The Best Audiophile Cables You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

We first came across Audiomica from a review in 6Moons. The review really impressed us so we asked for some samples and they truly surprised us in their performance. In fact they sounded better than anything else we had ever heard and they rest is history. These cables really allowed our reference system to shine. No sweetening or smoothing off the higher frequencies, no artificial bass lift, all the leading edges in the right place at the right time, truly excellent stuff. Then the biggest surprise came when we found out the price, Audiomica’s top of the line cables were less expensive than our previous reference cables.  

In addition to the many good cable companies, the HiFi cable and interconnect industry is full of performance claims and counter claims, hype, clever marketing and some would say smoke and mirrors. What struck us about the Audiomica cables is that they are plain musical and you forget about the equipment and want to just listen to music. 

Audiomica Laboratory Introduction

Audiomica has been present in the audiophile market for more than twelve years, at first as hobbyists and now as a manufacturing and trading company. After the years of research, they found out that the quality of audio cables is not only affected by such obvious aspects as the kind of conductor, weave, screen and the composition of raw material but also by the filtration of a signal. That is why the unique filters have been developed in their Laboratory.

Idea, design, research, listening

Every single process of creation begins with an idea. In this aspect we are receptive to suggestions of our workers, indirect clients and target consumers. It results in numerous innovative projects which very often evolve into totally new products or upgrades for already existing ones. Should you have any suggestions which you would like to share with them, please write tol: laboratory@audiomica.com.

Their long-standing experience in hi-fi cables manufacturing has taught them that there is always some space for improvement and doing something better. If there are people who suppose otherwise, they are certainly wrong. New technologies, brilliant notions, inventions… They keep their finger on the pulse.

A design phase is inextricably linked with research. They do most of the development research on their own. Moreover, they consistently extend their research base and incorporate new companies which closely cooperate with Audiomica Laboratory. The companies give them access to measuring equipment and newest technologies which are unobtainable for them.

Theory not always goes hand in hand with practice and thus after the laboratory research all the prototypes go to their listening room. In this room the final verification takes place. After this practical session, the prototypes go again through all the preproduction stages: idea, design, research and finally back to the listening room. Their analysis shows that only 20% of the prototypes successfully go through all the preproduction stages.

Despite the fact that they own plenty of listening equipment in a properly adopted acoustic room, they have also decided to lend the prototypes to a test group. They have practiced it since they introduced their Excellence Series. After they receive feedback  from their test group, they implement all necessary changes and send the improved versions back for further evaluation. Tests carried out in over twenty different hi-fi systems resulted in an award from High Fidelity Magazine: Best Product 2012. The list of testers is not closed yet and we successively widen their number at each Warsaw Audio Show.

Conductors, raw materials

Audiomica Laboratory make their cables of silver and copper, as well as of alloys and electroplated variants of the aforementioned metals. The choice is dependent on many factors of which the most important ones are the kind and accuracy of a transmitted signal. Materials for a particular cable are chosen by trial and error which is obviously time consuming, but it is actually the only way to create a final product which will be able to match our expectations. The list of raw materials used by Audiomica Laboratory:

OCC-N6 and N7

Ohno Continuous Casting is the process of copper production whereby the number of crystals in a conductor is reduced. In OCC process the wire is slowly pulled out from melted metal. It allows to obtain copper of which single crystals are over 100 meters long. The copper produced in this way is also characterized by high purity.

The process was worked out by professor Ohno from Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan and patented in 1986. There are only a few companies which produce cables using this method. In OCC process the wire is pulled out more slowly that in conventional processes which consequently increases the cost of production. Copper produced in OCC process is considered to be the best type of conductor in respect of quality.

N6 and N7 stand for the purity of copper which amounts 99,9997 and 99,99997% respectively. Impurities constitute barely twenty/millionths. Due to really huge costs of OCC-N7 copper, we use it only in the top cables of Consequence Series while OCC-N6 goes with Excellence Series.

Silver-plated

OCC, OFC and LGC copper wires are put through our original process of electroplating called DCP (Double Coating Process). The process is extensively described below. Given the physical properties of the signal flow (the signal flows on the surface of a wire), we practically get a silver conductor with all the sound advantages of silver and copper.

Silver alloy

Silver-copper alloy is our original technology which is not developed anymore. Huge implementation costs exceed sonic values which constitute a priority at designing new structures. The alloy has been used to produce two wires which make a conductive wire in two structures: Mica and Borax. The biggest advantage of this alloy is transparency of the sound. The structures are dedicated to the systems which do not require interfering in the tone of the sound.

Silver-HG

Electrolytic silver known also as technical silver and registered by KGHM HG is obtained from electrolytic purification of copper or by Parkes method in which the metal is sorted out from lead ore which contains a dash of silver. The metal obtained in this way is marked by excellent mechanical and electric properties. All the undesirable additives of other elements which may appear in this electrolytic silver significantly contribute to a deterioration in the sound quality. That is why, it is important to determine the origin and composition of the metal and fortunately KGHM company guarantees such verifications. A multi-wire structure of the conductor was applied inter alia in Rhod Reference interconnect. Very good or even perfect sonic values of this metal encourage us to introduce it to our new products in the future.

CU-ETP

Melted cathode copper known also as electrolytic copper (ETP: Electro Tough-Pitch) is copper of which purity is at least 99.90%, electrical conduction not less than 101% IACS and oxygen content as low as 0,02 to 0,04%. It is used mainly in the electrical and electro-technical industry. CU-ETP copper is highly plastic and resilient, it is used only in power cords of Black, Gray and Red Series.

LGC (Long Grain Copper)

The fact that the wire is pulled out slowly enables to extend the length of copper grains and reduce their number to 210 in one meter. Thanks to the lower number of crystals, electrons encounter a lower number of transitions and impurities on their way, hence a smaller quantity of information is lost. This kind of copper is called functionally perfect copper. Long Grain Copper allows to achieve smoother and purer sound compared with cables using ordinary OFC copper. LGC copper has a few decimal places lower oxygen contain, less impurity and superior microcrystal structure which altogether result in much better quality of sound and picture. We currently use this conductor in our HDMI cables.

OFC vs. OFHC

OFC is oxygen-free copper of high purity. The version used by Audiomica Laboratory is OFHC (Oxygen Free High Conductivity) N4 and N6 which has a lower level of impurity. This type of oxygen-free copper of high conductivity is ahead of OFC in terms of quality. Sonic differences in relation to OFC include more precise bass, larger isolation of instruments, better space expression and more distinct sound in high frequency sounds. This material is most frequently applied in Black and Gray Series.

Dielectrics and insulation

Each insulating material adhering to a conductor is actually only a part of an imperfect system. Cable insulation as well as printed circuit materials absorb energy which is partially lost in the conductor. The rest of this energy is kept and then released as distortions. Each type of insulation has different properties. It is obvious that air would be the best insulator but air insulation technology is unobtainable for the time being. The best dielectric in practice is Teflon and its variations. Teflon is very tough, light and resistant to high temperature, humidity and oxidization. Audiomica Laboratory uses both Teflon and its variations in the cables we produce. The properties of these dielectrics can be improved by letting gas or air bubbles inside (extruding). Through this process the material is filled with thousands of bubbles and in practice the conductor is to large extent surrounded by the air. The dielectrics are used not only to influence the quality of the sound through their dielectric properties but also because of the fact that each type of insulation may have an impact on the characteristics of the sound. In order to achieve the best possible result from each cable, it is important to match a certain cable to proper insulation. If we use extruded polythene, it will get quite the same measurable properties as Teflon but the sound will be different. Many other companies manufacturing cables use traditional insulators e.g. PVC. It is the cheapest and rather not good option. PVC used e.g. in interconnects has too large distortions to be applied in high quality cables. Audiomica Laboratory do not use PVC in the role of dielectric but only as an exterior layer which is insulated from the conductor by means of the aforementioned dielectric and a few other layers e.g. foil screens or multi-wire braids. PVC used as an outer coat provides flexibility of the whole structure which makes adapting the cable to a system easier. What is more, extruded PVC guarantees also some additional and highly desirable anti-vibration properties.

