The Genesis 1.1 is apparently 91db efficient with a (nominal) 4-ohm load. Perhaps that was part of the difference?
Koda K10 preamp in my home for evaluation
- Thread starter jfrech
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The Genesis 1.1 is apparently 91db efficient with a (nominal) 4-ohm load. Perhaps that was part of the difference?
Hi my dealer called me.
Lloyd, I think you can order em now...deliver in a month or two...so pretty imminent...
Thanks! Good to know...fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your perspective)...I am perfectly happy with my CJ GAT. In truth, the only other preamp I was considering towards the very end of a long deliberation was the koda k10...but it was so new a company over 3 years ago, I was frankly just a little concerned about service, etc. And I knew I had enjoyed 3 pieces of CJ for over 10 years and decided to go with their new statement preamp.
I have no doubt about how great the K10 is (never compared though)...and am excited to learn about how much better the k15 might be. Any chance you know about price...any chance you are tempted to try to flip for a 'full credit trade in'?
just my 2 cents here Sirs, I am fortunate enough to have the Koda K10 in my house for about 4-5 hours, the dealer brought it here. After listening to it carefully and compared to my einstein the tube preamp with 19 nos tubes, I prefer the sound of my einstein more. It doesnt mean the koda k10 is not good, but in terms of dynamic and involving, I see the einstein is better. Also to compare the price of the 2 pres, the einstein is clearly the winner here. I will see the koda dealer soon and ask him about the k15, but I doubt I can afford it here in the UK while I am leaning on upgrading my digital first.
Probably I did not have a long enough period for testifying the Koda k10, but what I came out of the 4-5h listening to it then its my experience. The immediate differences can be heard after switching the pre in my system, I know this is probably my personal taste. I've not listened to CJ pre so I have no comment, but what I dont like is their preamps dont have balanced in-outputs, so I stay away.
Probably I did not have a long enough period for testifying the Koda k10, but what I came out of the 4-5h listening to it then its my experience. The immediate differences can be heard after switching the pre in my system, I know this is probably my personal taste. I've not listened to CJ pre so I have no comment, but what I dont like is their preamps dont have balanced in-outputs, so I stay away.
Yeah, I don't think you had it long enough to fully critique it. When I first got my demo K-10, it really took 2 or 3 days to settle down. Don't get me wrong, I liked it from the start, but all the jiggling from transport I guess on the transformers ...after a few days it really went from special to oh my that's VERY nice...If you can get a longer demo, I think you might like it more. Hard to say if it's worth a switch...plus what really makes the k-10 special to me is all the little things it seems to do so effortlessly. The more you listen...the more it draws you in...
Thanks Sonrock. Very interesting. As always, once we reach a certain level of refinement...system matching (including ears and brain!) are all-important. Nevertheless, it certainly is good to know that the 2 are on a level worth comparing. I have heard great things about the Einstein, and someone did recommend it to me when I was considering CJ GAT. Based on your description and what I've read about K10, that would make sense to me, as I have heard the K10 is more about 'sublime and effortless', with a presentation that does not necessarily bring 'massive dynamic' to the fore of words to describe it. Not that it does not have great dynamics, but rather its not the foremost element that apparently strikes you when listening to K10...this all second hand feedback (as unfortunately I've not heard it myself)...but rather I've spoken to 3 guys who own it (and bought it after comparing to their previous preamps).
would be nice to hear it...Sometimes availability...right place, right time...are all important too. Prior to CJ GAT, I 'only' managed to hear ACT 2, ARC Ref 3, MBL 6010, Krell Evo 1/202, Shindo Massetto (V-R and Petrus were not avail)...and spoke with someone I trust about CJ GAT who gave me his personal comparison to Shindo Petrus, Wavac PRT-1 and Zanden 3000 which he has owned/sold. He suggested I hear his Koda K10 but unfortunately, he lived in Asia.
I'm using the tube mk2 and change all the factory tubes to my own selected NOS tubes. I just hope I will be able to bring The Preamp home but the price is still too high at the moment IMO, so I am thinking to upgrade my digital first, not sure yet.
Regarding the Koda, its quite neutral, but lack a bit warm and musical compared to my einstein, especially the dynamic. I doubt this will be improved after longer period of running time, but maybe the resolutions and involving like the einstein does. Another point is this Koda doesnt have remote control which is annoying too, I really dont know why Mr Koda has not made one for the pre!!!
Regarding the Koda, its quite neutral, but lack a bit warm and musical compared to my einstein, especially the dynamic. I doubt this will be improved after longer period of running time, but maybe the resolutions and involving like the einstein does. Another point is this Koda doesnt have remote control which is annoying too, I really dont know why Mr Koda has not made one for the pre!!!
This is a very interesting information for me. I already heard the preamp from einstein in my home. you use the 6922 Philips NOS Tubes?
if i take the same tubes in my sonic frontiers the difference between both preamps is very small. my sonic is not original, we make a lot of changes (caps, better power supply ....) at the moment i am using telefunken nos tubes. sounds for me more natural
if i take the same tubes in my sonic frontiers the difference between both preamps is very small. my sonic is not original, we make a lot of changes (caps, better power supply ....) at the moment i am using telefunken nos tubes. sounds for me more natural
Speaking only for myself, I started out with pretty colored golden-hued tubes...driving Celestions, then Guarneris. I knew that they were colored but did not know exactly how far colored I really was. Mainly, because I did not wish to sacrifice the elements in the music that I was hearing and enjoyed...and was prepared to live with some sacrifices which were lower down on my priority list. (My list was basically midrange rich, beautiful, glowing and deep bass. Detail was way down the list...so was nuance, soundstaging, etc)
Today, I don't think the priority list has necessarily changed...but I am far more exacting about what I hear, and having reached quite a high level of midrange beauty...my focuses over the last 3 years have really been about detail, decay, dynamic range and alacrity of attack (and instant decay when called for...no overhang). In that pursuit, I have really started to appreciate some equipment which (while it 'may' have sacrificed a bit of 'glow' which I still lean towards)...captivated me by the enormous level of detail, decay, technical and rhythmic 'accuracy' that allowed me to really enjoy contrapuntal themes criss-crossing across an orchestra (which I never heard before because the detail and timing was a bit smeared...and thus, these details were essentially lost).
Put another way, I am finding that as I build my system to the next level, there are new elements from new equipment which I am actively working on incorporating into my system...still keeping the largely the 'voice' I love, but with added refinement of dynamics, tremendous extension, and a big one for me...quiet noise floor and loads of detail.
I wonder if over time, you might (emphasize: might) find that the Koda's delivery which apparently is super-subtle on these details/nuances might not start to become addictive in its own way. Just a thought.
What digital to you have again? Meitner? What are you thinking of auditioning for upgrade?
You use Telefunken 6922s? Any particular kind you recommend? I use Amperex 6922s and Mullards ECC88s...with the Amperex becoming noisy, I have switched to Mullards...a bit rough on their own, but with the EAT Tube dampers (and CJ GAT not being as sensitive to tube rolling as other equipment I own)...I can tell the difference but its small enough I really don't care at all...and in fact, these Mullards are far, far quieter so in that respect I much prefer them.
Have you compared Telefunkens to either of these 6922s I have? just curious. thanks.
E88CC / 6922 Gold Pin from Telefunken. Very difficult to find REAL Telefunken NOS.
I never use Amperex or Mullards. I compared to Phillips. The Phillips is more like a transistor. I have Reflektor 6h23p-ep too. Very good. Need a very long time to play right (> 300 h)
I heard from my dealer http://www.btb-elektronik.de/en/index.html the the Genalex is very close to the Telefunken and MUCH cheaper.
Bye the way this dealer is one of the best for Tubes worldwide!
I never use Amperex or Mullards. I compared to Phillips. The Phillips is more like a transistor. I have Reflektor 6h23p-ep too. Very good. Need a very long time to play right (> 300 h)
I heard from my dealer http://www.btb-elektronik.de/en/index.html the the Genalex is very close to the Telefunken and MUCH cheaper.
Bye the way this dealer is one of the best for Tubes worldwide!
Thanks! Good to know! I will look into Telefunkens and Genalex. I have heard the JAN Phillips 6922s in my system and thought they were quite good, so very interesting to hear you felt they were transistor-like.
No Sir, I am using different tubes with gold pins from Mullard (8 cv2493 + 1 Telefunken Ecc82 for the output) and Telefunken + Mullard + Siemens for 5 inputs (1 pair of Tele E288CC, 1 pair of Tele E188cc, 1 pair of Tele E88cc, 1 pair of Mullard E188CC, and 1 pair of Siemens Cca)
The first thing about colourful tubes, I've just got my preamp serviced by Einstein with better power supply board, transformer, circuits etc, new power cable and works perfectly with 245v. Einstein told me my Mullard CV2493 (8 tubes) + Telefunken E188CC (a pair for the input) are very colourful (distortion) compared to original Philips 6922. But according to my ears, they do sound better, warmer, more musical but still neutral.
The second thing about digital is I am using wadia s7i cdp, and I am wondering to upgrade to 4 boxes top msb and parts (galaxy fempto clock, vol control, usb etc) or 4 boxes dcs scarlatti. But I am leaning on 4 boxes msb stack as many keeps telling me msb is even better than dcs vivaldi. I listened to dcs scarlatti transport + paganini dac, compared directly with my s7i and the dcs blew the wadia away. I am still waiting for the demo msb signature iv plus 3 boxes coming here.
The second thing about digital is I am using wadia s7i cdp, and I am wondering to upgrade to 4 boxes top msb and parts (galaxy fempto clock, vol control, usb etc) or 4 boxes dcs scarlatti. But I am leaning on 4 boxes msb stack as many keeps telling me msb is even better than dcs vivaldi. I listened to dcs scarlatti transport + paganini dac, compared directly with my s7i and the dcs blew the wadia away. I am still waiting for the demo msb signature iv plus 3 boxes coming here.
FWIW, Zanden also issues their Signature DAC standard with JAN Phillips 6922...but it is super-microphonic. Otherwise, exceptional sound for the money. usually less than $20 for a tube. In any event, I have heard both s7 and the DCS Scarlatti. The s7 is truly excellent...that said, I agree with you on DCS Scarlatti. I have heard it twice and both times was blown away. I found it was remarkable in certain aspects...still preferred my Zanden 4-box, but agree that the DCS Scarlatti produced detail like I've never heard before other than Stahl-Tek Vekian.
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