Zero Distortion: Visit to Rhapsody Dallas

[christensenleif@msn.com]

it´s not only about the tube, but also operating point and implementation

 

[Argonaut]

Kevin Scott always used the M77 in his LV demos with the Vox system.

I never really ‘Got’ this pre … A tad coloured , a tad noisey and a touch too much bloom for my taste , ymmv etc.

 

[bonzo75]

I never really ‘Got’ this pre … A tad coloured , a tad noisey and a touch too much bloom for my taste , ymmv etc.

that’s how I have heard Kondo sound when not right. Usually with a couple of inefficient speakers or in a mixed chain

 

[exupgh12]

Thank you for the comprehensive and intrigue report and videos, I really enjoyed them.

 

[No Regrets]

it’s not like I am singing it myself. I just point the mobile camera and then upload by app to YouTube

May I ask which mobile phone device you use, as it seems like it does a pretty amazing job!
Best wishes,
Don

 

[bonzo75]

May I ask which mobile phone device you use, as it seems like it does a pretty amazing job!
Best wishes,
Don

iPhone 11 since august 2022, before that 8+, and even some 7+ if you go to the earlier ones.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I don't know, I haven't heard M77.

The phono is really good cascode input stage and cathode follower 40db gain
The really good tubes are expensive 12ay7/ 6072a

 

[No Regrets]

iPhone 11 since august 2022, before that 8+, and even some 7+ if you go to the earlier ones.

Thank you, Kedar! I think you do an amazing job with your videos, especially considering you are only using an iPhone and not some fancy recording device.

Thank you for your continued efforts in sharing your videos and reports. I know many here, besides just me surely enjoy them

Best wishes,
Don

 

[sujay]

Great write up, Kedar! The Piliums on the Diesis would have made for an excellent compare and reference point.
loved the videos!

 

[Rhapsody]

RCA, I mentioned it, and yes Amperex or United or WE will be better

If you can find them

 

[Rhapsody]

This pretty much true of all SET amps.

Yes, of course except that I know a lot of people a few years ago were judging the Kaguras and even owning them with the stock tubes. Myself included. What a mistake.

 

[Audiocrack]

well, that kind of gels with my thinking. The preamp is doing the main magic, and I did find more tone, control, and dynamics on the Kagura, but a bit more emotion in the Gakuoh. I do agree using Amperex, United or WE in place of the RCA possibly could have added more emotion as well in the Kagura.

To my ears the RCA 211 valves sound in combination with the Kagura’s clearly better than the GE 211 tubes.

 

[Rhapsody]

To my ears the RCA 211 valves sound in combination with the Kagura’s clearly better than the GE 211 tubes.

Agree 100% but in a pinch the GE's are still a whole lot better than new 211's. I use the RCA's but have some GE's as back ups.

 

[Audiocrack]

Have only heard Kaguras in a non-optimal setting…however heard the predecessor Gakuon many times and preferred the Gahuoh by a significant margin…but your speaker needs to be sensitive and relatively easy load. I think with a very sensitive speaker (around 100dB) something like the Souga might be the one to go for…I have a good Silvercore 2A3 amp in the house and the sound with this tube is sublime.

Agree with you: I also clearly prefer the Gakuohs mk I to the Gakuons. However, the Kagura’s with top notch nos valves (and I am not only referring the 211 valves but also to the four GZ 34 tubes per amp) sound to my ears superior to the Gakuons.

 

[Sampajanna]

Nice showroom and excellent report!

 

[KeithR]

Nice report, Kedar. You should visit Albert Porter in Dallas as well sometime.

 

[bonzo75]

To my ears the RCA 211 valves sound in combination with the Kagura’s clearly better than the GE 211 tubes.

GE and RCA are Both are better than KR. Which is better than Psvane.

Amperex, United and WE 242c will be quite better than GE and RCA. The distance between Amperex and RCA is greater than that between RCA and KR.

 

[bonzo75]

Great write up, Kedar! The Piliums on the Diesis would have made for an excellent compare and reference point.
loved the videos!

yes and Kaguras should be played on the Alsyvox. Next time.

 

[Audiocrack]

GE and RCA are Both are better than KR. Which is better than Psvane.

Amperex, United and WE 242c will be quite better than GE and RCA. The distance between Amperex and RCA is greater than that between RCA and KR.

I remember you said so in the past and I believe you. I have a quad of Amperex 211 as well as some UN 211 valves available but … one of the four United Electronics 211 tubes is not good (anymore). However, I will definitely listen to the Amperex 211 valves in the Kagura’s in the future.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Rhapsody Dallas – The Hamleys for Audiophiles – Zero Distortion

zero-distortion.org

Amazing weekend with Chris. Had a good feel of all three rooms over two days to listen to he Magico M9s, Alsyvox, and the Kondo Diesis system with a compare of three Kondo amps.

Big thanks Ked, I also very much enjoyed the whole story. The engagement in the music really comes through the videos. It was especially great to hear the Kagura and Gakuoh go back to back and even more so paired up with the Diesis. As a big fan of OB horn that immediate open-ness and the unimpaired effortless free flowing lifelike characteristics really come through… especially combined with the nuance and timbral qualities of the WE 300B and the immediacy of Kondo with all silver attributes. Perhaps not so much a suspension of disbelief and more a suspension of time and space… and then there was Shostakovich as well. Most excellent and wonderful.