新玩具

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-6-25 21:13
AN Jinro indeed shares nearly identical schematic with AN Onkagu. The major difference is on the m ...

Yes, I know a bit about the history of Audionote Japan and ANUK, but it is good to learn more about the Jinro. I think I know a few friends who are using this amp. Because of the different chassis finishes available, I am unsure if they are different models or optional like cars.

In general, both Kondo and ANUK share a lot of history and design concept, both brands do have its own fans and supporters.

What I personally like about Kondo is its speed and response, which are crucial in reproducing music more lively.

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-6-26 05:35
Yes, I know a bit about the history of Audionote Japan and ANUK, but it is good to learn more abou ...

Hiroyasu Kondo was simply a legend in audio world and his working philosophy of creating nothing but only the best of the best was very respectful. Products from Kondo are more like an art. I really hope Ashizawa Masaki can continue with the tradition of Kondo Audio Note and sustain the company.

On the other hand, Peter Qvortrup of Audio Note UK is more like Mark Levinson. Both are wonderful businessman with "golden ears" who know marketing well. The Performance Level System adopted by AN is an excellent example for illustration: same chassis and schematic are used in Ongaku, Tomei and Jinro. The major difference among them is on the materials used. All silver for Ongaku, silver plus copper for Tomei and all copper for Jinro. As a result, not only different sonic quality caused by the use of different materials but also very different price tags. Clever erh?

Going back to Jinro, it is indeed not a bad machine and has a good value-for-money IMHO. As I am using horn speakers, I decided to try out this Baby Ongaku with all copper inside lest the sound may become too "bright" for an all silver version.  Ironically, I incline to use silver cables, be it pure silver or silver plated copper, connecting all components in my system

So far the result is not bad but may need more time to run it in and get the optimal point with other components in my system.

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-6-26 06:51
Hiroyasu Kondo was simply a legend in audio world and his working philosophy of creating nothing bu ...

I think both products try to aim at different market sectors. ANUK covers much wider spectrum whilst ANJ focuses more on the ultra high end.

Neither is right non wrong, more about its own philosophy and resources available. ANJ is trying to keep Kondo san's legacy and maintaining the niche and exotic preference.

I was told the silver that Kondo uses is of certain grade that requires ageing, so it is never bright and ear piercing like others. Have you tried or compared to ANUK cables?

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-6-26 09:28
I think both products try to aim at different market sectors. ANUK covers much wider spectrum whil ...

Neither silver component nor silver cable from ANUK should be too bright for most system or speakers. Having said that, I decided to take Jinro mainly because of, IMHO, better value-for-money and the characteristics of my horn speakers.

Indeed, I am a strong believer of material science and consider some materials are better in nature for electronic use. That's why I like to DIY cables employing different structures and materials for fun.


Btw, the silver used in Kondo cables is sourced, as far as I understand, from an Italian company.

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-6-26 10:30
Neither silver component nor silver cable from ANUK should be too bright for most system or speaker ...

Yes, I have been told about the silver from Italy. The latest interconnects have interesting construction with silk. They do sound warm yet having great resolution.

To my ears, silver in Kondo adds more dynamics and impact.

I remember the Neiro I had, which is a copper 2A3 amp



But comparing it to the later Souga, all silver 2A3 amp, the difference is huge and much more dynamic.

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-6-26 17:31
Yes, I have been told about the silver from Italy. The latest interconnects have interesting const ...

Wow,

You are definitely a "Kondo Man" !
Btw, I have picked up a pair of KR211 tube today.

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-6-26 17:46
Wow,

You are definitely a "Kondo Man" !

some pics to show their figures will be nice!

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-6-26 18:50
some pics to show their figures will be nice!

Of course

Have you tried all models of Kondo amp?

Which one do you consider the best, from the perspective of playing all kinds of music like Jazz, Classical and Vocal?

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-6-26 20:59
Of course

Have you tried all models of Kondo amp?

Haha, that is a tough question to answer.

Since 2007 when I first tasted the sound of Ongaku and bought one, my hifi journey got totally re-routed to a new dimension. From there on I have been on a 不歸路. Single ended, flea power, high efficient horn, full range concentric drivers....

Unlike most brands, Kondo tries to offer amps with different characteristics based on classic tubes from the golden era. Taking on toughest challenges in production, cost no object mentality, offering something that is perpetually lasting, just like fine furniture or Swiss watches.

Of course Ongaku is the best known model and it is still one of the best amps in the world. It has a place in my heart for many reasons. The amp has the soul of Kondo.

