ZANDEN Choku, Chukoh and Jinpu

[Marcus]

New Zanden SE (WE 212) power amp (made for Audio Exotics) the Chouku Banri is obviously coming soon. After the Chouku and Kaun, I didn’t expect another power amp…

Looks like the “ordinary” Chouku to me…

 

[andromedaaudio]

How do they sound compared to the Koda '?
I ve heard the 9500 9600 many times.

 

[Marcus]

Don’t know. Have heard only the original Chouku monos and even these with the Chuko line stage and Jinpu Phono in an unknown (to me) Audioexotics system, but this was one of the best systems I have heard in my life.

 

[Marcus]

Yes...the Seikoh, supposedly the final word from Yamada San in Redbook-only 16/44.1khz. Was originally supposed to be released in 2020.

https://audioexotics.vanillacommuni...ry-of-partnership-between-zanden-audio-and-ae

Seikoh finally on the horizon…

 

[LL21]

Amazing! How much? Any news on people hearing one?

 

[Marcus]

Amazing! How much? Any news on people hearing one?

Sorry Lloyd, nothing yet.

 

[LL21]

Sorry Lloyd, nothing yet.

Thanks...please let us all (particularly me!) know when you hear more! Very exciting. Unfortunately, I can imagine the cost will be phenomenal, but nevertheless would be great to know how it measures up after the original launch of the Zanden 4-box so many years ago and how well it performs so many many years later with good care on isolation, grounding, the Waversa interface added to the 4-boxes, as well as the upgrades to the various tubes and cables (effectively refinements to an already exceptionally sound design)!

 

[spiritofmusic]

This is just the transport?

 

[LL21]

Hard to say of course. That said, given the state of digital, seems likely yes. Wadax, DCS, MSB, AN, and TotalDAC which is only the D/A end…most references incl transports today appear to be separate transport and DAC.

 

[Audiohertz2]

Seikoh finally on the horizon…

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/attachments/img_3432-jpeg.135285/

View attachment 135285

Bird of prey ....

 

[LL21]

Seikoh finally on the horizon…

View attachment 135285

Spoke briefly with Audio Exotics:
- Due out in 2025
- Transport: 16/44.1 Redbook
- DAC: higher resolution possible (no details as of yet)
- DAC: useable as external DAC with separate source
- Price TBD

 

[Marcus]

New Zanden SE (WE 212) power amp (made for Audio Exotics) the Chouku Banri is obviously coming soon. After the Chouku and Kaun, I didn’t expect another power amp…

A few technical details for the Chouku Banri from Chris Leung:

“Highlights of Chouku Banri
1. Replacement of the “power transformers” to the latest generation of FINE-MET- alpha core transformers. It removes noise from the power supply resulting deeper sound stage and better tonality. Delivery of power has a new sense of easiness as though the power output of the amplifier increases. Output transformers are FINEMET core of course, same as Chouku.
2. Newly designed circuit boards for 300B driver stage aims at stabilising bias current. Improved stability of them leads to better control behavior of the amplifier.
3. Replacement of resistor and capacitor parts to even more exotics type so as to reduce noises further. These precision winding resistors are only used in reference level Jinpu 仁風 phono stage and Gosetsu 傲雪preamplifier.
4. Replacement of all leading wires to custom made silver plated copper of the highest purity.
5. Zanden attached three-layered electromagnetic wave absorbers inside the amplifier. They were developed in cooperation with a chemical manufacturer.”

 

[LL21]

Thanks, Marcus...have you heard it? Just spoke with Chris a few weeks ago about the Zanden Seikoh...out this year. Transport/DAC is for Redbook, BUT indications are the DAC will accept independent inputs and produce hi-res. Very very interesting!

 

[Marcus]

Thanks, Marcus...have you heard it?

Unfortunately no. Only two pieces were build and one is in the AE. Don’t know where’s the other.

 

[LL21]

Interesting. I wonder how many Zanden special items with AE have been bought. I wonder how the digital will do…there are a LOT of competitors in performance.