Tidal La Assoluta system

[Golum]

If I am informed correctly the Gakuoh mk II amps can be ordered from the Kondo factory with Takatsuki 300b tubes, albeit at additional costs. If the latter is true (extra costs for the Takatsuki 300b valves), I find this quite irritating or even hard to accept. In my view amps with a rrp of EUR 115 000,- should be delivered with the top 300b valves that are being manufactured today without an extra charge (such as the Takatsuki or Western Electric).

For 115k very irritating move to deliver them with cheap Chinese options (not saying they sound like crap always) while as you righltly said Taka, WE, KR, EML, Elrog have their great 300b variants readily available…very cheap move
Just remembered - MA100 from Tobian which i believe is in the same price region or cheaper is delivered either with Taka or WE tube set and best NOS driver tubes…

 

[bonzo75]

Another day of intense listening to the Gakuoh mk II amps lies behind me. Interesting is that these new amps are rated ‘only’ 20 watts while my Gakuoh mk I amps are - according to the Kondo website - 30 watts. But the new mk II version sounds more powerful than my mk I version.

As mentioned earlier the most impressive aspect of the Gakuoh mk II amps is the gorgeous fluidity/non-mechanicalness. However, there is one aspect of the mk II version that is currently not to my liking: the tonality. It sounds somewhat ‘whitish’ to my ears. But I suppose that is a matter of (i) the tubes being (brand) new; they need (much) more hours and (ii) the choice of tubes. Kondo delivered these new amps with Psvane 300b valves, EH 6072 and 6CG7 tubes as well as Gold Lion GZ34 rectifiers. For example the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b tubes are imo (clearly) better than the Psvane 300b valves, while a NOS metal base gz34 rectifier ‘crushes’ the Gold Lion GZ34. So in that regard there is a lot to win.

If I am informed correctly the Gakuoh mk II amps can be ordered from the Kondo factory with Takatsuki 300b tubes, albeit at additional costs. If the latter is true (extra costs for the Takatsuki 300b valves), I find this quite irritating or even hard to accept. In my view amps with a rrp of EUR 115 000,- should be delivered with the top 300b valves that are being manufactured today without extra charge (such as the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b’s).

the one we heard at Dallas was with the new WE reissues

 

[DasguteOhr]

Another day of intense listening to the Gakuoh mk II amps lies behind me. Interesting is that these new amps are rated ‘only’ 20 watts while my Gakuoh mk I amps are - according to the Kondo website - 30 watts. But the new mk II version sounds more powerful than my mk I version.

As mentioned earlier the most impressive aspect of the Gakuoh mk II amps is the gorgeous fluidity/non-mechanicalness. However, there is one aspect of the mk II version that is currently not to my liking: the tonality. It sounds somewhat ‘whitish’ to my ears. But I suppose that is a matter of (i) the tubes being (brand) new; they need (much) more hours and (ii) the choice of tubes. Kondo delivered these new amps with Psvane 300b valves, EH 6072 and 6CG7 tubes as well as Gold Lion GZ34 rectifiers. For example the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b tubes are imo (clearly) better than the Psvane 300b valves, while a NOS metal base gz34 rectifier ‘crushes’ the Gold Lion GZ34. So in that regard there is a lot to win.

If I am informed correctly the Gakuoh mk II amps can be ordered from the Kondo factory with Takatsuki 300b tubes, albeit at additional costs. If the latter is true (extra costs for the Takatsuki 300b valves), I find this quite irritating or even hard to accept. In my view amps with a rrp of EUR 115 000,- should be delivered with the top 300b valves that are being manufactured today without extra charge (such as the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b’s).

I would first replace the eh 6072 in the input stage. There is more sound to be gained there than by replacing the 300b tubes. my tip these tubes

 

[Carlos269]

I would first replace the eh 6072 in the input stage. There is more sound to be gained there than by replacing the 300b tubes. my tip these tubes
View attachment 116358

Have to agree with you. I installed these in my new Electron Images Amati preamplifier today:

 

[DasguteOhr]

Have to agree with you. I installed these in my new Electron Images Amati preamplifier today:

View attachment 116359

Most of the kondo amps works with this tubes in the input stage. Its a ecc83 with 40% gain lower impedance
even at the risk of @Audiocrack not liking it. I'll then buy the tubes from him. But I bet that won't happen

 

[bonzo75]

Another day of intense listening to the Gakuoh mk II amps lies behind me. Interesting is that these new amps are rated ‘only’ 20 watts while my Gakuoh mk I amps are - according to the Kondo website - 30 watts. But the new mk II version sounds more powerful than my mk I version.

