Kondo vs Air Tight

Jerry Seh

Jerry Seh

New member
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Messages
247
Location
Singapore
These days I've been listening to a lot of Japanese tube amps as they all seem to be very well made as well as driving the Avantgarde Acoustics Mezzo G2's very well.

Yes, I am looking around for a refreshing change.

The Kondo Ongaku is well up there in performance and price. However, there seem to be some "lower end" stuff that are very near to its performance, well, albeit personal taste and perception does play a part.

The two combos that made an impression are:

1. Air Tight ATE2001 Phonostage/Pre + 211 Power (Mono Amp 22watts)
2. Kondao G70 + Souga (Stereo 8 watts) + KSL-FSz

Of course, the Kondo does cost more, but this is not the factor, its about the performance. And although the power seem small, driving the Avantgardes at 107DB really is more than enough.

Anyone had the chance to listen to these side by side and a comparison? I am hard pressed to choose. Both are of the minimal school in design, no remote capability whatsoever, does help to burn some calories when switching source or tweaking listening volume and less of being a "couch potato".

Care to share your thoughts and experience?

Cheers!
 
Jerry Seh said:
These days I've been listening to a lot of Japanese tube amps as they all seem to be very well made as well as driving the Avantgarde Acoustics Mezzo G2's very well.

Yes, I am looking around for a refreshing change.

The Kondo Ongaku is well up there in performance and price. However, there seem to be some "lower end" stuff that are very near to its performance, well, albeit personal taste and perception does play a part.

The two combos that made an impression are:

1. Air Tight ATE2001 Phonostage/Pre + 211 Power (Mono Amp 22watts)
2. Kondao G70 + Souga (Stereo 8 watts) + KSL-FSz

Of course, the Kondo does cost more, but this is not the factor, its about the performance. And although the power seem small, driving the Avantgardes at 107DB really is more than enough.

Anyone had the chance to listen to these side by side and a comparison? I am hard pressed to choose. Both are of the minimal school in design, no remote capability whatsoever, does help to burn some calories when switching source or tweaking listening volume and less of being a "couch potato".

Care to share your thoughts and experience?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Not side by side Jerry. Bu the Air tight is a lot more full sounding and mellow. The kondo is much more dynamic. Mcintosh vs Linn if you know what I mean.

howie
 
Jerry...I missed your transition from the Meridian speakers to the Avangarde! Congrats! When did this happen?
 
Mike said:
Jerry - any update on your pending system change?
Click to expand...

Hi Mike & Guys,

Sorry I was slow to update as last Wed, I had my gall bladder removed. Ouch. Now recovering at home.

For a start, I have moved to the following gears which is basically shown in my signature. However, they are yet to be delivered. If according to plan, it will be sometime late next week thru early the week of 14/15 July.

As for the amps, I have yet to decide and since I have the small Avantgarde Integrated Amplifer, I will use that for now while evaluating the various options available. For sure, its an expensive buy and I would want to make it a lasting one (what a word .... lasting ..... ).

The rebuilt Thorens TD125 with the SME M2-12R had also arrived and true to the word, it is a very well done! To ensure the side of the platter does not tarnish, I had it sprayed with a clear coat of automotive lacquer.

Promise I will post pictures when its all up and running.

Cheers!
 
First & Foremost, I am recovering well from my operation. In addition, thru God's grace, I was given cured of a possible cancer infection, starting from the gall bladder (which was removed) and hence the spread stopped. Blood and biopsy tests revealed I am clean, blood, cells and organs!

The Meridian MD600 & MS600 arrived. Beautiful gears and very well built. I am now restoring the 4TB x 2 HDD that comes with it, all my music files. Based on past experience, should take about 2 to 2.5 days. The Oppo BDP105 (Silver) has yet to be delivered. I am on the waiting list from same dealer who sold me the Meridian Combo.