Audiomica Laboratory in 99% cases use extruded Teflon as an insulator. It is called FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene). The choice was obvious as it is the best insulator so far.

FEP material was invented and patented by Dupon company in 1960. It is a copolymer of fluorinated ethylene known also as TPFE (Teflon) invented as early as in 1938. So FEP is a modern version of Teflon. This polymer is characterized by high stiffness and resistance to tearing which make it especially useful for insulating cables and wires. It keeps its resistance and stiffness in high temperatures. It is also corrosion-proof and resistant to bending. The other excellent properties are: chemical resistance to all kinds of chemical substances, dielectric properties and low fraction coefficient. FEP material is chemically neutral.

Extruded Teflon comes into existence as a result of letting countless air bubbles inside and it is done due to the fact that the air is even better an insulator than Teflon alone. The only better one is a vacuum.

Plugs and solders

Our plugs are precisely plated with gold, silver or rhodium through the DCP electroplating process which one may find described above. The plugs are firmly connected to the cable with the best possible solder. Thanks to the choice of right flux and metallurgy process, soldering has been optimized in terms of joints smoothness which are now deprived of any deformations.

All the solder joints, including even silver solders, are poor conductors. There are some audible differences between different solders and they result from the quality of joints. Audiomica Laboratory soldering process does not use much silver because the more silver in solder, the more difficult it is to join two materials. Right proportions of main components and many other important details explain how it is possible that even as inexpensive cable as Beryl Gold can sound that good.

All the materials are painstakingly chosen in the process of a meticulous selection. The selection is based on electric correctness research, material purity research and sonic values.

Z-type BFA banana is a high quality banana plug with BFA ending made of copper-beryl alloy and plated with 24-carat gold or silver in the process of DCP electroplating. Z-type means in-length cut of a pin which results in perfect adherence of the whole surface of the plug to the socket. It is an uncompromising solution as the plug adhering to the socket with the whole surface does not increase electrical resistance. Signal flows with no interference. The precision of workmanship and the materials used for production assure crystal clear and interference free sound.

RCA and XLR plugs are most well known and widespread of all. They are usually made of copper or copper- beryl alloy. To increase mechanical and sonic values, Audiomica Laboratory plugs and pins are subject to a DCP process. The surface which is obtained in this way: gold-, silver- or rhodium-plated, protects copper from oxidation. Copper alone is soft which may cause the plug to widen to such extent that it will not fit the socket. The loss in mechanical property of the plugs is connected with the increase of resistance which translates into sound value losses.

Audiomica Laboratory uses many different plugs for most diverse connections. Rules of selection, the way of electroplating and kind of solder are the same. The aim is one and unchanging, to ensure lossless signal flow from the beginning to the end.

We use our original plugs in Black, Gray and Red Series. In higher lines: Excellence, Ultra Reference and our top line, Consequence, we use original or slightly modified WBT plugs.

Directionality and burn-in

There is this theory according to which a cable plugged in one direction should perform better than the same cable plugged in the opposite direction. The theory is called directionality. Our long experience in cable manufacturing does not allow us to explicitly declare directionality of a given structure. Even though listening tests lead to the conclusion which supports the theory of directionality, this theory seems to be invalidated by  experience. Many times our recommendations on how to plug a certain cable proved wrong in the client’s system. The influence of certain electronics and speakers is not always predictable and there is an infinite number of configurations to boot. The best way to choose the direction of a given cable is to plug it both ways and then select the option which suits you best.

The only cables which make an exception are cables with filters. But even here the rule may not always be valid and it is more a recommendation rather than a stiff principle. The filters are placed asymmetrically on cables i.e. the filter is closer to the plug on one side.  We recommend to use this side to plug a source of the sound in case of connection cables and to plug loudspeakers in case of speaker wires. But still these are only recommendations, not rules.

All new cables which are plugged to an audio-video system require so called burn-in process. It is very easy to state a difference between a new cable and the one which has played for 100 hours. New cables play brightly and bass sounds mechanical. Burn-in arranges the sound and makes it more flexible, in other words it defines the sound. It is difficult though to determine how long the process should last. The time needed for burning cables and improving the sound they carry depends on the structure of a cable and material used for its production. The biggest changes may be noticed at silver-plated cables with Teflon insulation. The burn-in time is also dependent on the system we use and the kind of music we listen to, plus how long we listen to music during the day. This time may differ and it ranges from 3 weeks to 3 months.

It is not without reason that we describe the two phenomena of directionality and burn-in together. After defining directionality of a certain cable in our system, the burn-in process starts. When the cable is already burnt and optimal sound is achieved, the cable should not be plugged the other way. There are no electric contradictions, however, the sound will lose the quality.

Anti-interference filters: DFSS, PFSS and TFCT

Designed by Audiomica Laboratory, the anti-interference filters function as a complement to the whole cable structure. Contrary to this popular belief, filters do not muffle and slow down the sound. We have put a lot of work and effort so that their influence can be both subtle and effective. The most important thing is that by means of the filters we are able to correct some current parameters which are considerably responsible for the final sound. A certain sound is the final destination and thanks to our filters we are capable of controlling it. More information on the structure of the filters may be found in FILTERS bookmark

Double Coating Process (DCP)

Double Coating Process^TM is a technology of applying an electroplated coating. The technology was invented and patented by Audiomica Laboratory. 90% of plugs and sockets existing on the market are notorious for their poor quality coating. Gold-, rhodium- and silver-plating processes which are normally on offer leave a lot to be desired while the quality and thickness of the plating are of great importance. It is not yet another audiophile whim – it’s physics. Only the current of low frequency or the constant one flow through the whole section of a conductor and even such currents must be eventually released. In other cases the current does not get to the inside of a conductor but flows on the surface. That is why the quality of the surface of a conductor and a plug is so significant.

DCP^TM product is a homogeneous coating which is 2 to 20 microns thick. European standards are 3 microns of electroplated surface while Chinese standards are 1-2 microns. As the name itself indicates, the coating is applied twice. After the initial electroplating, the surface is cleaned, measured and sent to the second electroplating. The whole process is laborious and expensive but it gives us every confidence that the surface acquired in this way will be perfect. Electric and mechanical parameters are incomparably better than in case of standard processes of applying electroplated coatings.

CTB screening process

Contrary Twisted Braids^TM is the name of the technology of applying screens with contrary twisted braids. The process was entirely invented and patented by Audiomica Laboratory. Conductor screening is not always necessary but if it is, it must be done perfectly well. Otherwise the only thing we get, is a superfluous ballast which badly influences the flexibility of the cable and makes it much harder to apply it to the audio-video equipment. Our cables of higher series have better screening. It results from a practical reason that they are used in systems of higher complexity where the influence of a negative electromagnetic field is more intensive.

