installation (like what is shown in the video) could cost up to $30,000 US, depending on the customer's power source. Underground service cost will be higher. As long as the gentlemen are happy, that is all what matters. One should be able to spend their hard earn cash on whatever they want to, even if we do not agree. It's their money!!!!

You should call this new series "Audiophile judging other audiophiles"

This guy is like: Even audiophiles are judging me!!

I'm sure that dudes setup sounds great....basically the worlds highest end nearfield listening room...oh, and if you want a fresh beer, the fridge is DIRECTLY behind the listening position.

We are all in shock because at some level we see ourselves in these Japanese audiophiles. lol at some point people around us had the same reactions seeing us going crazy on our systems.

There's tons of those guys in Japan with huge speakers (mostly vintage JBL) in small ass rooms. Second guy probably only listen at low volumes to not bother his neighbors.

His speakers are as big as the refrigerator!

"We have to step up our game. We are losing."

I really suggested you to have a audition or learn more before you make a judgement. First, these Reys 15” drivers (tad td-160x) does not boom, it does not have to be put far way from the back wall, he even modified the surround to increase the excursion (bass). Second, this tiny room is full of stuffs and these stuffs are best sound treatment. Cd positioned on the side to cover the windows and used as defusers, hanged big towels on fridge to make it behave as a absorber. His room is well thought out and had utilized everything. Btw, those are super tweeters, can’t believe you don’t even know what it is.

That’s it...I’m gonna have a Tesla Powerwall installed just to run my stereo off the purest power known to man!

They started by loving music, but they have fallen into the gear rabbit hole. I know because I kinda have too.

Those are the only cases we know, there are more extreme audiophiles there.

A former GF om mine said that if she had a turntable on her head maybe I'd pay more attention to her. I remarked....Wow how cool would that be? LOL

Can't bear to see the fridge sitting in the same room .. Imagine the hum when it cuts in.. 😃

Similar to photography, some people chase the gear rather than the craft and the picture.

To each his own. If that makes them happy then yeah😁

I lived in a 580 sq ft studio apartment for 17 years, so I could have my stereo which peaked at $32,000 at the time, while saving for a down payment on my house. Now I've got a 1084 sq ft house, and my main stereo's value is nearly what I paid for my home. Everyone's got priorities. I always compare myself to this guy, so I can feel "normal", haha. I have nice stereos in several rooms actually, and a 13 channel Dolby Atmos theater. Sometimes I think about downsizing, but not yet.

I’m actually more amused by your over reaction...

no different than rich people spending millions on paintings they might look at once a year. or owning 100 cars. or 30 homes.🤦🏻🤦🏻🤦🏻

The room is perhaps 50 percent of the set up. Big speakers in a small room is set up to underperform. The problem is a lack of understanding of room acoustics.

I think I’ve bought three new t shirts since I got into hi fi about 5 years ago lmao

Bigger rooms can give their own problems. The shape and surfaces of the room are usually more important.

"That is the most Asian thing you can say." LOL. As a Filipino I would have to agree with this 100%. Bahahahahahaha!

I love Japan and the Japanese. Their culture is still very much samurai. They will make sacrifices in daily life to excel at what they love.

This video will give Darren ideas on how to fix his power situation. :)

If he's living in a 250 sf apartment, then he's also sleeping in the room with the stereo and the kitchenette. As another old guy, I can relate to not caring about how old my clothes are. If you keep them clean, no problem. I still have and wear graphic t-shirts that are over 15 years old.

Jay in one of your comments on a video that you made few months ago you clearly said.. one of the best way to get clean power is to pay an electrician to instal a dedicated electric line used only to power your amplifier. It was a video that you posted on power conditioners.

I don't think that guy has his own power grid. I think that he has a dedicated line to his house from the grid.

Refridgeratic Diffusion is just so cool ??? Couldn’t help myself......

Totally OK with the rich retired guy. I suspect he’s right and that the sound from his system is improved by having clean electricity. At his age, I doubt that he can hear every nuance of the sound but so what. It’s more dignified than some 80-year old who rides around in a Lamborghini with a young escort in the passenger seat.

I remember seeing that video some time ago. Pretty obsessive isn't he? In lieu of having your own power grid, I know there are some audiophiles who take themselves OFF of the power grid by way of battery-operated systems. I think Ron (NRD) noted this when he and his brother visited Danny Richie of GR Research. Danny's system (as I recall) was off the power grid / battery operated.

The speakers are from Rey Audio - Kinoshita RM-6VC . They are 200Kgs or 440 pounds each and loaded with TAD drivers. They're made to order and the waiting list is not exactly short. They also don't sell retail. They're primarily commissioned for large studios. The finish on his speakers is also custom- my guess is Kenrick . They've reworked quite few Kinoshitas.

