TOKYO >> Sales of premium audio equipment that allows listeners to fully appreciate the rarefied quality of analog records have been experiencing a boom as a growing segment of music fans rediscovers a passion for high-fidelity sound.

In addition to a rise in the number of audiophiles who listen to music on such systems at home, a few new cafes are housing private booths equipped with record players.

Soji Nagase is one such audiophile. At his home in Moriya, Ibaraki Prefecture, the 65-year-old doctor has a soundproof listening room lined with speakers, amps and other audio equipment. A record player is a recent addition to his hi-fi line-up, he said.

Nagase began collecting vinyl records as a youth. His interest in the format was reignited this spring after attending a music event where organizers played records produced “direct-to-disc” — a recording method in which audio is recorded directly onto master discs.

“I was surprised by the range of sounds I was able to hear,” Nagase said. “When listening to (those discs) on high-end speakers, it’s as if the ceiling disappears.”

Nagase uses a premium speaker produced by U.S. audio maker JBL, from which the silky vocals of a chanteuse were so clear it sounded like the singer was singing directly in front of him.

“Buying needles is difficult and records aren’t cheap, but it’s worth the effort,” he said.

Panasonic revived its Technics audio brand in 2015, and responding to requests, it last year relaunched its premium SL-1000R record player, priced at 1.6 million yen (about $14,625).

The player features a sturdy aluminum housing, and its tonearm — to which the needle is attached — is made from lightweight, resilient magnesium.

“The enjoyable thing about analog (record players) is that you can customize the setup by changing the tonearm of the player or needle,” said Technics product manager Yasunao Uematsu. “We use the best materials and technology for those music fans who want to listen to audio of exceptional quality.”

Venues where music fans can listen to premium audio systems are also on the rise.

For instance, about 340 record sleeves adorn the walls of Billboard Cafe and Dining in the Tokyo Midtown Hibiya commercial complex, which opened in 2018. The cafe includes private rooms equipped with premium audio units.

“Audiophiles sometimes meet here to listen to records together,” said cafe manager Sachiko Tanabe.

According to cafe workers, since Tokyo Midtown also houses a movie theater, it often receives requests for songs featured in films. That was especially true last year during screenings of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” when staffers were repeatedly asked to play Queen songs.

But there’s another aspect of vinyl that draws fans.

“While record sleeves, like works of art, are beautiful to look at, they’re also becoming popular among people who appreciate their retro appeal,” Tanabe said.