CES news 2014

[Rhapsody]

Unbelievable that they still use the 801 aka the washing maschine.
That sound is far away from the current B&W sound.

[/CENTER]

The reason that we used our several year old laboratory test 801's, which dip below .5 ohms, was that we had a few customers that we were showing the drive capabilities of the 50 Watt SET Kagura amplifiers. We sold one pair of Kaguaras because of this setup and have another sale pending. The buying customers understood that if the Kagura could drive the 15" 801 woofers that they could easily drive more efficient loads.

Yes, we demonstrated at the show for the masses and the press, but we were there to sell equipment as well.

 

[Mike]

Bob - that was quite a demonstration. Those amps, albeit expensive, were just awesome. So rich and beautiful sounding.

 

[Rhapsody]

Hmmm--Wonder why the Kondo Field Coil was not used?


Bruce

Basically answered this question with my other post, but for those that are interested, the Kagura amplifiers will be in NYC at Rhapsody Music and Cinema driving the Magico S5's and Raidho D3's in about a week, once they are shipped from back from CES. We also have a pair of Raidho D5's on order that we will be also driving with the Kaguras in about three months. Of course all are welcome to come in for a listen.

 

[Rhapsody]

Bob - that was quite a demonstration. Those amps, albeit expensive, were just awesome. So rich and beautiful sounding.

Thx....I :heart: the Kagura amplifiers and I am honored to represent Kondo. Besides the gear the Kondo people are VERY special.

 

[dev]

The reason that we used our several year old laboratory test 801's, which dip below .5 ohms, was that we had a few customers that we were showing the drive capabilities of the 50 Watt SET Kagura amplifiers. We sold one pair of Kaguaras because of this setup and have another sale pending. The buying customers understood that if the Kagura could drive the 15" 801 woofers that they could easily drive more efficient loads.

Yes, we demonstrated at the show for the masses and the press, but we were there to sell equipment as well.

Hi Bob,

very interesting indeed, I haven't heard this model can you shed some light on their strengths and the reason for their existence. Designed to compete against what? Very nice looking, nice product line to carry.

 

[Bruce]

Basically answered this question with my other post, but for those that are interested, the Kagura amplifiers will be in NYC at Rhapsody Music and Cinema driving the Magico S5's and Raidho D3's in about a week, once they are shipped from back from CES. We also have a pair of Raidho D5's on order that we will be also driving with the Kaguras in about three months. Of course all are welcome to come in for a listen.

Thank you for the Reply--point taken-that impedance drop reminded me of my Watt 2's!

I agree Kondo is magic

B

 

[dev]

Bob - that was quite a demonstration. Those amps, albeit expensive, were just awesome. So rich and beautiful sounding.

There was allot more going on in this set-up than just the amps them self's, curious how was the stage presentation overall, did they actually control these speakers appropriately without being strained. Were they pushed at any point, how was the low end control

 

[Rhapsody]

Hi Bob,

very interesting indeed, I haven't heard this model can you shed some light on their strengths and the reason for their existence. Designed to compete against what? Very nice looking, nice product line to carry.

The Kagura is flagship Kondo amplifiers that were shown at CES last week in final production mode. We demonstrated the Kagura at CES 2013 and at Munich 2013 as well as the NYC audio show, but at all three shows the Kaguras that were demonstrated were pre-production models. The Kaguaras are now shipping to customers. I have a pair coming to a customer on Long Island in February and the Kaguras that were at CES last week will be our demo models at Rhapsody.

The Kagura is now the flagship model of Kondo. The Kagura monos retail for $194K/pair. The Gakuon II used to be the Kondo flagship mono amplifiers. They still exist and are $154K/pair.

There is a fairly complete description of the Kagura at Kagura | AUDIO NOTE

 

[Rhapsody]

There was allot more going on in this set-up than just the amps them self's, curious how was the stage presentation overall, did they actually control these speakers appropriately without being strained. Were they pushed at any point, how was the low end control

Mike, you might want to comment on what you heard, I don't want to be "selling" hereeace:

I would say that everyone knows that the 801's are "yesteryear speakers", BUT I can honestly say that personally there were a lot of things that the 801's did NOT due in terms of resolution and transparency that many new speakers excel at, BUT, again personally I was quite taken with the overall sound of the combination of the Kagura amps driving those big 15" woofers....I loved the sound, it was warm, rich, clear, with very good soundstaging and to these ears in four days of being in the room I never felt like the amps were being pushed or that the Kaguras were not controlling the bass. The combination made beautiful deep, full bodied music that was a joy to listen to. The $100K Ginga II TT did not hurt the situation.

