Nakamichi to Intro Tube Amp; 10 Inch Radios

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Nakamichi names Michigan rep

Nakamichi announced it will offer a “retro” tube amplifier for car audio.  It expects to ship the product around March bearing tubes in the preamp stage of the 6-channel amplifier.

Additionally, Nakamichi will show at CES in January working samples of radios with 9- and 10-inch floating screens.  They include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and use a single DIN short chassis.  Currently, Nakamichi is working with several U.S. based companies for kitting and factory integration.

The original Nakamichi Japan is providing guidelines and helping with development of the new amplifier and some products, according to Kiyokazu Igarashi, President Nakamichi Japan, who attended the Nakamichi Car Audio booth at the recent SEMA Show.

The N60t uses 12AX7 tubes– the same found in Fender guitar amplifiers.   The tubes provide a “warmer” sound, said Nakamichi Car Audio National Sales Manager Robin McNeal.

Power output of the N60t is 6×100 watts into 4-ohms and 6×150 watts into 2-ohms. The N60t is intended as a flagship statement piece at a price to be announced.

CORRECTION:

CEoutlook stated earlier that Petra, a national distributor, is partnering with Nakamichi. However, we have learned that Petra is handling the Nakamichi Car Audio line only for the Southwest territory comprising the states of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.  It will also provide fulfillment to online retailers that have not yet been named.
Other Nakamichi distributors thus far include Shiflet & Dickson in the Carolinas, Altron International in Michigan, BESTCO in Georgia and Eastern Tennessee, and Broadway Audio & Video in Houston.  Still other distributors are expected to be announced.
The brand said it is looking for a selective direct relationship with car audio dealers in each metro market.  “I’m not looking to sign up everyone in the world, or put on a bunch of distributors and call it a day.  We want to develop dealers in the market, but being based in Miami, there’s going to be a need for some distributors for product availability,” said McNeal.
Nakamichi Car Audio launched in the US in July after a long absence of the once much revered Nakamichi brand in the 12 volt market. The products are distributed by Diplomat Trading of Florida and licensed from a Chinese company.
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9 Comments

  1. Who is going to be the rep in the Southeast? If you haven’t picked one let me know. We were the Nak rep on the last go around.

  2. The Butler amp was very nice. I owned 1. The tubes run at low % and can last indefinitely at low temperatures. It sounds awesome. Go Nakamichi. Bring the Name back to respect !

    1. He said it because maybe he has lost all excitement and not willing to tell the consumer why they should buy a tube amplifier. ( HI-Res is really trending now) Never say no for the customer. They know how to say it all by themselves. Lets all watch and see if Nakamichi will keep it clean, if not then they will become another wanna be brand, and anyone that cares about margin will never give it an chance. If they decide to allow themselves to be whored out, I suspect they will fail again. Well that’s my opinion and thoughts. Stay excited and Ride With The Music!

    1. Gary, our tube amplifiers will employ vacuum tubes in the preamp stage only. Butler has some patented designs that remain unique to them.

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