Kondo M1000 Mk. 2 Preamplifier

[MylesBAstor]

Coming soon! Very soon.

[MylesBAstor]

Now running the M1000 Mk. 2 and Doshi 3.0 phono section into the Kaguras. Cartridge is Charisma Reference MC2. Will be interesting to also listen with the Ortofon A95 and maybe even the Atlas. But plan on giving this combo a listen and then using the Kondo SUT.

Some preliminary impressions. The Kagura/GAT combo was extraordinary but there's no denying the Kagura/M1000 Mk.2 is even more synergistic. Even greater sense of space and placement of instruments on the stage. Plus the level of fine detail is amazing. That's what I heard at Bob's place a while back and now know where the magic was coming from.

[MylesBAstor]

So as I'm listening to the Kagura plus M1000 Mk. 2, I'm wondering if the real gem of the duo is the preamplifier? Maybe before the units go back, I'll try the M1000 Mk. 2 with the cj ART amplifiers just for comparison's sake.

There is just something about the resolution of the M1000 Mk. 2 that is breathtaking. If you are a midrange freak, this is definitely one preamplifier you should hear.

For instance, right now, this is only preamplifier that I've heard that could properly resolve spatially (!) and tonally, all four guitars on the Opus 3 Guitar Quartets selection from the sampler tape one. All other pieces just either congealed/bled the instruments together or separated maybe on or two. Now all four guitars are easily and readily identifiable.

[Audiocrack]

I cannot answer your question Myles as I have not yet heard the Kagura amps. What I can tell you is that the Kondo (pre)amps are very special 'animals' and combining them with other (that is non Kondo) equipment easily turns out in deception. Because they are somewhat peculiar (in the good sense of the word) everybody should imho be very careful to judge the quality of the Kondo preamps and poweramps when they are not combined with eachother.

If you like what you are experiencing at the moment - and apparently you are - I would be quite amazed if you are not going to absolutely love the combination with the Kondo stepup as well. In my view they are a stunning trio, albeit that I am referring to the Kondo m1000 mk 1 (if possible give this version a listen as quite some people who have a lot of listening experience with Kondo equipment prefer the mark i to the mark ii), Gakuoh amps and the Kondo sut.

I consider the M1000 mk i an amazing and beautiful preamp, that is a real gem.

[Audiocrack]

And let me add one more thing: the Kondo (pre)amps in combination with the Tidal LA's are not only sounding beautiful but very transparent as well. 10 days ago an audio specialist (with an absolute hearing) visited me. All the things we tried out - such as putting some caps on several outputs of my M1000 that I am not using, using different (silver made) bridges on the back of my Tidal LA's, putting a cap on the S/PDIF output of my Lampi Golden Gate dac (which output I am not using), changing the fuse of my Lampi, adding more torque on the screws that are being used on the back of my Tidal LA's, inserting different power cords and different interconnects - could be recognized very easily

[ashandger]

Hi Myles, many thanks for all the updates. Kondo combo seems to be extraordinary. Any thoughts so far on their bass performance?

I need to optimize the IC right now between the phono and preamp right now.

Also, are you planning to publish a full formal review of both the Kagura and the preamp at some point?

Yes in two parts. The amps and then adding in the preamplifier.

What cables are you using at present between the pre and Kagura? Kind Regards

As I mentioned need to optimize right now. Will see if Bob has another length of Kondo for there. Am making do with either Transparent Ref. 5 (that's not correctly calibrated) or MG Audio. I can have some Skogrand and Kubala Sosna I can use also.

[Rhapsody]

Myles, I do have KSL (Kondo silver) Ic's.....we just have to get them to you. I leave for Munich on Tuesday afternoon. ???? Or after Munich?

[MylesBAstor]

Sent you a note!

[MylesBAstor]

OK so Kondo SUT SFz is now in the system and am using the Ortofon A95 cartridge. Had to switch phono cables since the TA that I was using was balanced so started with the Audience phono cables reviewed a while back. Then maybe will try the Lyra Phono Pipe and maybe one other cable.

What does strike me is what one may attribute to the "sound" of the step up is actually hearing the LCR phono stage in the M1000 Mk. 2. See more than a few companies using an LCR RIAA including Kondo, WAVAC, Ypsilon, Allnic and several others.

[GaryB]

. . . What does strike me is what one may attribute to the "sound" of the step up is actually hearing the LCR phono stage in the M1000 Mk. 2. See more than a few companies using an LCR RIAA including Kondo, WAVAC, Ypsilon, Allnic and several others.

Is the Kondo an LCR phono stage? I'd never seen that mentioned.
---Gary

[MylesBAstor]

Is the Kondo an LCR phono stage? I'd never seen that mentioned.
---Gary

Pretty sure but Bob can confirm.

[Audiocrack]

Possibly hearing the LCR phonostage in the Kondo m1000, is that in your view a 'good thing', Myles? In other words, taking the different (single ended) phono cables into account, do you like what you are hearing? I never used any balanced cable - let alone a balanced phono cable - in one of my systems so I am wondering if the change from balanced to single ended phono is such a large one that (fair) comparisons can hardly be made.

[MylesBAstor]

Possibly hearing the LCR phonostage in the Kondo m1000, is that in your view a 'good thing', Myles? In other words, taking the different (single ended) phono cables into account, do you like what you are hearing? I never used any balanced cable - let alone a balanced phono cable - in one of my systems so I am wondering if the change from balanced to single ended phono is such a large one that (fair) comparisons can hardly be made.

I mentioned the LCR RIAA EQ because many think it is a better way of implementing equalization. I'm agnostic and have heard good examples of both.

Bob is going to lend me a length of Kondo Ag IC. Objections noted on the SE vs. Balanced but I didn't see any other way to do it.

[Audiocrack]

My question was not intended as an objection, Myles, I was just wondering out aloud.

[MylesBAstor]

My question was not intended as an objection, Myles, I was just wondering out aloud.

Maybe my reaction was because I had thought of these issues and I like to only change one thing at a time in the system. That said, Bob dropped off a length of Kondo IC that will help me getting my head around the sound of the step up. Also Kondo as an entire system approach.

[Audiocrack]

Kondo as an entire system approach ... Does this imply that you (also) are going to try the Kondo iom cartridge?

And forgot to ask you: what powercords are you using with the Kagura's and the m1000, Myles? I mentioned before that the Kondo ic's and loudspeaker cables are ok but superior alternatives are available. The same applies in my view to the Kondo pc's: they are good but much better pc's really let you hear what the Kondo equipment is capable of.

That said I fully understand that you need to go step by step and searching for better ic's, pc's and loudspeaker cables is likely not an option in the timeframe you need to take into account.

[MylesBAstor]

Kondo as an entire system approach ... Does this imply that you (also) are going to try the Kondo iom cartridge?

And forgot to ask you: what powercords are you using with the Kagura's and the m1000, Myles? I mentioned before that the Kondo ic's and loudspeaker cables are ok but superior alternatives are available. The same applies in my view to the Kondo pc's: they are good but much better pc's really let you hear what the Kondo equipment is capable of.

That said I fully understand that you need to go step by step and searching for better ic's, pc's and loudspeaker cables is likely not an option in the timeframe you need to take into account.

That's the one part can't do as both my wands are tied up with cartridges I'm reviewing. And one's in line too.