As mentioned earlier the most impressive aspect of the Gakuoh mk II amps is the gorgeous fluidity/non-mechanicalness. However, there is one aspect of the mk II version that is currently not to my liking: the tonality. It sounds somewhat ‘whitish’ to my ears. But I suppose that is a matter of (i) the tubes being (brand) new; they need (much) more hours and (ii) the choice of tubes. Kondo delivered these new amps with Psvane 300b valves, EH 6072 and 6CG7 tubes as well as Gold Lion GZ34 rectifiers. For example the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b tubes are imo (clearly) better than the Psvane 300b valves, while a NOS metal base gz34 rectifier ‘crushes’ the Gold Lion GZ34. So in that regard there is a lot to win.

If I am informed correctly the Gakuoh mk II amps can be ordered from the Kondo factory with Takatsuki 300b tubes, albeit at additional costs. If the latter is true (extra costs for the Takatsuki 300b valves), I find this quite irritating or even hard to accept. In my view amps with a rrp of EUR 115 000,- should be delivered with the top 300b valves that are being manufactured today without extra charge (such as the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b’s).

I know someone who supplies transformers to a 50k plus amp. He said the manufacturer had asked him not to supply his top transformer, but the next one down. The difference in the cost of the two is 500 euro. No different than saving the cost between Psvane, Psvane Acme, Tak, Elrog, WE new

 

[Rhapsody]

Another day of intense listening to the Gakuoh mk II amps lies behind me. Interesting is that these new amps are rated ‘only’ 20 watts while my Gakuoh mk I amps are - according to the Kondo website - 30 watts. But the new mk II version sounds more powerful than my mk I version.

As mentioned earlier the most impressive aspect of the Gakuoh mk II amps is the gorgeous fluidity/non-mechanicalness. However, there is one aspect of the mk II version that is currently not to my liking: the tonality. It sounds somewhat ‘whitish’ to my ears. But I suppose that is a matter of (i) the tubes being (brand) new; they need (much) more hours and (ii) the choice of tubes. Kondo delivered these new amps with Psvane 300b valves, EH 6072 and 6CG7 tubes as well as Gold Lion GZ34 rectifiers. For example the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b tubes are imo (clearly) better than the Psvane 300b valves, while a NOS metal base gz34 rectifier ‘crushes’ the Gold Lion GZ34. So in that regard there is a lot to win.

If I am informed correctly the Gakuoh mk II amps can be ordered from the Kondo factory with Takatsuki 300b tubes, albeit at additional costs. If the latter is true (extra costs for the Takatsuki 300b valves), I find this quite irritating or even hard to accept. In my view amps with a rrp of EUR 115 000,- should be delivered with the top 300b valves that are being manufactured today without extra charge (such as the Takatsuki or Western Electric 300b’s).

I have a different experience with the Gakuoh II when ordering from Kondo. Several of my customers want to buy their own NOS 300B's, so they don't want to pay the premium for the new WE's or the Takatsuki, which if they were supplied with all amps it would eventually be absorbed into the retail prices.

When I am ordering the Gakuoh II I give the customer the choice to either go with the stock 300B's and then they can do the NOS updates themselves OR if they want the premium 300B's which as you said are available per request, I supply them at no extra charge from the stock 300B's.

It works for my customers in this manner to their satisfaction.

 

[Audiocrack]

I have a different experience with the Gakuoh II when ordering from Kondo. Several of my customers want to buy their own NOS 300B's, so they don't want to pay the premium for the new WE's or the Takatsuki, which if they were supplied with all amps it would eventually be absorbed into the retail prices.

When I am ordering the Gakuoh II I give the customer the choice to either go with the stock 300B's and then they can do the NOS updates themselves OR if they want the premium 300B's which as you said are available per request, I supply them at no extra charge from the stock 300B's.