Neiro is my second amp and is less costly. It did a wonder job with some speakers like Tannoy GRF and Westminster. Being a smaller package and the sound from 2A3 is so heavenly and musical.

After Nerio, I got myself the 300B based Gakuoh mono



They are not just great with vocal and strings but powerful enough to play full orchestral music or even rocks, if you have the high efficient horns like Avantgarde Trio. To me Gakuoh is one of my favourite...

To be continue...

Save

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ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-6-27 07:46
Haha, that is a tough question to answer.

Since 2007 when I first tasted the sound of Ongaku and  ...

Simply by looking at the pictures of your Kondo already made my day !

Looking forward to reading your part 2

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-6-27 08:43
Simply by looking at the pictures of your Kondo already made my day !

Looking forward to reading y ...

Like to see your story/journey of the new toy so far, more pics please!

I remember visiting a friend who has this..., do you have the same model?

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-6-28 05:44
Like to see your story/journey of the new toy so far, more pics please!

I remember visiting a fri ...

It appears that your friend has a Jinro Shochu from AN. It is basically a Jinro Integrated, i.e. my toy, without the volume and selector switch. It should also run on XLR instead of RCA. Otherwise, they are indeed the same machine.

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-6-28 14:58
It appears that your friend has a Jinro Shochu from AN. It is basically a Jinro Integrated, i.e. my ...

Good to have an expert like you to show us all the differences.

Anymore updates on your thought about the new toy you have for a few weeks. How about the new KR211 tubes doing? Some porn shots on your amps to share will be nice!

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-6-29 05:42
Good to have an expert like you to show us all the differences.

Anymore updates on your thought  ...

I am not an expert indeed. Simply an old guy who like listening to fine music.

While the KR211 tubes are still running-in, I am rather sure that they are better than Psvane WE211 but the improvement is not so significant when upgrading to Psvane from the stock tube.

The KR211 enhances all frequency range at the same time to more or less the same degree. It sounds strange but is real that you do not feel the improvements until you switch back to Psvane only to find that you actually miss quite a lot.

That said, one thing I do not quite like the KR211 is that it is so dim that you do not actually feel you have powered on the  Jinro. I guess the main reason behind is that KR211 has a wider maximum operation margin than many tube. Take Elrog211 as an example. Despite the DC Plate Voltage of both ER211 and KR211 is 1250V, the Plate Dissaption is 75W (ER) vs 100W(KR) and the DC Plate Current is 60mA(ER) vs 90mA(KR). Of course, this wider margin may not have correlation with sonic quality, but at least it is an indicator that KR tube should probably be more reliable in theory.

ww129

A little bit disappointed by the dim light

Indeed, even the GE7044 is brighter than the KR211.

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-5-28 20:42
One More:

Is this the Psvane tube? With the photo, I got the impression that was copper chassis. The Kondo Ongaku stock tubes are look-alike, could be Psvane relabelled!

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-7-1 11:32
Is this the Psvane tube? With the photo, I got the impression that was copper chassis. The Kondo O ...

Notwithstanding that the stock 211 tube of AN Jinro is labelled Electro Harmonix, it should be OEM from Shunguang.

I may be wrong but I always have the impression that Kondo comes with GE VT4C as stock tube.

Btw, I was given a single NOS 12AU7 by a friend on the other day. The tube has 12AU7 imprinted on the glass but without any brand name. It has a very short plate, triple mica and the square disc getter is supported by two poles. My friend told me that it has been in his drawer for over 25 years and is a stock tube of Audio Space. I suppose it is an old shunguang or 桂光. I have put it on the Jinro and, to my surprise, it sounds quite good and airy.

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-7-1 14:03
Notwithstanding that the stock 211 tube of AN Jinro is labelled Electro Harmonix, it should be OEM  ...

Even Kondo's stock of GE VT4C is long gone and they have been getting EH as stock knowing most users would have or will get something else!

Actually even the rectifiers are worth getting something better.

Luckily, I have collected a few for that special moment!





and these....

ww129

JCR33 發表於 2018-7-1 18:02
Even Kondo's stock of GE VT4C is long gone and they have been getting EH as stock knowing most use ...

I am using a pair of Tung Sol 5R4WGB as rectifier.

Can you suggest other suitable replacements that worth trying ?

JCR33

ww129 發表於 2018-7-1 19:38
I am using a pair of Tung Sol 5R4WGB as rectifier.

Can you suggest other suitable replacements t ...

I think Kondo is using different rectifiers, you better check with other ANUK users.