At the beginning we developed DSS^TM – Double Screen System^TM. It is a combination of double screening and a special braid of conductive wires. The multi-wire braid eradicates the mutual induction of currents and thus eliminates interference. It is done by means of the magnetic field which is produced by the neighbouring wires. The system is successfully used even today in the cables of Black, Gray and Red Series.

The CTB^TM system has been designed for more advanced cables. In this case screens are selected for each cable individually. The process is very persistent as it involves numerous measurements and tests which unambiguously show the advantage of this technology over the traditional method of screening. In CTB^TM system the screens are applied with contrary twisted multi-wire braids. The thickness of each braid wire, their number and way of combining the layers of the braids is a parameter patented by Audiomica Laboratory. The impact of an electromagnetic field on a cable equipped with CTB^TM system is zero or close to zero depending on the configuration of the abovementioned variables.

Mica Security Liquid

HISTORY

We have been trying to improve a separating substance for over five years. There are a lot of materials, liquids abd substances for similar purposes. However, they do not meet certain requirements. All of them are difficult to remove and, what is more, they are very often either too thin (polyurethane and epoxy resins) or too thick (silicone and latex) before drying. It is so because these materials are designed to perform certain tasks and so far, a substance filling plug cases has not been developed. Nevertheless, our cooperation with a leading manufacturer of resins, acrylics and latex resulted in our original project called Mica Security Liquid (MSL).

This fluid applied as a space filler covering plug solderings has already been used for a couple of years. A similar separating substance was used for our HDMI plugs and now we are introducing the latest version of this filler. It is not without reason that this project coincides with the upgrade of our top cables – Consequence Series. RCA-WBT plugs which go with interconnects of this series have been filled with Mica Security Clear.

PROPERTIES

– The liquid has excellent anti-vibration properties. Thanks to its extremely liquid consistency it fills all the micro slits protecting the whole soldering surface.

– MSL after hardening shows huge mechanical resistance and high thermal and chemical resistance. It is also waterproof.
– It removes heat emitted by current and thus extends the lifespan of soldering.
– Electrically neutral and non-flammable.
– Hard-flexible, easily removable with UVA light of 300-400nm wavelength. Especially useful property when someone needs to replace plugs.The main task of Mica Security Liquid is protecting solderings mechincally: transport, weather conditions, accidental falls, etc. As the material is electrically neutral, it does not affect the quality of transmitted signals. It does not upgrade and downgrade the sound.  In the nearest future, we plan to use this material not only in our plugs but also in TFCT anti-interference filters.

PARAMETERS

– the solids content – 60-65%
– pH 9.5
– the ammonia content – about 0.45 ppm
– hardening – 5h/40oC

By-name quality confirmation. Certification

To assure the highest quality control right from the start of our activity we introduced a by-name quality confirmation. It is obvious that the responsibility for the quality of a final product lies with the whole team including not only an originator, designers and engineers but also a quality inspector. Audiomica Laboratory cables are hand assembled and manufactured on a small scale. Our certificate bears personal signatures of a person who assembled the whole structure and a person who carried out the final test verifying the electromechanical correctness. The certificate also carries the unique serial and batch numbers which tell the exact date of production and materials used for creating a given cable. It allows fast identification of the authenticity of Audiomica Laboratory products

Series, purpose and nomenclature

Audiomica Laboratory boasts six lines of cables designed for audio-video purposes, ranging from low-end through hi-fi to high-end. On our website in the bottom left hand navigation panel one may find a list of all our series beginning with the most advanced and most expensive one, Consequence Series, to professional cables of Black Series placed at the bottom.

The series in order of prestige (starting with the most advanced):

-Consequence Series
-Ultra Reference Series
-Excellence Series
-Red Series (Reference)
-Gray Series (Transparent)
-Black Series (Gold)

The name of our company and the names of most of our cables derive from minerals. Each name was adjusted heeding unique characteristics of a given mineral and each mineral may be easily associated with a certain cable through its colour, shape and properties. However, Ultra Reference Series is an exception. The cables of this series bear names of the largest moons in our galaxy. We strive to make each our series of cables complete. It means that we want each individual series to contain cables of one sound characteristics which the listener will use to plug the whole audio system with. Why series? It was our assumption right from the start to create a complete set of cables for the whole system so that our clients do not need to wonder if interconnect “x” will work well with speaker cable “y” and power cord “z”. The cables of each series are painstakingly chosen in terms of electric and sound parameters. We will explain it with the use of Red Series (Reference):

Dolomit speaker cable made of copper which carries warm and natural timbre + Quan jumpers for bi-wiring made of silver-plated copper and carrying more analytical sound + silver Rhod interconnect which is ultra accurate and precise + Jasper power cord made of electrolytic copper, free of distortion and full of dynamics =  a perfect and complete composition which constitutes a well thought out track for the sound.

Nevertheless, it does not mean that the cables of different series should not be mixed together. It is even an interesting experience which, however, involves trial and error method to find the proper sound. Whereas when you choose the cables of one series you can be sure of the final result.

This well designed structure of the conductors guarantees satisfaction for years without the slightest need to change anything. This is the aim of our mission.

There is a lot more insight and information on the philosophy and design techniques on the Audiomica website, click on the logo above to visit or call us for more information.

Audio Note Japan (KONDO) strives for the utmost quality in their hand-built gear. Their dedication derives from a strong passion for things pure, simple and beautiful. This philosophy is followed closely from design to performance, providing a product that is both aesthetically simple and expresses sound with perfect beauty. Audio Note Japan is the apex of audio perfection and world renowned for their musical splendor.

 

Power Amplifier Product List

From the tube power to elect the direct heat triode characteristics and good sound quality, (OPT) has adopted the manufactured goods of its own sterling silver wound output transformer.Manufactured goods is also its film capacitor electrode and a silver foil were also net. Give effect to the chassis material quality is large, in order to obtain the quality of growth in the open, we use the traditional pure copper. The products are manufactured by engineers carefully arranged lines also skilled. Expand the sound field is quiet vast, dynamic expression, boasts a sound quality beyond the traditional clear tube amp.

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ONGAKU

In 1989, it is a glorious year of audio step has begun. 
ONGAKU was born in this year became the thing to attract audio fans all over the world immediately. 
Vacuum tube amplifier audio notes played a global expansion, has been praised in the magazine with such audio magazine, “The Absolute Sound” magazine “Hi-Fi Choice”, the eye tough choice.ONGAKU that are configured with a large vacuum tube 211 in particular, in the expressive power of music with its overwhelmingly rich, I was captivated by a quasi – audio fans around the world. 
Even now, without having to change its evaluation, ONGAKU spinning the magic of sound. 
Asked reputation in the audio notes, thus fame was built.

Various Original Parts

 

Silver wire-wound output transformer

In order to realize a transformer with a good performance at high impedance and say 12kΩ, has taken the structure of the winding multilayer division. Transformer has been wound by hand alignment of skilled technicians dish dish wire is sterling silver wire all of the original course. Is an important part to give moisture to the quality and dignity in a direct and clear with the 211. In addition, we produce in a special way, taking into consideration the high voltage to be used in, we proceed with the winding insulation grease.