It works for my customers in this manner to their satisfaction.

That - supplying the premium 300B valves at no extra charge - is great customer service, Bob.

 

[Rhapsody]

That - supplying the premium 300B valves at no extra charge - is great customer service, Bob.

Well they are expensive amps as you know, so there is enough margin to make the customer and Rhapsody happy

 

[Audiocrack]

Well they are expensive amps as you know, so there is enough margin to make the customer and Rhapsody happy

That was exactly my point in my first post about this.

 

[Audiocrack]

The Gakuoh mk II amps will be picked up this evening. It has been a very interesting encounter. Although the mk II are great amps in my view and I would love to insert them in my LA set up, the price for these amps is rather steep. Because I am still happy with my Gakuoh mk I amps and have other ‘audio priorities’ at the moment I am not going to buy the mk II’s. That said, I am going to miss them. Very happy though that I was able to experience these amps in my own LA system at home.

 

[Rhapsody]

The Gakuoh mk II amps will be picked up this evening. It has been a very interesting encounter. Although the mk II are great amps in my view and I would love to insert them in my LA set up, the price for these amps is rather steep. Because I am still happy with my Gakuoh mk I amps and have other ‘audio priorities’ at the moment I am not going to buy the mk II’s. That said, I am going to miss them. Very happy though that I was able to experience these amps in my own LA system at home.

It's too bad that you never got to hear what the Gakuoh II really can sound like with not being broken in and using the stock tubes. I understand the dealer/distributor had to deliver them this way etc, but it's still too bad.

I was so shocked when I finally switched to NOS tubes on my Kaguras and Ongaku. Hard to believe the difference as was stated prior in the thread not as much with swapping out the 211's but on the input tubes which make even more of a difference than the 211s.

 

[Audiocrack]

It's too bad that you never got to hear what the Gakuoh II really can sound like with not being broken in and using the stock tubes. I understand the dealer/distributor had to deliver them this way etc, but it's still too bad.

I was so shocked when I finally switched to NOS tubes on my Kaguras and Ongaku. Hard to believe the difference as was stated prior in the thread not as much with swapping out the 211's but on the input tubes which make even more of a difference than the 211s.

Well Bob, in the past I mentioned quite often on WBF (as well as privately to you) that the Kondo poweramps need top notch (nos) valves in order to really shine. So we totally agree on this. And yes, fully broken in Gakuoh mk ii amps might have impressed me even more, but I have a very good idea what they will sound like in the end. And you know, I have the magnificent Kagura amps with four (nos) RCA 211 valves and 8 (nos) metal base gz34 tubes ‘waiting’ to be inserted again in the LA system. The ‘problem’ is though that I love both the 300b and 211 topology.

 

[Rhapsody]

Well Bob, in the past I mentioned quite often on WBF (as well as privately to you) that the Kondo poweramps need top notch (nos) valves in order to really shine. So we totally agree on this. And yes, fully broken in Gakuoh mk ii amps might have impressed me even more, but I have a very good idea what they will sound like in the end. And you know, I have the magnificent Kagura amps with four RCA 211 valves and 8 metal base gz34 tubes ‘waiting’ to be inserted again in the LA system. The ‘problem’ is that I love both the 300b and 211 topology.

I get it Rudolph. Thx for sharing your journey. Agreed on both the 300B's and 211s, I'm even more in love with the 2A3's and 45 tubes but you need 100+ sensitivity etc.

 

[Audiocrack]

I get it Rudolph. Thx for sharing your journey. Agreed on both the 300B's and 211s, I'm even more in love with the 2A3's and 45 tubes but you need 100+ sensitivity etc.

Indeed. Then you need to embrace horn loudspeakers and so far horns never could (fully) convince me but … Ked has informed me several times that there are very good ones available. So who knows? That said, I still love my LA’s and have no plans whatsoever to get rid off those.

 

[Audiocrack]

If everything goes according to plan the Aardvark isolator will be shipped to me next week. I hope - and more or less expect - that it will contribute in a significant way to the digital reply in the LA system. Hopefully this isolator will arrive soon.