These guys are what we look like to non-audiophiles

Most cities distribute electricity at a much higher voltage than you get at the plug. In my country where its 220V at the plug the local grid runs at 440V. The cross country grid runs at 11000V. That's why you have substations for a neighbourhood, their role is to step down from 11000V to 440V. And then in the street in front of your house there's another smaller step-down transformer that brings it down to 220V and shares it across a few houses. Like maybe 5 - 10 houses. If you have a large complex like a condominium or a hotel or an apartment building you may have a step-down transformer dedicated to you. All the first guy did here was ask for a dedicated last mile step-down transformer. So no, on a technical level its not a big deal. Does it really make that much of a difference? All that matters is that he thinks so, right? I know people who will pull a separate line for their rig from the fusebox in their their home or apartment. I know one who did pull a line from the 440-220V stepdown unit in the basement of his condo with special permission. I just have a little conditioner for my rig because also, that's really all that my rig justifies. And personally, if I did have a better rig I still wouldn't do this; I would set up a solar powered system with batteries and good quality DC to AC inverter that I know is giving me a steady 220V 60Hz sine wave with no noise.

I believe the gentleman is correct, a dedicated power line is the best way to eliminate power conditioner, and noise from all the electrically driven appliances, computer, and othhouse generated noise!

This is like the audiophile edition of extreme Hoarders

People who do this at this level of madness give normal Audiophiles a bad name and a stigma that people just paint the whole hobby of loving and in joying great quality music like this

THIS GUY IS MY HERO!!

this guy is awesome. he has found happiness.

You're right Jay, they may be TAD equipped Kinoshita monitors. Also the dedicated transformer and service drop is a great idea. Any degree of isolation from the grid is a step in the right direction.

With hifi , everybody is right and everybody is wrong. What may be strange to us is normal for someone else. This Japanese audiophile is enjoying himself and that is all that counts.

As for the power. I'm sure is $10's of thousands to get that done. Maybe $50k to have your own transformer and the pole. Plus install. But, you also have to ask yourself. Did he go full copper on the wire from the transformer to the house? Did he do full copper from the panel to the outlets? Did he treat the copper by nitro/cryo freezing it, then melting it then freezing it again and then installing it? Cause, then.. Then it's good enough to power the gear.

When audiophiles laugh at you for being an audiophile, something is really wrong.

@Jay, the quote about the blood isn’t that bad. Lots of people do no realise how important noise free electricity is for music. It’s the difference between a harsh sounding recording with flat soundstage vs almost analog sound, voices with a soul, emotional involving sound.

He's enjoying his life his way God bless him. Its no different that a young fella living in the same apartment with the overpriced Fast and Furious Nissan parked outside

@Jey, The first audiophile didn't buy a power grid, He simply bought a utility pole with a transformer dedicated to him only. That transformer will break the 10KV or 11KV to 110VAC. He is not sharing it with anybody else , maybe to filter EMI ...etc

Thanks, Jay.​ I​ agree​ with​ your​ comments.​

THAT is why the reason to live to them...

Dude, DC battery power way outperforms AC power! Cheaper to set up also! Using inverters from battery source! And, some available amplifiers operate on DC, not AC.

New underware would make his frig compressor quieter.........This Works...

Seems like a super high performance car lover who doesn't want to spend money on a house so he can buy a Lamborghini. He buys the Lamborghini, but lives in a tent, and doesn't won't to drive his precious car on public streets with all its potholes so he builds his own little drive way that goes only around his tent. Everyday he drives his super Lamborghini around and around his tiny little driveway around his tiny little tent! Then again, he may be the happiest person earth!

I just installed solar system for my house, and added two dedicated power lines to my stereo room. One of my reward for going green!

2 of my friends have multiple,600+ headphones (sundura and the abyss diana) and have more friends that spend tens of thousands spent on audio gear. I only have spent 4,000 in the last little bit. I only eat potato soup and other cheap food to cover my expenses.

In Canada at least, you can just move to an area with no utilities and the power company will gladly charge you put up transmission lines & transformers. You will need 3 mortgages though.

"The most important part of your sound is the room." The room: so tiny that there's a fridge crammed behind him and every square inch is covered. Edit: you got to it in the video. Exactly.

I was wondering when you were finally going to see this video. I definitely need to hook up the electrical pole straight to my home as well!

I'm going to listen to music now. Refrigerator compressor goes brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

I feel bad for the guy who lives in the tiny apartment A tiny home is one thing A tiny apartment where you have to move the couch to get into your fridge is another The old man with his own power seems like he can actually afford what he's doing. Better that than a power conditioner

Yes it sure is ... " Its A Mad Mad Mad Mad World " indeed . These people appear have more money than common sense and i think they are a bit overly obsessed with the hobby . Possibly just a bit unwell too .

