Audio Note Kondo IO-XP cartridge

[Birdwatcher]

Unfortunately I cannot read anything about the new Kondo cartridge.
Nobody uses it in his system?
Any listening experiences and comparisons to other excellent Japanese cartridges like Koetsu stonebody, MSL signature platinum, Air Tight, Sumile, Etsuro, Phasemation 2000 or 5000?

Thanks a lot for any input.

 

[mtemur]

I heard io-xp a couple times. If you don’t have a full Kondo setup especially the matching SFz SUT going with MSL or Air Tight makes more sense IMHO.

 

[byrdparis]

Unfortunately I cannot read anything about the new Kondo cartridge.
Nobody uses it in his system?
Any listening experiences and comparisons to other excellent Japanese cartridges like Koetsu stonebody, MSL signature platinum, Air Tight, Sumile, Etsuro, Phasemation 2000 or 5000?

Thanks a lot for any input.

IMHO its one of the most magical and superb cartridge you can buy.
i have a lot of CR's in my collection and the Kondo IO-XP always bring joy and something special to the table (pun intended)
sure you have to consider a perfect match SUT or phono stage for it.

A

 

[Birdwatcher]

Byrdparis, is there a kind of magic, that you don’t find with Etsuro Gold and Sumile? Do you like the IO-XP even without matching SFz SUT (at least i don’t find it in your list of gear) more and even “more magical” than your other really outstanding cartridges?
But maybe you can have very good results with CH P1+X1, as Gian60 reported many years ago too, when he had compared Kondo to CH….

I don’t have actually the Kondo environment, but would start this journey with IO-XP and SFz, later with some of the better Kondo MM phono stages, integrated in my otherwise all Zanden Classic system.
But maybe it is a too big investment, and I should instead look for ”normal”, not so special and “it’s-own-surrounding-demanding” cartridge?

 

[byrdparis]

Byrdparis, is there a kind of magic, that you don’t find with Etsuro Gold and Sumile? Do you like the IO-XP even without matching SFz SUT (at least i don’t find it in your list of gear) more and even “more magical” than your other really outstanding cartridges?
But maybe you can have very good results with CH P1+X1, as Gian60 reported many years ago too, when he had compared Kondo to CH….

I don’t have actually the Kondo environment, but would start this journey with IO-XP and SFz, later with some of the better Kondo MM phono stages, integrated in my otherwise all Zanden Classic system.
But maybe it is a too big investment, and I should instead look for ”normal”, not so special and “it’s-own-surrounding-demanding” cartridge?

its probably have some different kind of bloom you can get from the Kondo, its has like a uniq drive and paise to it... don't get me wrong the sumile, the gold or the RS are amazing. also my AIDAS GOLD and everything else, i am using my RS at the moment almost exclusive!
but it also need a very delicate choice of Phono stage and impedance to sound just right. they are all top live CR so in the end, if you have like a really good phono stage and some SUT you can play with a lot of them 99% of the time.

yes, i'm using at the moment the P1 (and with the RS with a SUT from CSPORT).... so a lot of different CR are working with zero problem
the kondo works perfect with my P1. but some ppl like the SFZ more connecting to the MM inputs vs the current input... its a matter of taste and system i guess (music taste also...? )
i am waiting for my Aries Cerat new phono stage. it will have two dedicated SUT inside of him... i guess one will be fit to the kondo specs
and one for the RS.... (but they will fits others with the ability to change impadance very easily ... and i have more on hand. not to mentioned the CHP P1 that will always be here.

 

[mtemur]

Do you like the IO-XP even without matching SFz SUT (at least i don’t find it in your list of gear) more and even “more magical” than your other really outstanding cartridges?
But maybe you can have very good results with CH P1+X1, as Gian60 reported many years ago too, when he had compared Kondo to CH….

I compared CH X1+P1 combo against Kondo SFz+MM phono. I did it two times with different Kondo and CH units at different setups. Cartridge was Kondo IO-M and top ZYX. Kondo combo was significantly better in terms of musical enjoyment, fullness and dynamics. Both owners of X1+P1 combos sold theirs immediately and switched to Kondo. Both setups were all Kondo with Ongaku. Maybe it played a part at the final decision.