Furthermore I heard last week for the first time over the phone the new Tripoint Audio filter that Miguel is going to implement in his (to be introduced) top of the line Emperor NG ‘grounding’ station. And oh boy, this new filter is really something: it is inter alia (inter alia because I cannot disclose all the new ‘inventions’) a. 25% larger than the filters in Tripoint Audio ‘s former flagship Elite NG ‘grounding’ unit, and b. silver plated (in stead of the pure copper filters in the Elite NG). The purity, fluidity, tonality as well as serinity and command I experienced over the telephone with all kinds of music was meshmerizing. In combination with the - in total six - pure diamond drivers (no diamond coating as is being implemented in for example several Magico transducers) in my Tidal La Assoluta loudspeakers I expect a non-mechanicalness that I have never experienced before.

The Tripoint Audio Emperor NG box will be shipped to me in five weeks.

 

[LL21]

If everything goes according to plan the Aardvark isolator will be shipped to me next week. I hope - and more or less expect - that it will contribute in a significant way to the digital reply in the LA system. Hopefully this isolator will arrive soon.

Furthermore I heard last week for the first time over the phone the new Tripoint Audio filter that Miguel is going to implement in his (to be introduced) top of the line Emperor NG ‘grounding’ station. And oh boy, this new filter is really something: it is inter alia (inter alia because I cannot disclose all the new ‘inventions’) a. 25% larger than the filters in Tripoint Audio ‘s former flagship Elite NG ‘grounding’ unit, and b. silver plated (in stead of the pure copper filters in the Elite NG). The purity, fluidity, tonality as well as serinity and command I experienced over the telephone with all kinds of music was meshmerizing. In combination with the - in total six - pure diamond drivers (no diamond coating as is being implemented in for example several Magico transducers) in my Tidal La Assoluta loudspeakers I expect a non-mechanicalness that I have never experienced before.

The Tripoint Audio Emperor NG box will be shipped to me in five weeks.

Great stuff! So presumably you will be keeping all of your Tripoint boxes...where will you be applying the new Emperor vs the existing Elite NG?

If not, let me know! Not sure I can make the leap, but always open for a discussion!

 

[Audiocrack]

Great stuff! So presumably you will be keeping all of your Tripoint boxes...where will you be applying the new Emperor vs the existing Elite NG?

If not, let me know! Not sure I can make the leap, but always open for a discussion!

Hello Lloyd, indeed I will keep my two Elite NG mk ii units. I need all those filters because Miguel’s new top of the line cables come with a drain cable: so a main cable in combination with a separate drain cable. Ideally you give both the main and drain cable a separate filter. The Emperor mk ii ‘grounding’ station will be used for grounding the copper platforms (including those who will be used for mass loading). Maybe I will the Emperor mk ii let go in order to buy another Elite NG but I am not yet sure if this.

 

[LL21]

Hello Lloyd, indeed I will keep my two Elite NG mk ii units. I need all those filters because Miguel’s new top of the line cables come with a drain cable: so a main cable in combination with a separate drain cable. Ideally you give both the main and drain cable a separate filter. The Emperor mk ii ‘grounding’ station will be used for grounding the copper platforms (including those who will be used for mass loading). Maybe I will the Emperor mk ii go in order to buy another Elite NG but I am not yet sure if this.

Thank you for letting me know. If you decide to let anything go, please let me know. No promises, but certainly would appreciate an opportunity to speak with you about it.

 

[Audiocrack]

The Aardvark isolator has arrived today. According to Eduardo a. all Aardvark isolators are being tested for about 50-70 hours before shipment and b. in the next 100 hours or so the sound quality will improve; it’s to be seen whether this improvement will (only) be subtle or (even) significant.

I plugged the Aardvark isolator in my Wadax reference server and will let it play for say the next 100 hours. After that burning in period I might try to connect it to the router; as mentioned before Eduardo informed me that the sonic benefits (may) differ. It is a matter of finding out where the isolator is the most effective.

If I understood Roy Gregory’s review of the Aardvark isolator correctly the sonic benefits with streamed music are greater than with locally stored files. I only play the latter (because to my ears the quality loss with streaming is significant). However, based on my first impressions the contribution of the Aardvark isolator with music on my harddiscs is substantial. Will report in more detail once this isolator can be considered fully broken in.