Ongaku First Impressions

[JSCC]

Howie, simply FANTASTIC!

So, whats next besides cables rolling? M100 Mk II on the way?

Like I said before, you have raised the bar again on STEREO listening!

Congratulations!

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by JSCC

Howie, simply FANTASTIC!

So, whats next besides cables rolling? M100 Mk II on the way?

Like I said before, you have raised the bar again on STEREO listening!

Congratulations!

Jerry, cable rolling is just for fun and possible only if its costs me nothing.

I lost one of my nine lives getting the Martens so no upgrade for the M77 for now which is fine because it's not too shabby a preamp anyway

Having just had a health check, I am still hesitant to plug in the Nordost Odin PC!

howie

[FranklinLG]

Howiebrou,

All kidding aside, that really was incredible. Can you share some about what the set-up includes? Candidly, I can't make out much, other than maybe what looks like an Avid table and the Kondo.

And the music - spectacular. What was the format for Ladysmith Black Mombazo "Amazing Grace"? And what was the related equipment (Dac or TT+Cart)?

Thanks! And congratulations! Really incredible!

[FranklinLG]

Oh, let me add, the wood finish on those speakers looks amazing!

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by FranklinLG

Howiebrou,

All kidding aside, that really was incredible. Can you share some about what the set-up includes? Candidly, I can't make out much, other than maybe what looks like an Avid table and the Kondo.

And the music - spectacular. What was the format for Ladysmith Black Mombazo "Amazing Grace"? And what was the related equipment (Dac or TT+Cart)?

Thanks! And congratulations! Really incredible!

Absolutely.

Avid Acutus TT with Van den Hul Colibri XGP cartridge or Benz LP connected with the Audio Research Ref 2 Phono with a Siltech G6 Avondale din to rca cable.

Audio Research Ref 2 Phono with Crystal Ultra PC sitting on a TAOC board.

Meridian Sooloos C15 Core plus 2 twinstores with twin 2GB drives in each connected through rubbish Cat 5E cables with the Meridian 808.3 iwth ID40 card which acts as the DAC for the Sooloos. 808.3 connected to Kondo M77 Ongaku Preamp with cheap Accuphase rca cables currently whilst I look for a pair of Crystal Ultra rcas. 808.3 sits on Finite Elemente Cerapucs.

Kondo Ongaku M77 Preamp with Crystal Ultra PC and connected to Kondo Ongaku integrated amp with Crystal Reference rcas. Preamp sits on Harmonix 666 Million feet. Sits on a TAOC board.

Kondo Ongaku integrated amp with Kondo PC / Crystal Ultra sitting on Finite Elemente Cerabases.

Purepower 2000 connected to wall with Furutech PC with Rhodium plugs.

Everything is connected to the PP at the moment and sits on Silent Running Audio Craz Rack.

Marten Coltrane II speakers connected with Crystal Ultra Speaker Cables (not bi wired). Jumpers are Jorma Prime.

Amazing grace was off the Sooloos but to be honest if you play the cd in the 808.3 it sounds even better. I have not found an LP version yet!

Hope that helps!

howie

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by FranklinLG

Oh, let me add, the wood finish on those speakers looks amazing!

Its walnut and I love it. The Martens also look great in Oak but maple and piano black don't suit these models as much imho.

[FranklinLG]

I figured it was walnut. I have oil finished walnut floors and love them. It's such an amazing wood, and it's finish is so timeless.

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by howiebrou

Jerry, cable rolling is just for fun and possible only if its costs me nothing.

I lost one of my nine lives getting the Martens so no upgrade for the M77 for now which is fine because it's not too shabby a preamp anyway

Having just had a health check, I am still hesitant to plug in the Nordost Odin PC!

howie

Howie, Howie, used up only ONE live, you still have 8!

That means, 8 equivalent Coltrane II costs gears .... thats great! The Kondo M1000 MkII does not cost more than the Coltrane II.

You can also add ANOTHER one more Ongaku for bi-amping. Thats another life perhaps. 6 to go.

The Jorma cables costs far less - even if its one more life, you have 5 to go!

By the time, you finished the 8 lives, you have one left to enjoy the music from the SUPER, SUPER system! Go for it ....

For "safety reasons", use up to 7 ... so you have 2 life's to buffer yourself for what Hillary will do to you!

Seriously, you have ONE SUPER system now. I am trying to play catch up ... much later!

[TommyC]

Howie, the new Kondo flagship preamp is coming out next year. It's the G1000. It's slightly cheaper than the M1000mk2.

2012 CES, Part V: Kondo Audio Note, Dionysus, Avantgarde, Pathos, Vienna Acoustics, Davone, NTT Audio Lab, Piega, Meridian - Event Reports - Dagogo

[FranklinLG]

Howie,

You might consider swapping the location of the TT and your Ongaku, as the transformers from the Ongaku may impact your tonearm and cartridge with its electrical fields, as they are typically closer when positioned as you have them now. Just a thought.