Kondo Ongaku Pre KSL-M77

[jazzhead]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

I almost pulled the trigger on a SM 101 monoblocks plus SL 102 preamplifier just to try some serious Class A SS amps but the Kondo stuff made more sense long term.
I don't know if it is true but all the second hand dealers told me to avoid Vitus as it wasn't too reliable. Love the sound though. Warmer than solution.

Howie

Never had a reliability problem with my Vitus gear (Touch Wood). Yes they are fussy about power cords and cables , but once you get them singing they really soar . Will be passing thru HKG on the 9th , plan to drop in at the Jadis room to audition the 4 box Wadia separates + Boulder 3050 (186k USD ) + Wilson Alex V2. Have been told it is serious set-up . Can you think of any other worthwhile rigs to audition ?

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by jazzhead

Never had a reliability problem with my Vitus gear (Touch Wood). Yes they are fussy about power cords and cables , but once you get them singing they really soar . Will be passing thru HKG on the 9th , plan to drop in at the Jadis room to audition the 4 box Wadia separates + Boulder 3050 (186k USD ) + Wilson Alex V2. Have been told it is serious set-up . Can you think of any other worthwhile rigs to audition ?

Their MBL reference series is always nice to audition. Go to the 9th floor and check out the SF Amati Futuras and new AR amps. 4th Floor Lamm and Magico and Spectral and FM Acoustics.

[TommyC]

Howie, any update on the M77 + Ongaku?

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by TommyC

Howie, any update on the M77 + Ongaku?

They are both settling in nicely. The difference with and without the M77 is night and day. With the M77 I can dial in the type of sound I want using the volume switch on the Ongaku.

The higher the Ongaku gain, the fuller and denser the sound. 1 o'clock is about the mximum that I dial in the Obgaku volume. At about 9 o'clock the sound is a little more delicate but with less body. It has become quite fun changing it around depending not only the album but on the song being played.

However in general the 12'oclock position is my favourite. The M77 turns what is comparatively a 2 dimensional sound into a all enveloping and 3 dimensional bounty. Of course just the Ongaku is an incredible experience but somehow the M77 improves upon that. I experienced the same phenomenon a couple of years ago and it is exactly the same. I guess an active preamp is still my preferred way of getting a signal into a power amp. A passive preamp section just doesn't have the buffering, impedance tolereance and gain like that of an active preamp.

Whilst I still wonder what a high sensitivity speaker like the Westminsters could do in my room I have to say that the strads sound wonderful. Dynamics are to die for, voices poking out of the darkness and music, pure music just flowing forth. It is almost like reaching an epiphany.

I always remember Tommy Lee Jones Face at the end of space cowboys where he is lying on the moon content and smiling with not a care in the world.

Yup, that's me!
(minus the terminal disease or rapidly depleting oxygen...)

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

whilst i still wonder what a high sensitivity speaker like the westminsters could do in my room .....

westminsters ...

westminsters .....

westminsters !!!

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by jscc

westminsters ...

westminsters .....

westminsters !!!

buy two pairs get one free!

[JohnThomas]

Originally Posted by JSCC

westminsters ...

westminsters .....

westminsters !!!

Howie is aweful quiet. I think he going to suprise us.

[TommyC]

Howie's Strad looks better, and it's much more collectible.

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

buy two pairs get one free!

Yup, Good Idea!

One pair for you,

One pair for Ivan,

And the FREE pair for me!

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by JohnThomas

Howie is aweful quiet. I think he going to suprise us.

I wish that were true. The truth is I am not really finding anything wrong with this combo. The strads are singing beautifully. Of course ignorance is bliss but I won't have a chance to demo them with the Westminsters so it would be a stab in the dark.

Mainly, I am quiet because the sound is capturing my attention more.