9:38 Seeing that guy's kitchen gave me a clinical depression.

Glad people like this gentleman exists--those that go to the extremes. So I know where my place is.

Very interesting. With just a few shots is not easy to understand their full set ups. They look like older folks that already have put their time and now are giving themselves the pleasure of running their favorite rigs at home. That is awesome. I am very glad to see high end stuff ending on the hands of people that appreciate it, side to side with a collection of music that is as impressive

I mean... a fridge right behind the couch is a good idea

cluttered rooms are great for sound deadening 😁 .

I can understand about the power transformer. There is a Audio Store in town actually did that. He has his own transformer dedicated to his store. But I am not so sure about the guy with the super big 100K speakers. I don't assume gets any kind of sound stage. I am not sure if he can turn up the volume.

My favourite audio channel now!

Jay, there was a short documentary on KZfaq about extreme audiophiles in Athens. There was one fellow who also had a separate power line for his system. And also a great scene where one audiophile reveals the cost of his system in front of his wife. I believe parts of it can be found on the Athens Audiophile Society page. I will search for the entire documentary.

Happy​ Birthday, Jay!

A lot of interference comes from the electricity supply. That’s why your hifi will sound better late at night. The optimum power supply is probably a very large battery which gives very pure electricity.

He prefers listening near-field with $100 000 speakers. Why not? It's his money. I admire these two Japanese guys for making choices that suit THEM!

Mad hatters 🤪 no need to feel guilty in front of my wife anymore.

You don't need room to get good sound. You can listen in near field

100k speakers in a studio flat!Thats what i call proper ignorance!

Now go lookup the video ‘The Audiophile Club of Athens’ by Ken Barnes. It’s on Vimeo.

Next to refrigerator is kitchen. ( I live in Tokyo. )

Your advice regarding upgrading your space/room being the biggest upgrade is most certainly correct & wise. But some well known audio reviewers apparently are not aware of this, or just don't care because their listening areas are terrible.

This might be me when I get older 😂

So true that the room is so critical to the listening experience.

I agree with you, we need to step up our game! I have an audio buddy who is almost in that situation, he has a utility pole all to himself and 2 neighbors, and never has issues with poor electric grid. He's close second. :) I have 7 dedicated 20A lines installed in the house with AWG10 wiring (capacity for 25A) for stereo. What a whimpy attempt compared to your own utility pole :).

Look, the old wise man is happy. All that counts. We should not judge other people setups unless you actually sit and listen to their system. A Big room can also introduce problems. Otherwise I enjoy your work but there is no way I can prove what you are saying other than mimic your room and buy the product to test my self. So your work is good entertainment. Thanks.

I bet is sounds amazing!! That room looks heavily dampened with carpetings and all of his stuff. I imagine sitting in between two huge speakers in a small dead room sounds incredible. You never have to push anything very hard since you don't need very much volume. It's probably like listening on the worlds best headphones. That said I agree that this guy is more obsessed over the pursuit of "perfect sound" than he is about music. But who knows maybe he's out there digging through record stores for gems.

The second guy's home is his man cave. Beer and food are right behind his audio throne. I have shirts that were worn a few times and look worse than his. Wonder what secret he has to make them last that long. Wait... They won't fit me after two years. I don't need them to last. 😁

There are many roads that lead to personal truth. Those who find it are very lucky...

Meanwhile I have $300 max this year to spend on Maxwell's for audiophile sound lmao

I'm Not gonna judge. He's content so leave him be.

Happy birthday Jay!

Wait he had a power pole installed??? Got to love the Japanese culture. They have that natural perfectionist attitude. The homes they build is just nuts the tolerances those builders use make all other home developers look like child play. Japanese racers and tuners take things to the extreme.

Cleanest power you can have is separate power source from batteries.

I’ve seen that video a long time ago and totally agree on prioritizing and proper speaker and room size.

Prime example of when headphones should be his best friend.

Maybe someone should tell him the fridge is giving a nasty reflection from the rear.

Nice to see you are uploading frequent videos.

Speakers are REY Audio RM7 with TAD drivers.

Happy birthday!

120 million people live in Japan. So two eccentrics? We can live with that. At least it's not a gun collection.

Some of this is a bit mad yes, but i find it highly Ironic that your making fun of someone for having an entire new power line run in, which is kinda the ultimate thing you could possibly do in terms of power provision, yet it's something you've previously recommended in a video after discussing NAIM systems in a shop that "collapsed" when you plugged it straight into the wall.

another crazy audiophile..welcome to the club lol🤣🤣🤣

Great show Jay. In my travels this is quite common. Or due too space these people simply go with BOSE systems. I have 2000 feet with Axiom M80s😁😀