Sonic Advantage of no Preamp / line-stage

Ah! this one.

Yes, in fact I have heard this somewhere or the other in an Avant Garde Trio system using Cary Audio monoblocks, if memory serves correct. But it was top notch with a top notch pirce tag, unfortunately at the time I was in-between jobs...

The other thing is that in Aus land- down unda- we don't too many offerings of such brands. Very rarely does something like this come up and goes for on the used market. Another major issue is after-sales service. There are hardly any good techs here and it is very hard to find a reliable one close by. You would have to travel interstate to get someone decent. I don't think this brand has any Aussie importer nor service centre.

I remember inquiring from the Kondo importer if I was to purchase the Overture amp, where would I get service? His answer was simple- send it off to Kondo HQ in Japan they'll take care of it since we don't have anyone who can service/trouble shoot Kondo in Aus. Oh great! and that's she wrote, hence I didn't get the Overture! but it was tempting and a truly remarkable integrated amp, just superb pure class A 32w of EL34 power. Just marvelous, and in fact the CAV45 offers glimpses on that quality, must be the magic of EL34's.

Thanks Ron

Harlequin said:

Hi RJ, Only just picked up your reply as I am traveling ATM with patchy Internet, shall pen and post a response ASAP.

Click to expand...

g'day Harly
no worries take your time... I'm at the physio atm attending to my back pain...

When you said "ATM" I thought you were at an atm machine withdrawing cash!
later I realized what atm stood for and so I adopted the abrev myself, how good is that mate!
talk later then, RJ

Well the time has come, I just had to make a move. I got the Classic 60se and a wonderful PV15.
Before I went this route, I tried a few pre's in there. I tried the ET5, ET3se, Classic 2, Arc GSpre and previously the LS28. All of these pre's were extremely good, top quality in sonics but that annoying hiss...
Then tucked away in a corner, in pristine condition, a PV15 was waiting for take off. I know the sound of this beauty very well and have sold many during my dealership days... I hooked up all sources, fired up a signal because the Ethos take a few secs to get going on the panels and vola! no hiss! nothing, dead silent at all levels, hooray! And so the deal was infact down-grading towards a PV15 but the combination with the Classic 60se is just superb!

Overall, I still do miss that midrange magic of EL34's on the Cav45. The Classic60se having KT120's are remarkable indeed. The upper-mid bass is a vast improvement in terms of transparency, speed and weight. Even the lower bass seems to be tighter and fuller. The mids are open and natural, the extended airy highs are all there , similar to the Cav45. The most significant improvement is with the dynamics and drive of transient control, is a real treat to experience and it takes the Ethos to another level altogether.

In terms of power, plenty of headroom therefore I settled for the Classic60se mainly due to room dimensions, and in our new place this amount of amplification will be just right. I believe it won't overpower the room and the musicality is a very important factor for me. I will miss the Cav45 no doubt, and the wifey wasn't too pleased to know BUT after she actually listened, it was not just doof doof and louder but very smooth and musical all the way.

I plan to have my usual late night session today, this will be the real test for all things quiet. I must say I am very impressed with the added depth in soundstage. I am not sure whether the preamp is a contributing factor, the soundstage has expanded and is more open in many ways. Comparing it to the Cav45 was more intimate and something I was very pleased with. However, since this was a great deal for a trade-in plus a brand new Classic60se and a mint condition cj pre, I guess this was in the making.
So cheers to integrateds once again, and a definite big cheers to well designed pre-power combinations.
big woof! RJ

Cheers Ron;

You were absolutely right in terms of greatly improved dynamics, however in terms of richness, vivid soundstage, imaging & depth is still all very much lifelike with the Cav45.

On direct comparison, it is the added spatial cues that are quite apparent with the separate pre-power in place. Also when the level is increased by a fair margin, it kicks into a totally different gear altogether, lifting the performance by a very high bar. The Ethos is a remarkable hybrid stat design. At this point in time, the only true justification in terms of upgrade would be the CLX. I don't think the extra spend on the Ren15A is justified by such a jump in price. I sincerely think the Summit and the rest of the previous Reserve line series is capable of outstanding presentation.

The midrange I must say though, was indeed suprior on the Cav45. That EL34 mid band is highly competitive at the same time addictive. I actually miss it! At one point I felt like keeping the Cav45 as well , just as a second amp but what's the point of that?

As far as the Cav45 was concerned, that was and will be one of my best experiences in audio. Just a simply marvelous all round amplifier. If I had the means, I would have actually kept it!

I know for sure that I do prefer the more fuller robust sound of what the kt120 delivers Having said that, I am in awe of the musicality level as well on both kinds of output tubes- EL34'S & KT120'S. I must try the Classic 120 sometime down the line when my main priorities are taken care of.

For now, I will sit back and enjoy the music, and most of all be appreciative if the fact that I was able to get this deal, inspite of having definite priorities on hand. Deals like this don't come across too often...

I also found the Classic60se to be superior in musicality compared to the Arc Ref75. Plus the Ref75 doesn't have SE inputs. Using adapter cables is not upto ref standard is it?
I found this pre-power match up to work remarkably well with the Ethos so far. Perhaps getting back to an Act2 might be a good idea after all...

Cheers and thanks guys, Harly, and others for the great advice, it certainly helped!
Big dog is in da house!
RJ