Kondo / Audio Note Ongaku Japan

[nirodha]

Hi all,
A question (or two) about the Japanese Ongaku. The Ongaku has been in production for years and I wonder if the early 2000 Ongaku (made by the man himself) differs from the current version regarding sound reproduction? What I have read is that the early Kondo is a bit ‘softer’ and less transparent… . I heard the current version a few times and simply love everything about it (apart from the price ). What were the prices at the time (around 2000) so I can evaluate the prices of secondhand ones? And finally, are the older versions ones still serviceable (or in need of service considering age)? Hope to hear from actual users and dare I hope, someone having used them from the two eras of production. Thank you all for your inputs.

 

[gian60]

I had Ongaku ANJ around 1998/2000,then sold and bought Kondo Ongaku,then tried at home my Kondo Ongaku vs Kondo KSL,and now i have new Ongaku
My friend living 5 km from my home have the first ANJ Ongaku smaller and with the output jack in front,
so i know all very well

All are fantastic,ANJ Ongaku had a magic mid but little roll off and little full in mid bass,Kondo Ongaku little better,Ksl more transparent and the last in production now is really the best for me.
More dynamic,fast,with deel and controlled bass,more aire and always fantastic mid.
Now the new has the power output trans black because are built by Kondo while the previous was grey and built by Tango.
When Tango closed some years ago,Kondo start to produce also power trans.
This trans is better than the old Tango and give more aire in the high with the wider frequency response
I contacted Kondo and also them told the same things.

The first Ongaku,smaller,that my friend has has a very natural sound on mid bass/mid high

For my taste the last are always better than the previous

In Italy price are around 19/24 Keuro the old,and around 30/34 the KSL
The new cannot find second hand for now

 

[nirodha]

I had Ongaku ANJ around 1998/2000,then sold and bought Kondo Ongaku,then tried at home my Kondo Ongaku vs Kondo KSL,and now i have new Ongaku
My friend living 5 km from my home have the first ANJ Ongaku smaller and with the output jack in front,
so i know all very well

All are fantastic,ANJ Ongaku had a magic mid but little roll off and little full in mid bass,Kondo Ongaku little better,Ksl more transparent and the last in production now is really the best for me.
More dynamic,fast,with deel and controlled bass,more aire and always fantastic mid.
Now the new has the power output trans black because are built by Kondo while the previous was grey and built by Tango.
When Tango closed some years ago,Kondo start to produce also power trans.
This trans is better than the old Tango and give more aire in the high with the wider frequency response
I contacted Kondo and also them told the same things.

The first Ongaku,smaller,that my friend has has a very natural sound on mid bass/mid high

For my taste the last are always better than the previous

In Italy price are around 19/24 Keuro the old,and around 30/34 the KSL
The new cannot find second hand for now

Thank you very much, Gian! This really helps. Probably the beginning of a long period of saving.

 

[Audiocrack]

I cannot specifically answer your question because I never inserted the Kondo Ongaku in my (Tidal La Assoluta) system. However, I did compare the Gakuon to the Kagura’s and the Gakuoh mk i (push pull version) to the Kondo Gakuoh mk ii (also the push pull version). To me all the new Kondo models I listened to sound better than the older models in the sense that the current amps are definately more transparent and are sounding purer as well. The higher quality of the various components inside the new(er) amps can be noticed very clearly. If you are interested I refer to my Tidal La Assoluta thread on WBF where I describe in more detail my listening experiences regarding the Gakuoh mk i and Gakuoh mk ii amplifiers.

Although the new versions indeed sound less ‘romantic’ than the older models, the new models sound imo less mechanical. So to my ears the current Kondo models (I listened to and compared a/b) are sonically superior to the models dating from the Kondo San era.