Meanwhile, I bought a used but very mint Wadia S7i CD/SACD player. Bought in late 2012 by the original owner who has now upgraded to the dCS Vivaldi stack. Its seldom played, so kinda new. This is also a special customer ordered piece where the pillars are whitish grey instead of the usual dark grey colour. I know to pay US$10k for a used player is kinda high, but given the "newness", condition as well as its STILL a very respectable player, I had to have it. After al, this is way cheaper than the Esoteric K-01 & G-01 combo I originally planned to have. The monies saved would go to my other plan for a upgrade to the current little amplifier. This would be the 3rd gear in the usage list, starting with my turntables (2 of them and 3 arms), then the Meridian Digital Media System.

Amplifier for now would be Avantgarde Model 3 Integrated Amplifier. BUT I am planning to purchase the Avantgarde X Series Pre/Power combo sometime at the end of the year when I am able to convince my wife to let me buy them. Not cheap at close to US$32k for the set (but of course, nothing as compared to stuff like D'Agostino's latest creations). I have seen, touch and heard them thru my speakers, the Avantgarde Mezzo G2's and I must say, they ARE very good and superbly well built - at least to the price point. I will have them custom made with matching wood front panels with my speakers. And a proud owner with my name engraved on both the pre and power.

The speakers, Aesthetix RHEA Signature Phono Stage and Kondo cables will come next week Friday, all at once. So, in summary, by Saturday next week, I should have my new system up and running - with the integrated amp first. I will post pictures of them when fully set up.

So much for the news. And yes, I am thankful to God who had given me a chance to continue living, enjoy the good things in life, especially music thru this new combo - probably the last system I would own. Probably ....


Cheers
 
First & Foremost, I am recovering well from my operation. In addition, thru God's grace, I was cured off a possible cancerous infection, starting from the gall bladder (which was removed) and hence the spread stopped. Blood and biopsy tests revealed I am clean, blood, cells and organs!

The Meridian MD600 & MS600 arrived. Beautiful gears and very well built. I am now restoring the 4TB x 2 HDD that comes with it, all my music files. Based on past experience, should take about 2 to 2.5 days. The Oppo BDP105 (Silver) has yet to be delivered. I am on the waiting list from same dealer who sold me the Meridian Combo.

Meanwhile, I bought a used but very mint Wadia S7i CD/SACD player. Bought in late 2012 by the original owner who has now upgraded to the dCS Vivaldi stack. Its seldom played, so kinda new. This is also a special customer ordered piece where the pillars are whitish grey instead of the usual dark grey colour. I know to pay US$10k for a used player is kinda high, but given the "newness", condition as well as its STILL a very respectable player, I had to have it. After al, this is way cheaper than the Esoteric K-01 & G-01 combo I originally planned to have. The monies saved would go to my other plan for a upgrade to the current little amplifier. This would be the 3rd gear in the usage list, starting with my turntables (2 of them and 3 arms), then the Meridian Digital Media System.

Amplifier for now would be Avantgarde Model 3 Integrated Amplifier. BUT I am planning to purchase the Avantgarde X Series Pre/Power combo sometime at the end of the year when I am able to convince my wife to let me buy them. Not cheap at close to US$32k for the set (but of course, nothing as compared to stuff like D'Agostino's latest creations). I have seen, touch and heard them thru my speakers, the Avantgarde Mezzo G2's and I must say, they ARE very good and superbly well built - at least to the price point. I will have them custom made with matching wood front panels with my speakers. And a proud owner with my name engraved on both the pre and power.

The speakers, Aesthetix RHEA Signature Phono Stage and Kondo cables will come next week Friday, all at once. So, in summary, by Saturday next week, I should have my new system up and running - with the integrated amp first. I will post pictures of them when fully set up.

So much for the news. And yes, I am thankful to God who had given me a chance to continue living, enjoy the good things in life, especially music thru this new combo - probably the last system I would own. Probably ....


Cheers
 
Wow Jerry sorry to hear of your health issues , glad everything is good and your felling better!!
And congrats on some fine gear!!! I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on it, when its all put together.
 
Jerry, great to hear you are well & have a new lease on life. The best of health to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top