Any views on Kondo Audio Note GE-1 Phono Stage and SFz SUT?

FlexibleAudio

FlexibleAudio

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Has anyone heard this phono stage/SUT combo? Any comparisons to current SOTA tube phono stages (ex. Allnic, Doshi, etc.)?
 
I could be wrong but i believe Bob(absolare ) has this setup in his showroom in NYC. with the kondo cartridge also. Its very good but for the price of that stuff, to me there are so many better setups that could be had for alot less money. of course ymmv.
 
Hi Steve,

Thanks for the thoughts. The MSRP for the GE-1 is $13k roughly the same as the Doshi 3.0 and Allnic H3000. (The SUT would be and additional $4 to $8 depending on silver or copper.) Not huge money for Kondo stuff. I was just wondering if it could compete in this arena. I take it from your comments it would be a somewhat distant third on this list??
 
Well you know how I feel about allnic. H3000 is my sweet spot. The doshi I have not heard. The $7500 rogers phonostage with goldmund preamp was a better setup to my ears.
 
FlexibleAudio said:
Hi Steve,

Thanks for the thoughts. The MSRP for the GE-1 is $13k roughly the same as the Doshi 3.0 and Allnic H3000. (The SUT would be and additional $4 to $8 depending on silver or copper.) Not huge money for Kondo stuff. I was just wondering if it could compete in this arena. I take it from your comments it would be a somewhat distant third on this list??
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IIRC the price of the new Doshi phono stage is a bit more.

Depending on the table/arm, Bob's Devices SUT might be an interesting fit as you can essentially eliminate the phono cable.
 
Myles B. Astor said:
IIRC the price of the new Doshi phono stage is a bit more.

Depending on the table/arm, Bob's Devices SUT might be an interesting fit as you can essentially eliminate the phono cable.
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Thanks Myles. Sorry to be thick but can you elaborate on this point?
 
FlexibleAudio said:
Thanks Myles. Sorry to be thick but can you elaborate on this point?
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For instance with the VPI, you can plug the armwand directly into the SUT, thus eliminating the phono cable. In other words that low level signal doesn't have to travel a meter or more to be amplified by the phono section. Then you run the SUT into the phono section. The upshot is that one can theoretically better preserve that low level signal.
 
FlexibleAudio said:
Hi Steve,

Thanks for the thoughts. The MSRP for the GE-1 is $13k roughly the same as the Doshi 3.0 and Allnic H3000. (The SUT would be and additional $4 to $8 depending on silver or copper.) Not huge money for Kondo stuff. I was just wondering if it could compete in this arena. I take it from your comments it would be a somewhat distant third on this list??
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IMO, the Kondo would be a significant upgrade over the Allnic. Less coloured, more pure.
 
XV-1 said:
IMO, the Kondo would be a significant upgrade over the Allnic. Less coloured, more pure.
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Agree I've heard both Kondo and Allnic Phono stages --the Kondo is better--had good friend purchase an Allnic Phono--the thing hummed and although he tried everything expected and recommended, it could'nt be corrected

sold it


Bruce
 
I love my Kondo SUT. It is the premium with top of line silver wire. My Goldfinger Statement into the Kondo then into the airtight ate-2001 reference MM input is the best the Goldfinger has ever sounded (compared to other SUTs I have demoed like the Ypsilon SUT; and compared to straight into my ARC Ref2se MC or MM.
 
Dpod4 said:
I love my Kondo SUT. It is the premium with top of line silver wire. My Goldfinger Statement into the Kondo then into the airtight ate-2001 reference MM input is the best the Goldfinger has ever sounded (compared to other SUTs I have demoed like the Ypsilon SUT; and compared to straight into my ARC Ref2se MC or MM.
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Thanks all for the comments.

Dpod, I think the silver is like $13K compared to the copper which is about $4K. Did you audition the copper??
 
Dpod4 said:
I love my Kondo SUT. It is the premium with top of line silver wire. My Goldfinger Statement into the Kondo then into the airtight ate-2001 reference MM input is the best the Goldfinger has ever sounded (compared to other SUTs I have demoed like the Ypsilon SUT; and compared to straight into my ARC Ref2se MC or MM.
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How did the Kondo sound vs the Ypsilon?
 
FlexibleAudio said:
Thanks all for the comments.

Dpod, I think the silver is like $13K compared to the copper which is about $4K. Did you audition the copper??
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I didn't. I bought the silver used demo from a dealer sight unseen.
 
XV-1 said:
How did the Kondo sound vs the Ypsilon?
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Ypsilon had severe hum issues in my system. And I felt it sucked some life/air and stage width/height out of the system. It had a nice musical organic grounding effect (anchoring the notes to the center of the earth is what I thought at first listen...brought a sense of order to things). But the Kondo is better to my ears in every way with my gear and system.
 
To clarify, the above post was regarding number votes received (based on comments on this thread) not ranking. Ranking would be:

First Place - Kondo (with three votes)
Second Place - Allnic (with two votes)
Third Place - Doshi (with one vote)

Any other opinions???
 
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