Tube Amp Sleepaway Camp 2026
Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan — April 26–28, 2026
A beginner amp build and guided experience in English by Devon Turnbull. Presented by MJ Audio Technology, General Audio Trans, and as much of Akihabara as possible.
People ask me all the time where they can go in Akihabara to shop for parts and experience Japanese DIY audio culture. But inevitably, most of the time they don't know what to do once they've gotten there. You need a project!
The Amplifier
A simple 6BM8 amp by General Audio Trans, originally published in MJ as a beginner project. Under 5×12" (120×300mm). 2.7W. 18Hz–57kHz −1dB. 0.2% distortion.
What's Included
- ✔ Admission to the MJ Audio Festival on April 26
- ✔ Chassis designed by Devon Turnbull
- ✔ Meet at the Audio Festival to kick off the camp
- ✔ A map of important Akihabara audio and parts shops
- ✔ A series of vouchers to redeem at several shops to complete your kit
- ✔ Two nights of meetups at important jazz kissas
- ✔ April 27 — Meet up to bolt major parts together and talk about the project
- ✔ April 28 — Tour Akihabara and redeem your vouchers
Not Included
- ✗ Airfare
- ✗ Accommodations
You will likely solder up the circuit at home. We recommend leaving a day or two after the workshop in case we need a little more time.
The 8th MJ Audio Festival
Sunday, April 26, 2026
The 8th MJ Audio Festival will be held at the Sonpo Kaikan in Akihabara, Tokyo. The event will feature a full program including a Legend Listening Session, a Reader-Built Prototype Listening Session, presentations by regular MJ contributors, and demonstrations and product sales by exhibiting companies.
Event Overview
- Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
- Hours: 11:00–18:00 (doors open at 10:30)
- Venue: Sonpo Kaikan, Akihabara (2F, 4F, 5F)
- Admission: ¥2,000 (tax included) — includes pamphlet and original pin badge
- Students receive free admission with student ID
- No advance registration required — come directly to the venue
Legend Listening Sessions & MJ Contributors
- Classic Masterpieces Through Four New Power Amplifiers — Masaru Nagashima
- An Integrated 16cm Full-Range Stereo Speaker and a Collaboration Project with Masaru Nagashima — Takahisa Ozawa
- Listening to the Results of New Challenges — Kosuke Ueno
- From the Latest Technology to Classical Tubes — Yasuo Iwamura
- Two Large Single-Ended Power Amplifiers — Susumu Soya
- The Cultural History of Triode Amplifiers in America and a New Technology Presentation — Devon Turnbull
- Commemorating the Completion of the 100 Years of Speaker Technology Series: Tracing the History of Speakers Through Jazz — Tamon Saeki
- Record Playback with Two Dual-Cartridge Preamps and a DC High-Power Amplifier — Akihiko Kaneta
- Listening Session of a British Marconi DA60 Transformer-Drive Single-Ended Amplifier and a GEC DA42 Cathode-Choke-Drive Single-Ended Transmitting-Tube Amplifier — Masashi Yanagisawa
Exhibitors
AKINO
Escart
Aurorasound
OYAG Sound
Kita-Nihon Onkyo
Sun Audio
Tube Audio Lab
Mastaz Audio Project
Vacuum Tube Amp Chassis Workshop
Chuden
Fostex
Foster Electric
Infineon Technologies
Tokyo Electron Device
Fidelitatem Sound
47 Laboratory
TOA
Amtrans
San Diego Audio
Nice Company
and more