 

Silver foil capacitor

Condenser is a film and an electrode of pure silver foil. May not have a structure subjected to anti-vibration of the foil, make muddy the sound up to large signal from weak signals. We produce all in-house to maintain high quality.

 

Original wiring material

All sterling silver wire wiring material. Special structure is covered with a sheath that is wound around the wire on the exterior with natural silk in order not to be in direct contact with the exterior of vinyl chloride also, holding the unwanted vibration of the wire.

 

 

FEATURES

– Cut driver circuit 211 utilizing the characteristics of vacuum tube drive circuit specially designed to counteract the distortion and powerful, the 211 excellent linearity

– Silver wire output transformer to give moisture to the quality and dignity of 211 direct and clear in multilayer structure split-winding transformer to achieve good in the high impedance of 12kΩ

-Finish wiring materials and wiring, polite hand-sterling silver original was crafted in the highest quality line of skilled technicians arrange dish dish

– Pure copper chassis to get the sound quality of growth in the open

 

SPECS

Basic configuration – 211 single stereo power amplifier

Rated output – 27W + 27W

Frequency characteristic – 8Hz ~ 21kHz (+0 dB,-3dB)

/ Input impedance – Lineage 4 (D, 1, 2, 3, TAPE) / 100kΩ

Output – Lineage 1 REC OUT, speaker (8Ω)

Use vacuum tube – 211 × 2, 6072 × 2, 5687 × 2, GZ34 × 4

Power consumption – 330W

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 284mm (W) 240mm (H) 550mm (D)

Weight – 34kg

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GAKUON-II

Is a power amplifier boasts a maximum output audio notes while taking advantage of the legendary circuit of ONGAKU. 
GAKUON-II with an output of 50W in Class-A operation, with a margin to drive low efficiency speakers also. 
Driven by a dedicated driver for each of the two output tubes, forming a sound field of the handlebars.

VARIOUS ORIGINAL PARTS

 

Silver wire-wound output transformer

Has taken the structure of the multilayer division of its own winding representation impossible to talk using only silver wire, with rich sound honest. Transformer has been wound by hand alignment of skilled technicians dish dish wire is sterling silver wire all of the original course. 
Is an important part to give moisture to the quality and dignity of the 211 with a straight and clear. 
In addition, we produce in a special way, taking into consideration the high voltage to be used in, we proceed with the winding insulation grease.

 

Silver foil capacitor

Condenser is a film and an electrode of pure silver foil. 
Coupling capacitor to seriously affect the quality of vacuum tube amplifier, was subjected to anti-vibration of the foil. Prevaricate without a large signal to noise from weak signals, and accurate music transmission is possible. 
We produce all in-house one by one in order to maintain high quality.

 

Original sterling silver wiring material

All sterling silver wire wiring material. Special structure is covered with a sheath that is wound around the wire on the exterior with natural silk in order not to be in direct contact with the exterior of vinyl chloride also, holding the unwanted vibration of the wire.

 

 

FEATURES

– Inherits the circuit of ONGAKU, boasts a maximum output power amplifier’s audio notes

– Driven by a dedicated driver for each of the two output tubes in parallel single-configuration.

– Recommended for those who want to enjoy a more dynamic sound quality of 211 in the direct sharp.

– Polite finish sterling silver hand-wiring materials and wiring, original

– Pure copper chassis to get the sound quality of growth in the open

 

SPECS

Basic configuration – Parallel single-mono power amplifier 211 ー Lal

Rated output – 50W

Frequency characteristic – 10Hz ~ 20kHz (+0 dB,-3dB)

/ Input impedance – / 100kΩ a system

Output – Speaker (8Ω)

Use vacuum tube – 211 × 2, 6072 × 1, 5687 × 2, GZ34 × 4

Power consumption – 270W

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 280mm (W) 242mm (H) 525mm (D)

Weight – 33kg

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SOUGA

This is a stereo power amplifier to maximize the attractiveness of low-plump with a 2A3.

VARIOUS ORIGINAL PARTS

 

Silver wire-wound output transformer

Has taken the structure of the multilayer division of its own winding can not even express in any other silver wire with copper wire, with rich sound straightforward. Transformer has been wound by hand alignment of skilled technicians dish dish wire is sterling silver wire all of the original course.

 

Silver foil capacitor

Condenser is a film and an electrode of pure silver foil. Coupling capacitor to seriously affect the quality of vacuum tube amplifier, was subjected to anti-vibration of the foil. Prevaricate without a large signal to noise from weak signals, and accurate music transmission is possible. 
We produce all in-house one by one in order to maintain high quality.

 

Original sterling silver wiring material

All sterling silver wire wiring material. Exterior structure is covered with a sheath wrapped around the wire on it in the natural silk in order not to be in direct contact with the exterior of vinyl chloride also, holding the unwanted vibration of the wire.

 

FEATURE

– New low-frequency drive circuit draw of a plump growth of 2A3

– Circuit board with high-grade sterling silver hand-wiring materials and wiring, original

– Single parallel configuration, both the quality and power

– Pure copper chassis to achieve an open sound

 

SPECS

Basic configuration – Parallel single-2A3 stereo power amplifier

Rated output – 8W + 8W

Frequency characteristic – 8Hz ~ 35kHz (+0 dB,-3dB)

/ Input impedance – / 100kΩ a system

Output – (Select an 8Ω 4Ω or at the factory) speaker

Use vacuum tube – 2A3 × 4, 6072 × 2, 12BH7 × 2, 5U4GB × 1

Power consumption – 140W

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 430mm (W) 233mm (H) 314mm (D)

Weight – 34kg

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PREAMPLIFIER PRODUCT LIST

As the most important equipment for playing records, has been working on the commercialization of the preamplifier From its inception, audio notes. 
Additional functions such as the tone control is not remembering, anything that can cause degradation of sound quality is the transmission path has been configured with a simple to eliminate as much as possible. 
Give effect to the chassis material quality is large, in order to obtain the quality of growth in the open, we use the traditional pure copper in the preamp.

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M1000 MkII

Flagship preamp audio notes. 
Can be independent and separate amplification unit into the chassis power supply circuit, has eliminated to limit the impact of the leakage magnetic flux generated from the power transformer, etc.. Provided a dedicated power transformer (optional) to each line amplifier, Fonoanpu, we have further isolated the power supply circuit of the left and right. In addition, the low impedance smoothing circuit that is configured with audio grade oil capacitor and double choke has to make your music playback with a growth in the clear.

FEATURE

– Paid to the chassis power supply unit to another unit and amplifier, to limit the impact of the leakage magnetic flux exclusion

– Phono and Line Module
realize the goodness of the hand while maintaining the wiring, ideal component placement, wiring route, the ground layout

– Is low impedance smoothing circuit that is configured with audio grade oil capacitor and double choke, reproduce the sound with a sleek presence and growth

– Adopt a cap-less resistance attenuator switching high-quality sound.