I don’t have enough experience with IO-XP. I heard it at local distributor a couple of times and at Kondo factory but I listened now-discontinued IO-M thousands of hours. It is a very nice cartridge. The most important Kondo piece is not the cartridge, it’s the SFz SUT and second is MM phono. IMHO get a SFz especially the one with 1ohm, 3ohm and 40ohm and use it whatever cartridge you want.

 

[bonzo75]

I compared CH X1+P1 combo against Kondo SFz+MM phono. I did it two times with different Kondo and CH units at different setups. Cartridge was Kondo IO-M and top ZYX. Kondo combo was significantly better in terms of musical enjoyment, fullness and dynamics. Both owners of X1+P1 combos sold theirs immediately and switched to Kondo. Both setups were all Kondo with Ongaku. Maybe it played a part at the final decision.

I don’t have enough experience with IO-XP. I heard it at local distributor a couple of times and at Kondo factory but I listened now-discontinued IO-M thousands of hours. It is a very nice cartridge. The most important Kondo piece is not the cartridge, it’s the SFz SUT and second is MM phono. IMHO get a SFz especially the one with 1ohm, 3ohm and 40ohm and use it whatever cartridge you want.

I think this is more of a choice between many good SS vs good valve phonos.

 

[Birdwatcher]

Who could compared the IO-M and IO-XP cartridges?
I have the IO-XP with actual SFz and GE10i and hesitate, if an IO-M would show something different and interesting to be worth to have it beneath the IO-XP.
My other cartridges now are Dynavector XV-1t and Roksan Shiraz (an EMT indeed).
But maybe something different like MSL, Phasemation, etc. would be more interesting than two slightly different Kondo cartridges…

 

[mtemur]

Who could compared the IO-M and IO-XP cartridges?
I have the IO-XP with actual SFz and GE10i and hesitate, if an IO-M would show something different and interesting to be worth to have it beneath the IO-XP.
My other cartridges now are Dynavector XV-1t and Roksan Shiraz (an EMT indeed).
But maybe something different like MSL, Phasemation, etc. would be more interesting than two slightly different Kondo cartridges…

In my honest opinion and experience, the Kondo IO-M is livelier and more detailed, with greater airiness in the top end. The IO-XP, on the other hand, has a stronger low end but less air up top, and it leans a bit warmer overall. Personally, I prefer the IO-M — I can live with its extra top-end energy and compensate for it if needed. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If I can locate the files, I’ll post them here for comparison.

I also strongly recommend the Lyra Atlas Lambda SL paired with the Kondo SFz (1.5 ohm input) and the Kondo GE-10i. In my honest opinion and experience, nothing — no other SUT or phono stage — comes close to the performance of SFz-GE-10 combination. On top of that the Lyra is an outstanding cartridge, and while the SL version is ideal, the non-SL version, along with options from TechDAS, AirTight, and MSL, are all excellent as well. These are all 1.5 ohm cartridges (except the non-SL Lyra) and match very well with the SFz. I’ve personally heard these combinations. The output may be a bit high in those cases, which is why the SL version of the Lyra is a particularly good match, aside from its beautiful sonic character. Naturally, all cabling in this setup should be Kondo silver to get the most out of it.

 

[Birdwatcher]

Thanks a lot for these informations, also to point out, how good a Lyra Atlas Lambda SL would match it. I had the first Atlas (no Lambda, no SL) for some years in the past…
And yes, a MSL Signature Diamond is high on my whislist, too.
…too many nice cartridges for a short life of man….

 

[mtemur]

Who could compared the IO-M and IO-XP cartridges?

If I can locate the files, I’ll post them here for comparison.

I found the files and as I promised here are the two cartridges for comparison:

Kondo IO-M

Kondo IO-XP

Sorry, the record was very noisy. The files are not processed of any kind other than matching general loudness. Everything is the same Kondo stuff except cartridges. If above links don't work let me know. Here are the spectrum graphs: