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Kondo Souga - audition

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C

Ceglar

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Joined 2008
#1
Hello,

I had the opportunity to audition Kondo Souga amplifer, front end was AMR CD based TDA1541A DAC. Pre was Kondo M77. Loudspeakers were Avanrgarde latest offering, for the exact model you wil need to enquire at Audio Note Singapore - stereo singapore - singapore audio shop - audiophile singapore - 2nd hand audio

It was interesting. I use TDA1541A in non oversampling mode but with Pedja Rogic I/V which feeds an interesting variation of 3 stage DHT, all DC coupled amplifier - also PSE2A3, no bypass caps.. but wait.. using One Eledctron OPT and Duntech speakers with a simple oil loaded 1st cap order at 7kHz.

Was it better?... yes. By how much?.. not much at all.

Long live DIY!!!

Shane
 
#2
I have Kondo Souga in my home. It came to me for recaping. I removed original Unicon electrolytic capacitors and soldered in Black Gates WKZ and NH.

BG+WKZ.jpg


Now it is time for burn-in.
It is connected to my system and plays all day and night long.

IMGP5058.jpg


Some detailed pictures:

IMGP5053.jpg


IMGP5051.jpg


IMGP5048.jpg


IMGP5054.jpg


Rest of the system are:
-CD transport EAD T-1000 slightly modified
-handmade DAC based on TDA1541A-S1 oversampled, tube analogue stage
-handmade tube preamplifier inspired by Kondo KSL-M7
-custom made loudspeakers by Studio16Hertz polish manufacture

But how does it sound like?
The realism of accoustic music is awesome. One can totally forget about the equipment and flow with the music.
 
#5
I suspect the input/driver follows M77 in that it has 6072A//6072A DC to CF//CF, with the CF in this case being12BH7. This would certainly qualify as wideband driver considering the heavy capacities of parallel 2a3 grids. Perhaps unusual choice with a not so high Gm tube as CF, but then these AN amps are not always so obvious - but always seem to sound quite good - and the Souga seems to be no exception.

If you're happy to PM with some internal shots it would be fun to build a clone. I have tubes to get you up and running if you're without.

Sincerely,
Shane
 
#6
Audio Note Japan Neiro

Audio Note Japan produced this Neiro amp, paralleled 2A3 single ended, before Kondo-san passed away. Maybe the Souga has similar topology.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.


An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
 
#9
SurgeTT said:
Also, a tube amp should never be run 'day and night', for break-in or any other purpose.
I have a Souga and the instructions clearly state never to run it for more than 4-5 hours continuously.
Click to expand...


Why? Unless the amplifier is biased to run on the ragged edge and you have ample ventilation, it would seem to me that running it 24 hours per day would be fine. Just curious.....
 
#10
SurgeTT said:
Also, a tube amp should never be run 'day and night', for break-in or any other purpose.
I have a Souga and the instructions clearly state never to run it for more than 4-5 hours continuously.
Click to expand...

Well, you say that you are thinking of ordering this amplifier, and in the next post you say that you have this amplifier - and these two posts are total of your contribution to diyaudio as per your profile = 2 posts.

So, do you actually have the amplifier or not?

If you have the amplifier, please copy and post the information with regard to limiting usage to 4-5 hrs and if not, please explain how you do and do not have this amplifier at the same moment in time.

I smell a rat, a real smelly one. 😛



LH/S
 
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#11
SurgeTT said:
Also, a tube amp should never be run 'day and night', for break-in or any other purpose.
I have a Souga and the instructions clearly state never to run it for more than 4-5 hours continuously.
Click to expand...

If the instructions state that, it is a very bad product.
Also when tubes were the state of the art active component e.g. radio station transmitters and telecommunication amplifiers ran non stop 24/7.
Or think of recording studios. At no time recording sessions were limited to 4-5 hours because the equipment needed to be switched off.
 
#12
Ludwig, you are a suspicious man, my friend. Relax and don't let your mind jump to conclusions...
I said I was contemplating buying one on August 26. And then - low and behold - on Oct 1., I had one! Isn't our capitalistic logistics system wonderful?! In about 5 weeks we can go from thinking about something to actually having it. Amazing.

Just trying to help, don't appreciate this kind of 'welcome'.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
 
#13
kaputt said:
If the instructions state that, it is a very bad product.
Also when tubes were the state of the art active component e.g. radio station transmitters and telecommunication amplifiers ran non stop 24/7.
Or think of recording studios. At no time recording sessions were limited to 4-5 hours because the equipment needed to be switched off.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say it's a "bad product" - has nothing to do with the design of the amp. It's a function of the use of vacuum tubes.
If you don't care about their lifespan then run them 24/7...
 
#15
SurgeTT said:
I wouldn't say it's a "bad product" - has nothing to do with the design of the amp. It's a function of the use of vacuum tubes.
If you don't care about their lifespan then run them 24/7...
Click to expand...

Ok. You should have noted, that the manual gave that "4 to 5 hour rule" in regards to the lifetime of the tubes.
That lifetime being not any different when running them 24/7 compared to 4h a day. If you measure lifetime in hours of operation. Maybe 24/7 might get you more out of them that way. When measuring in "weeks i sometimes switched the amp on" you will get out more weeks than when dividing the 24/7 hours by seven.
 
#16
SurgeTT said:
Yes, here are the photos, sorry:
Click to expand...

Ok. Thanks for the images. I assume that amplifier has a lot of electrolytics? Their lifetime goes down with a rise in temperature. That also explains that 30 minute warm up time they give. I haven't built amplifiers with electrolytic caps in a while but I remember I had a phono stage that had some Black Gates (which I can't stand but to each their own...) and after the first side of an lp the following ones always sounded better. I did measure the caps later on but don't properly remember what came out; I believe ESR went down after them getting charged.
 
#17
Yeah, I have never seen such a direct proclamation to use an amp for only a few hours at a time; but there it is.
I am a novice and just learning, so I welcome being a part of this forum.

I am helping design a 3 way horn system centered on the RCA 1443, and it will be driven by the Souga.
 
#18
SurgeTT said:
Ludwig, you are a suspicious man, my friend. Relax and don't let your mind jump to conclusions...
I said I was contemplating buying one on August 26. And then - low and behold - on Oct 1., I had one! Isn't our capitalistic logistics system wonderful?! In about 5 weeks we can go from thinking about something to actually having it. Amazing.

Just trying to help, don't appreciate this kind of 'welcome'.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Click to expand...

My apologies and congratulations on what is a great amplifier - I've heard this unit along with similar gear to the original poster (if not the very same) and its superb.


LH/S
 
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