– phono board is optional specifications

 

 

SPECS

/ Input impedance – PHONO (when equipped with PHONO unit)
　system RCA 1 / 50kΩ LINE (unbalanced) 　/ 100kΩ system three RCA 　/ XLR 1 100kΩ system

Output – LINE (unbalanced)
　RCA 2 line 
　system an XLR LOW PASS 　system 1 RCA, fc = 80Hz, -12dB/oct

Use vacuum tube – 6072 × 4 (time unit is equipped with PHONO 8), 6CA4 × 2

Power consumption – 46W (when unit is equipped with PHONO 68W)

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 320mm (W) 160mm (H) 405mm (D) × 2

Weight – Main unit 14kg, (when unit is equipped with PHONO 15.5kg) 
21kg power supply unit

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KSL-M77

Adopt a low-impedance power-supply circuit that is configured double power transformer, filter choke, by audio grade oil capacitor. Line CR type phono equalizer and non-feedback amplifier, the sound field to reproduce the spontaneous and natural only. 
Chassis structure consists of two boxes that are two minutes left and right inside the chassis. By placing the power supply unit independently to the left, has eliminated the influence of the magnetic flux leakage, etc. give the amplification section.

Built to last a lifetime, the KSL-M77 preamplifier is sure to become a classic.  The KSL-M77 has especially been designed and engineered to achieve solid low frequencies and clarity in sound.

A record contains amazingly huge amounts of information, the existence of which are not discovered through conventional combinations of resistors and capacitors, wiring method, and power supply circuit. The M77 phono stage (MM) has proven to have tremendously high resolution properties to present all this information, musically.

The KSL-M77 has handmade silver foil coupling capacitors and resistors, and a single chassis comprised of two separate chambers. The M77 has been developed from the famous M10, and follows on from the M100.

FEATURE

– Low-impedance power-supply circuit that is configured with double power transformer oil capacitor, choke filter, and audio grade

– Reproduce the sound quality relaxed and non-feedback amplifier with a line type phono equalizer CR, in the natural

– Polite finish sterling silver hand-wiring materials and wiring, original

– Adopt high-quality sound attenuator switching resistance

 

SPECS

/ Input impedance – PHONO 　RCA system 1 / 50kΩ LINE 　lineage 4 RCA (CD, LINE1, LINE2, LINE3) / 100kΩ

Output – LINE 2 RCA system

Use vacuum tube – 6072 × 8, 6X4 × 1

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 406mm (W) 160mm (H) 287mm (D)

Weight – 17kg

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G-70

Preamplifier “G-70” vacuum tube that connects to the next generation

Effectively deploy the parts were selected aiming to balance the sound from the old to make specs and modern, repeat the audition over an enormous amount of time. 
Newly developed heater circuit considering the influence power circuit, short signal path with no waste, to a reasonable sound quality and powerful. 
Preamplifier charm of the sound is not only fully draw the vacuum tube amplifier, also in connection with the transistor amplifier is now complete.

The Kondo G-70 is Kondo’s most affordable preamplifier yet.  Now more music lovers can experience the Kondo quality.  Launched in Dec 2010.

 • High quality handcrafting with module style line amplifier section, best
component placements, signal wiring and ground layout.

• 700uF huge reservoir by combining 3 types of capacitor in individual
left and right channel. Delivering natural, stress-free music over the
whole frequency band.

• Tonal quality is enhanced with the newly developed DC heater
circuit. It offers ultra-low impedance and supreme ripple rejection
against voltage fluctuations.

• Tremendous hours of listening and comparisons were spent for the
selections of each resistor and capacitor.

FEATURE

– Both the short path wave printed circuit board while inheriting the goodness of the hand wiring by modular

– Clearly separates the power supply circuit and decoupling capacitors filter ripple, constituting the powerful power

– Group three decoupling capacitors, that are configured with a total of 700μF capacitor while holding the habit of each, contributing to a good tone temperament

– DC heater circuit employs a transistor ignition parts were selected bridge diode CR repeat the audition, large TO-3 type

 

DESIGN GUIDE

Preamplifier is the core of the audio system, since it is a component determining the “disposition” of the sound, it is important to pursue a sophisticated tone on that clear enough specs modern

– Direct plate method follower circuit, the cathode follower. Ensure a sense of freshness and direct sound and the low output impedance. Employs a 6072 tube.

– Minimize the loop signal by modularity and decoupling capacitors of the line amplifier.

– Parts adopt high quality superimposed the audition, SSW (Silk Silver wire), silver foil capacitor, and original power transformer. Copper chassis.

– New development to test the effects give the sound the heater circuit.

– Aiming for a good and familiar tone pure tone rather than ornate, like spring water.

 

LINE UNIT

And realize the goodness of hand-wiring, the shortness of the route of the waves by the modularization of the printed circuit board line amplifier part. 
It also has to minimize the signal loop placed in the independent left and right decoupling capacitor near the line amplifier module. 
Connection with the consideration of transistor amplifier, impedance 1kΩ output, 20Hz cut-off frequency has (at load 20kΩ).

ULTRA-HIGH QUALITY PARTS

High-grade volume, copper chassis, pure silver foil capacitors, electrolytic capacitors original, sterling silver lead resistance, wiring material SSW, ultra-high-quality parts are adopted KSL-VzII (sterling silver wire shield), the original RCA jack, such as the original power transformer. Three types metal film resistors, wirewound type of enamel. Capacitors are five types of block type and tubular type aluminum electrolytic capacitors pure silver foil, polypropylene capacitors, ceramic capacitors. Effectively presented on the CR were carefully selected parts.

POWER CIRCUIT, HEATING CIRCUIT

Rectifier tube adopts a 6X4. The original power transformer repeated audition, and that the appropriate damping treatment have been made. You have configured the power supply unit by performing powerful circuit design clearly separates (700μF/ch about) and a decoupling capacitor (400μF) ripple filter capacitor, the design implementation. Decoupling capacitors while holding the habit of each capacitor (600 +100 +0.47 μF / ch), has contributed to the tone of good temperament are composed of three types of capacitors. 
Various test results, heating circuit to guarantee the stability of the DC ignition voltage variations and the ability to remove a powerful ripple adopted a circuit using a transistor TO-3 type. And low impedance design with DC line, achieve a high purity quality. In addition to achieve sound, strong and vigorous adoption of CR diode bridge parts were selected to audition repeated, large.

SPECS

/ Input impedance – LINE (unbalanced) 　/ 100kΩ system RCA 4

Output – LINE (unbalanced) 　RCA 2 system

Use vacuum tube – 6072 × 2, 6X4 × 1

Frequency characteristic – 4Hz ~ 240kHz (+0 dB-3dB, when the load 100kΩ)

Distortion – 0.07% (1kHz, 1V)

Residual noise – 0.11mV

Gain – 25dB

Power consumption – 21W

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 333mm (W) 160mm (H) 438mm (D)

Weight – 17.5kg

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INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

Simple and high-quality sound. 
Small high-end audio system also convince music lovers.

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OVERTURE

“Overture” opens the door to high-end audio

Integrated amplifier aimed at small systems serving also accept music lovers. 
High quality, high-quality well-balanced tone and delicate simple dynamic.

DESIGN GUIDE

In the high-end audio system prone to large-scale, As you can also accept music lovers, to develop a simple and high-quality integrated amplifier.

– The output tube to ensure the output of more than 30W adopted (our first) EL34, also assumes the use of low-efficiency speakers in the sphere of pentode inscription. Corresponding to the output 8Ω and 4Ω.

– In order to balance a high-dimensional dynamic and delicate tone of the EL34, a new design re-examine the push-pull circuit of the amplifier circuit inscription of the past and repeated deliberation from a new perspective.

– Sufficient to meet modern specifications, aiming for high-quality well-balanced tone.