 

[bonzo75]

I cannot specifically answer your question because I never inserted the Kondo Ongaky in my (Tidal La Assoluta) system. However, I did compare the Gakuon to the Kagura’s and the Gakuoh mk i (push pull version) to the Kondo Gakuoh mk ii (also the push pull version). To me all the new Kondo models I listened to sound better than the older models in the sense that the current amps are definately more transparent and are sounding purer as well. The higher quality of the various components inside the amps can be noticed very clearly. If you are interested I refer to my Tidal La Assoluta thread on WBF where I describe in more detail my listening experiences regarding the Gakuoh mk i and Gakuoh mk ii amplifiers.

Although the new versions indeed sound less ‘romantic’ than the older models, the new models sound imo less mechanical. So to my ears the current Kondo models (I listened to and compared a/b) are sonically superior to the models dating from the Kondo Sam era.

After many Kondo compares, the Gakuoh II was the best so I agree with Rudolf. Followed by Gakuon 1 211, and Kagura - Kagura has the best drive should the speaker require it but not the same emotion as Gakuoh II.

Also, magic is in the preamps, so I would not use Ongaku without the preamp

 

[nirodha]

I cannot specifically answer your question because I never inserted the Kondo Ongaku in my (Tidal La Assoluta) system. However, I did compare the Gakuon to the Kagura’s and the Gakuoh mk i (push pull version) to the Kondo Gakuoh mk ii (also the push pull version). To me all the new Kondo models I listened to sound better than the older models in the sense that the current amps are definately more transparent and are sounding purer as well. The higher quality of the various components inside the amps can be noticed very clearly. If you are interested I refer to my Tidal La Assoluta thread on WBF where I describe in more detail my listening experiences regarding the Gakuoh mk i and Gakuoh mk ii amplifiers.

Although the new versions indeed sound less ‘romantic’ than the older models, the new models sound imo less mechanical. So to my ears the current Kondo models (I listened to and compared a/b) are sonically superior to the models dating from the Kondo Sam era.

Thank you!!!

 

[gian60]

Gakuon has more power thanongaku but sound is worse,Gakuon os too full in midbass and little roll off,i and my friend had

Other friend has G1000,Ge 10 and Kagura and tries new Ongaku at home
Ongaku more transparent but less body and natural
5 his friends compared at his home ongaku and kagura with G1000 and 3 people preferred Gakuon and 2 preferred Ongaku

 

[Audiocrack]

Gakuon has more power thanongaku but sound is worse,Gakuon os too full in midbass and little roll off,i and my friend had

Other friend has G1000,Ge 10 and Kagura and tries new Ongaku at home
Ongaku more transparent but less body and natural
5 his friends compared at his home ongaku and kagura with G1000 and 3 people preferred Gakuon and 2 preferred Ongaku

As regards your last sentence, Gian: five of your friends compared the Ongaku and Kagura in combination with the g1000. You mention that three of them preferred Gakuon and two of them Ongaku: do you actually wanted to say that three of them preferred Kagura?

Btw, a while back I was informed that Kondo is actually working on a new (version of the) Ongaku.

 

[gian60]

Sorry i wrong,5 listen Kagura vs Ongaku
Not galuon

 

[gian60]

I know of new Ongaku,could be only amp without pre
The actually ongaku,always same with few improvements in last years and in production since 50 years will a big piece of history in hi end

 

[gian60]

I am now in munich and 10 am i will be in Kondo boot

 

[nirodha]

I am now in munich and 10 am i will be in Kondo boot

Keep us posted !

 

[mtemur]

In Italy price are around 19/24 Keuro the old,and around 30/34 the KSL
The new cannot find second hand for now

In my experience, the current Ongaku sells second-hand for around $50,000 to $60,000, depending on its age. There’s a high probability that the price is similar globally. Your mileage may vary.

 

[gian60]

Munchen today

 

[nirodha]

In my experience, the current Ongaku sells second-hand for around $50,000 to $60,000, depending on its age. There’s a high probability that the price is similar globally. Your mileage may vary.

I think you are spot on! Ah…. We will see in a year or three