 

[Zero]

Absolare,

Resolution is nice and all, but a system can't 'get down', then what's the freakin' point? I'm sure the room sounded wonderful.

 

[Audioseduction]

WOW! Look at those CES girls!

 

[Rhapsody]

Absolare,

Resolution is nice and all, but a system can't 'get down', then what what's the freakin' point? I'm sure the room sounded wonderful.

You should have heard Michael Jackson-Billie Jean on this system...talk about getting down...yikes!

 

[dev]

The Kagura is flagship Kondo amplifiers that were shown at CES last week in final production mode. We demonstrated the Kagura at CES 2013 and at Munich 2013 as well as the NYC audio show, but at all three shows the Kaguras that were demonstrated were pre-production models. The Kaguaras are now shipping to customers. I have a pair coming to a customer on Long Island in February and the Kaguras that were at CES last week will be our demo models at Rhapsody.

The Kagura is now the flagship model of Kondo. The Kagura monos retail for $194K/pair. The Gakuon II used to be the Kondo flagship mono amplifiers. They still exist and are $154K/pair.

There is a fairly complete description of the Kagura at Kagura | AUDIO NOTE

Hi Bob, thanks I wasn't aware. At that asking price they better be special, makes my ownership of Vac Statement 450's rather sane The Gina table was actually on my short list but AF-1 more so, went with the later.

Look forward to hearing a pair of these.

 

[socfan12]

The reason that we used our several year old laboratory test 801's, which dip below .5 ohms, was that we had a few customers that we were showing the drive capabilities of the 50 Watt SET Kagura amplifiers. We sold one pair of Kaguaras because of this setup and have another sale pending. The buying customers understood that if the Kagura could drive the 15" 801 woofers that they could easily drive more efficient loads.

Yes, we demonstrated at the show for the masses and the press, but we were there to sell equipment as well.

Ah, there is a method to the madness! Sounds like a winning combination, Bob, congrats! :coolyeah:

 

[Rhapsody]

Hi Bob, thanks I wasn't aware. At that asking price they better be special, makes my ownership of Vac Statement 450's rather sane The Gina table was actually on my short list but AF-1 more so, went with the later.

Look forward to hearing a pair of these.

I LOVE your system!!!!!

 

[dev]

I LOVE your system!!!!!

Thanks, I'm very happy indeed.

Kondo is a very nice line to have

 

[Rhapsody]

There was a room like that at RMAF too.

Duplicate post

 

[Rhapsody]

I like the view from your window!

Ya know....I am in the process, sometime in the next month or two of shipping and installing a complete Goldmund system to a customer in Toronto. Would LOVE to hear your system!!!!!

 

[Mike]

Mike, you might want to comment on what you heard, I don't want to be "selling" hereeace:

I would say that everyone knows that the 801's are "yesteryear speakers", BUT I can honestly say that personally there were a lot of things that the 801's did NOT due in terms of resolution and transparency that many new speakers excel at, BUT, again personally I was quite taken with the overall sound of the combination of the Kagura amps driving those big 15" woofers....I loved the sound, it was warm, rich, clear, with very good soundstaging and to these ears in four days of being in the room I never felt like the amps were being pushed or that the Kaguras were not controlling the bass. The combination made beautiful deep, full bodied music that was a joy to listen to. The $100K Ginga II TT did not hurt the situation.

Bob - you nailed it. They are the tube amp equivalent of the MBL 101 Xtremes. Just on another level completely.

 

[Mike]

Ya know....I am in the process, sometime in the next month or two of shipping and installing a complete Goldmund system to a customer in Toronto. Would LOVE to hear your system!!!!!

He lives in Toronto? If so....I may join you all.