 

PUSH-PULL CIRCUIT OF THE NEW DESIGN

Directly connected to the driver circuit and the stage – the first stage, the coupling of the output stage employs a pure silver foil capacitor. Moreover, to the low impedance of the entire circuit, realize the direct sound. Was adopted in the output stage, CCB newly developed circuit (constant current bias), prevents the music signal flowing into the VR bias adjustment, which enables signal transmission of high purity. That the transformer output connection and UL, only the amount reduced to 3dB NFB, has been achieved by a sense of dynamic and low distortion. In addition, by making the circuit unit, enabling a minimum of wiring.

ULTRA-HIGH QUALITY PARTS

High quality parts group superimposed audition. 50-inch high-quality volume, lead resistance sterling silver, pure silver foil capacitor SSW (Silk Silver wire), KSL-Vz Ⅱ (shielded wire), custom output transformer and power transformer manufactured by ISO. Are effectively presented on the CR were carefully selected parts.

LARGE-SCALE POWER CIRCUIT

By the choke coil and a large capacity capacitor group, as Integrated amplifier circuit has an unusual large-scale power. Moreover, the ripple filter is equipped with a decoupling capacitor in the independent left and right of each stage separately. The first has a large capacity and about 500μF/ch In particular, the improvement of channel separation was achieved with a clear tone to the lowest frequencies.

SPECS

Method – EL34 Push-Pull Integrated Amplifier

Rated output – 32W + 32W @ 1kHz, 1% THD

Frequency characteristic – 6Hz ~ 140kHz (+0 dB-3dB @ 1W)

/ Input impedance – LINE (unbalanced) 　/ 100kΩ system RCA 4

Output impedance – 4Ω, 8Ω

Residual noise – Less than 0.5mV

Use vacuum tube – EL34 × 4, 12BH7 × 2, 6072 × 2

Power consumption – 180W

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 438mm (W) 201mm (H) 409mm (D)

Weight – 20.5kg

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KSL-DAC

D / A conversion by the converter with sample rate, and low jitter crystal clock generator master, does not depend on the accuracy of the transport is now possible. 
Convincing us that music should be played by KSL-DAC, the sound quality is beyond the level of “good” digital “analog is better.”

FEATURE

– Sample rate converter 
of all the input digital signal is converted to a signal of fs = 96kHz, 24bit sample rate converter. Produces a low-jitter digital signal at this time, high-speed, high precision arithmetic is performed under the control of high-precision master clock, which is separated from the input signal, low-distortion.

– Vacuum tube output circuit 
first, and then cut the ultra-high frequency noise from the digital circuit in a passive lowpass filter. Then, unnecessary high frequency noise will be cut by two active lowpass filter vacuum tube. Silver foil capacitor, such as wiring material is made ​​of sterling silver company, KSL-DAC technology made ​​by KSL is committed to high quality music playback.

– Heavyweight power circuit 
configurations 2 power transformer. Power rectifier tube also adopted for digital

– Silver foil capacitor, such as sterling silver wiring material is all in-house using the original product

– Manufacturing line arrangements skilled technicians dish dish

 

SPECS

Digital input – COAX (RCA) 16 ~ 24bit 32 ~ 96kHz

Audio output – Unbalanced (RCA) 1.8V

Outline – 285W × 160H × 430D

Use vacuum tube – 5687 × 2, 12AT7/ECC81 × 2, 6CA4/EZ81 × 3

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CARTRIDGE IO-M

Cartridge “IO-M” has evolved further

Their sound is described as “awaken the soul of the artist who carved the groove sound” is the natural sound itself is straightforward. Magnetoresistance decreases by increasing the thickness of the yoke of the magnetic circuit, out of the goodness of that much difference. High-resolution playback improvements in resonant mode of vibration system, well-balanced over the entire band is now possible.

FEATURE

– New magnetic circuit design to maximize the ability of high performance alnico magnet

– Body adopt a super-hard aluminum alloy cantilever special structure, machined aluminum

– Adopted a sterling silver pin output, also lead leaders, fully realize the transmission path of silver in the cartridge

 

SPECS

Power generation method – Moving coil type

Output voltage – 0.12mV (1kHz, 5cm/sec)

Channel balance – Within 1dB (1kHz)

Separation – More than 25dB (1kHz)

Internal impedance – 1Ω

Compliance – 6.0 × 10 ^-6 cm / Dyne

Proper needle pressure – 1.5 ~ 1.8g

Weight – 11g

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TRANSFORMER

Silver is said to be the first node from Houma trend in “trans-old” that it overturned the stereotype, MC transformer of audio notes, has been built up in the care of materials, meticulous best. 
Attitude of commitment to sound rich and natural sound, while expressing the nuances of fine surprisingly, the entire music will evoke a rich harmony.

KSL-SFz

Meet more than 30 years, was achieved analog sound view of life is full of profound than the expectations of the analog evolved into the fan disk “KSL-SFz”

FEATURE

– KSL sterling silver-winding transformer 
winding structure by the careful consideration, has a 1.5dB peak of up to 100kHz without terminating resistor

– Custom-made ultra-thin permalloy core 
using the high quality ultra-thin permalloy core large, suppressing the eddy current loss, hysteresis loss 
in the core of the shape combine the wide cross-sectional area and a short path length, low distortion, ensuring ultra-wideband

– Tell without the full power of the MC cartridge drawer and thoroughly the feelings of artists

– Polite finish wiring by hand

 

SPECS

The primary-side impedance – 1Ω, 3Ω, 40Ω

The secondary side impedance – 4kΩ

Step-up ratio – 36dB (1Ω), 30dB (3Ω), 20dB (40Ω)

Load impedance – 47kΩ is recommended

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – 114mm (W) 150mm (H) 175mm (D)

Weight – 3.2kg

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TURN TABLE

Functional beauty was born from necessity uncompromising. 
In order to realize the best analog sound we aim, we have completed a long development period fart.

GINGA

Turntable System “GINGA” of excellence.

Functional beauty was born from necessity uncompromising. 
To achieve beautiful and vibrant sound to a dignified space.

MAJOR FEATURES

– Heavyweight platter-based and multi-element using the material effectively five

– Smooth rotation with no knot in the yarn due to low vibration

– Thick and large rotor spindle bearing φ25 finished in ultra-high-precision

– Special long-term stable operation by the inclusion oil

– Large 4-pole synchronous motor unit was stuck to the sound quality

– Driving power and low distortion without using a phase-advancing capacitor, the oscillation circuit of 2ch

– Correcting the warp of the disk by using a spacer and stabilizer ring

– Tone arm using special ordered to the UK SME companies, the arm wire silver wire (Kondo-312)

 

DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR GINGA

Analog to digital disk even though the source is now mainstream, valuable recording many are left, the start to develop, GINGA is aware of the following must be considered high-quality playback equipment than ever before has been designed to.

– Rigid type and weight class in order to obtain the direct sound and stable sound image

– To avoid compromising the “sense of dynamism of sound” even though it is a heavyweight

– The platter is required for smooth braking rotation and to some extent 
(the ideal state is balanced rotation of the motor torque and braking force)

– Adopted the synchronous motor drive and thread to get the honest sound quality

– Driven by the motor power ideal, also makes it possible to adjust the speed

 

MULTI-ELEMENT-BASED, HEAVY PLATTER

Base portion is a result of repeated many times to audition, we used five effective material aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper chromium, acrylic. 
Platter unit, the internal tapered shape, arranged on the outer circumference bottom stainless steel screw tuning has been kept a “bell-vibration”. In addition to the main material of aluminum, has been eliminated by the proper tone platter mat stainless steel and glass materials.

 

THICK BEARING, HIGH POINT SUPPORT

The GINGA is equipped with a bearing very luxurious. 
Configure the carbide ball bearing bearing, rotor spindle by placing a large visceral further hardened steel of 8mm thick on top of the center pole of Φ25. In addition, by increasing the fulcrum has brought a more stable operation of the platter. 
Spindle pole and the rotor center is located in ultra-high precision machining to finish one pair of suit. 
Contact area of ball bearings and hardened steel, which is filled with special oil-tested, enabling a stable operation for many years without any oil leakage.

 

SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR UNIT

Adopt a 4-pole synchronous motor large commitment to quality. Has been achieved low noise, low vibration double floating structure inside and outside the housing and housing, of metal shaving. 
We also pursue the ideal motor power circuit. SIN and COS waves generated by wave oscillation circuit CR, after amplification in 2-channel high power amplifier, have produced a very low distortion power has been boosted at each transformer. Phase-advancing capacitor is no longer required therefore. 
In addition, the control voltage of the main coil and the secondary coil of the motor and enables independence was achieved optimization of the motor drive voltage is like the smallest vibration. 
Be equipped with a tension pulley, multiplied by the appropriate long-term stable yarn tension is now available.

 

COTTON SEAMLESS WIRE, SPACER RING

Machine drive in order to solve the problem of yarn was from the traditional “knot of yarn”, has developed a new circle of yarn without knots. 
You can correct the warping of the disk by using a spacer ring and stabilizer. (Disk or disk warping is severe weight class may be difficult correction.)

 

TONE ARM

Special order to the UK SME companies. Equipped with a (Kondo-312) tone arm and screw material changes have been made (using the AN-AI of our products) over silver wire to wire-based arm of the SME-312.

 

SPECS

Kind – Turntable drive system thread method

Motor – 4-pole synchronous motor

Arm with – (Cartridge not included) Kondo-312

(Not including protruding parts) Dimensions – Turntable unit 460mm (W) 210mm (H) 395mm (D), 
motor unit 210mm (W) 150mm (H) 365mm (D)

Weight – Turntable unit 46kg (28kg + platter-based 18kg), 
16kg motor unit

Power consumption – 36W

 

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CABLE

Sound of silver, warmer than any sound, you will see the full representation of music into sharp breath. 
In the audio notes, carefully, we have adopted to reproduce the music evolved more sophisticated silver. More than 20 years of know-how is a range of silver refining, manufacturing method, until the structure. In addition to the pursuit of material, by special technology – KSL, and then expressing the excellent music. Cable “AN-Vz” “AN-SPz silver wire was great reputation around the world from the audio fan” is, by KSL “technology has evolved further as KSL-LP” “KSL-SPz”. Space to reproduce the rich aroma of wine is dense, such as improved fundamentally and direction of the wire with the habit, mature. Rich bass sound gives a sense of stability to the music, a sense of low midrange distortion is represented beautifully the strings and space.

KSL-LPz

SPECS

Basic structure – Sterling silver wire line cable, 4-conductor braided shield

Core structure – φ0.1 × 52 × 2 (Volume silk) 
× 20 × 2 φ0.15 (winding silk)

Terminal – Adopt a standard RCA audio plug made of notes

Length – More than 1m, can be produced in units of 10cm 
(standard stock: 1m, 1.5m, 2m)

* This specification is intended for all Japan.

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KSL-VzII

SPECS

Basic structure – Sterling silver wire line cable, 4-conductor braided shield

Core structure – φ0.1 × 32 × 2 (Volume silk) 
φ0.15 × 2 × twelve (winding silk)

Terminal – Adopt a standard RCA audio plug made of notes

Length – More than 1m, can be produced in units of 10cm 
(standard stock: 1m, 1.5m, 2m)

* This specification is intended for all Japan.

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KSL-SPz

SPECS

Basic structure – Sterling silver wire speaker cable, 8-conductor braided shield

Core structure – φ0.2 × 10 × 8

Terminal – sterling silver as a standard feature of φ2 terminal

Length – More than 1m, 10cm can be produced in units

* This specification is intended for all Japan.

 

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KSL-SPc

SPECS

Basic structure – PCOCC Speaker Cable, 8-conductor braided shield

Core structure – φ0.2 × 10 × 8

Terminal – sterling silver as a standard feature of φ2 terminal

Length – More than 1m, 10cm can be produced in units

* This specification is intended for all Japan.

This is the only oxygen free copper speaker cable in the Kondo line, and this is also the only copper cable using KSL technology developed to remove the “sound roughness” which arises generally from the lower grade digital sound in the system like home theatre, for example.

The heavily decoded signals from home theatre surround sound decoder and receivers usually comes with very unpleasant edginess and ear scratching sharpness, our KSL-SPc can greatly improve and transform this into a smooth and musical sound.

 Of course, it will be a great cable as well for audio only applications, especially where the source is primarily digital.

 

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KSL-SPc Dual

 

Basic structure – PCOCC speaker cable strands 2 KSL-SPc

Terminal – sterling silver as a standard feature of φ2 terminal

Length – More than 1m, 10cm can be produced in units

* This specification is intended for all Japan.

 

NVO Audio has always been in pursuit of audio perfection. Since high school, founder Andreas Hadjiminas could never settle with an audio system component that was satisfactory. Through ingenuity and perseverance he would find a way to perfect the unit, creating a work of art beyond expectation.

His strict standards are clearly carried through with the release of NVO Audio’s first product, the SPA-II Phono preamp. Delivering exceptional quality, each unit is tested and tuned according to the prototype to ensure that the final product is nothing short of perfection. Able to bring out the best qualities of any audio system, the SPA-II Phono preamp will demonstrate the impact that NVO Audio will have in the high-end audio industry.

The layout of the SPA-II is really nice, with a front panel switch that allows you to select between circuits optimized for moving-magnet (MM) cartridges or moving-coil (MC) cartridges, a mono switch, and a power switch. Out back there are both RCA and balanced Neutrik inputs, RCA outputs, a grounding post, and two umbilical connectors that connect the main chassis to the outboard power supply.

For More Info Click HERE

 

One of the nice things about the SPA-II having switch selectable circuits for both MM and MC cartridges, is you don’t have to worry about buying a separate step-up transformer plus an extra pair of interconnects for it to use with a MC cartridge, like you do with the Leben RS-30EQ I use as a reference. When you add up the costs of the Leben RS-30EQ phono equalizer ($2695 USD) with an Auditorium 23 step-up transformer ($995 USD), along with an extra pair of Acoustic Revive Single Core RCA interconnects ($1295 USD) necessitated by the step-up tranny, you end up with a total of $4985 USD, or $385 USD more than the NVO SPA-II asking price of $4600. From a cost standpoint I think the NVO SPA-II is a bargain for what you get.

Ok, so for this review, I worked on optimizing my Hi-Fi rig’s components & setup around the SPA-II to get what I thought was the best performance out of it according to my tastes. The best balance of performance on the musical content of recordings (timbre, melody, harmony, rhythm, etc.) and recording artifacts (soundstage, imaging, transparency, sense of recorded space, etc.) resulted from the following complement of equipment: an EMT TSD-15 moving coil phonograph cartridge mounted on VPI’s 30th Anniversary Classic 1 turntable, Sablon Audio Panatela interconnects connecting the VPI to the New Valve Order SPA-II phono preamplifier, Acoustic Revive Single Core interconnects connecting the SPA-II to the Leben RS100 line preamplifier, Tom Evans Audio Design interconnects connecting the Leben RS100 to the Sophia Electric 91-01 300B mono amplifiers using Sophia Electric Royal Princess 300B carbon plate vacuum tubes (which Sophia Electric was so kind as to allow me to keep as an ongoing reference after the review), a bi-wire pair of Auditorium 23 speaker cables connecting the 91-01 amps to my Tannoy Westminster Royal Special Edition loudspeakers. As for power cords, I plugged the SPA-II into the wall directly with an Acoustic Revive Power Reference power cord, a Sablon Audio Gran Corona (review to come) connected my VPI Classic 1 to an Acoustic Revive RPT-4 Ultimate Power Distributor, a Sablon Audio Robusto connected the Leben RS100 preamp to the RPT-4, which itself was plugged into the wall with another Robusto. The Sophia Electric 91-01 300B mono amplifiers were plugged directly into the wall courtesy of a pair of Sablon Audio Robusto power cords.

The reason I went into that in detail about associated equipment for this review is because I wanted to highlight that choices of associated equipment matters: you generally can’t just drop a piece of equipment into your system and expect to get the best out of it. Certain combinations of associated equipment brings out the best in one piece of kit, but not necessarily another. So what gets the best out of the SPA-II in my system (above) isn’t necessarily the same mix of gear that gets the best out of the Leben RS-30EQ phono equalizer. For the Leben RS-30EQ optimization involves adding the Auditorium 23 step-up transformer (because the Leben doesn’t have a separate MC stage), and another pair of Acoustic Revive Single Core RCA interconnects to connect to the A23. The Leben RS-30EQ really likes the Robusto power cord over the Acoustic Revive that I used with the SPA-II, and it likes the Acoustic Revive Single Core bi-wire speaker cables as well.

That makes it a little tricky when comparing an optimized setup for a SPA-II to an optimized setup for a Leben RS-30EQ, because they’re different, but if you don’t do that it’s truly an injustice for the manufacturers’ of the components being reviewed or compared. I’ll do my best to summarize the differences in what I’m hearing for you so you can get a comparative idea where things are when both are running in a top state of tune.

 

– MM/MC
– dual mono power supply
– power supply in separate box
– four tube supply regulators
– four heater regulators
– 22 tubes
– combined active and passive RIAA equalization
– precision components in RIAA network
– designed with circuit simulation software
– wide frequency response: 20Hz – 200kHz
– two 6C45Pi per channel input stage for low noise
– two-stage RIAA implementation amplifier
– low impedance cathode follower output

 

Kuzma Turntables and Tonearms

Slovenia-based Kuzma Ltd. is a respected turntable and tonearm manufacturer. Kuzma tables run the gamut (four turntables, three tonearms) from the $25,780 – $30,395 Kuzma Stabi XL variations down to the $2,156 Stabi S table. Kuzma now also offers 4 MC cartridges.

 

“We at Kuzma Ltd. have been studying the theory and practise of analogue playback since 1975“, states the Kuzma website. “[We are] continually extracting more information from what is nowadays called an inferior medium. There is no known limit to the extent of recoverable information compared to the limits of digital playback. This makes analogue replay closer to the human ear and brain.”

 

KUZMA  MC cartridge CAR- 20 – First review in HIFI PLUS #110 ( April 2014)
Roy Gregory  finishes first review of Kuzma  CAR-20  cartridge ( their entry level) in HIFI+ magazine  with these words:  ” ……once heard, nothing else at the price is going to come close.”

 

Purist Audio Design performs extensive research and testing that gets down to the heart and soul of a product. At this most basic, yet extremely crucial level is the raw materials. By using only precious metals and alloys for the conductors, Purist Audio Design is able to create the ultimate in sonic quality and audio performance. Utilizing industry-leading techniques and incorporating well balanced componentry, Purist Audio Design continues to raise the bar one cable at a time.

Purist Audio Design performs extensive research and testing that gets down to the heart and soul of a product. At this most basic, yet extremely crucial, level is the raw materials. The first key was the choice of precious metals and alloys to be used for the conductors. We look at not only capacitance, inductance, and resistance, but also magnetic fields. That is why we use alloys for our conductors, rather than simple copper or silver alone for the ultimate in sonic quality and performance. Purist Audio Design also looks at the dielectric as well as shielding. We like to think we have the most advanced shielding in the industry. Purist Audio Design products are outstanding at operating with minimal interference such as RF (Radio Frequency) and EMI/EMF (Electromagnetic Interference and Fields).

Looking at competitors advertisements, most of them concentrate on a single selling point or ploy. For example, you will hear that a product has an ultra-low capacitance. Well you can’t stop there. Purist Audio Design designs its products looking at many aspects.

Purist Audio Design uses material treatment techniques that are industry-leading. Procedures that manufacturers are using today, have been in use for years by Purist Audio Design. So we had to raise the bar yet again with the treatment that we currently use, Cryomag®.

Many competitors will try to appeal to customers by concentrating on one point of their product, which sometimes is functionless. You will sometimes also see flashy presentation when it comes to their packaging. We don’t sell boxes, we sell audio products. You are buying what is in the box, and there simply is no match for a Purist Audio Design product. Why don’t you see much advertising by Purist Audio Design? Simply because the products advertise themselves.

The Vibraplane Platform provides vibration isolation and sets the standard for quality and performance that is unmatched in the high end audio industry. Completely customizable, the Vibraplane is incomparable to any other vibration isolation product. With a Vibraplane, sound will no longer be at risk of becoming blurred or dull from speaker or external vibrations, providing a listening experience that is completely natural.

The Vibraplane platform provides a level of performance yet unmatched (or heard) in the high-end audio industry. After 22 years the Vibraplane has found no equal. The vibrations from your speakers, as well as external vibrations add “jitter” and distort the wave forms creating a duller, blurrier sound.

Structural vibration in the floor can cause resonant frequencies in support frames and shelving to vibrate.. Moreover, when music blasts from your speakers, the vibrations not only hit your ears, but also your stereo equipment. When a turntable is placed on the Vibraplane table, it reduces transient smearing and increases the resolution level of the component through reduction of the components’ noise floor. It also improves localization of instruments and creates wider and deeper sound-staging. These same effects are heard when a CD transport is placed on the Vibraplane.

 

Clark Johnson says it best with the following excerpts from his reviews:

“You don’t know what you have, until you have a Vibraplane! So immense be its consequence, I cannot imagine better, but who knows?”

“Vibraplane heard under LP is a jaw-dropping experience; Insert a Vibraplane and several distinct sonic effects occur, while the musicians are heard interacting more closely with each other, picking up cues tighter, etc. It’s all in the timing! “

“The Vibraplane can be collapsed, and then raised again, by a switch on the air pump. That change happens before our eyes twice, and there can be no doubting: With the turntable sitting on an un-airborne hunk of heavy metal placed on a slab of granite on the floor, the sound is discombobulated and uninvolving, ugly even. With the base pumped up — We’re in Heaven! “