Zanden Chukoh preamp finally arrived.

[LL21]

LL21,
I think if you audition the Arrakis, you will understand why Andy Payor has ceased the Arrakis and even ended development of the Arrakis II.

So that means that you don't like the Arrakis?? Can you explain..

Yes...I also like to understand more...Arrakis is probably my favorite speaker of all time.

 

[Marcus]

The Chukoh is "cooking" since seven days before I get my opinion and findings i like to "cook" it for at least one more week.
All i can say for know is that today seventh day i saw definitely some "Light of the Universe ".

Hey Amadeus, is your Chukoh cooked yet? Would really appreciate if you could share your thoughts about this unique preamp, also in the context of your previous reference Koda K10g2.

 

[amadeus]

Hey Amadeus, is your Chukoh cooked yet? Would really appreciate if you could share your thoughts about this unique preamp, also in the context of your previous reference Koda K10g2.

Hi Marcus yes the Chukoh is cooked and it let me make my Tong smelt every single time i listen to heavenly Music... I have changed the 300B Tubes from Takatsuki 300B after Burn inn to Western Electric 300B and there is no way to go back Western Electric is so much more Harmonic and delightful!
THe Zanden Chukoh in my opinion is not just one of the Best preamps but probably on his own at a lonely height its a piece of art a collectors item and very (almost impossible) difficult to approach the level and refinement its more open it has more harmonic richness it is faster it has more resolution and it is the absolute benchmark of being Neutral what means almost absolute Naturally.

Robert Koda K10G2 is in my opinion best ever preamp in the price level and far above. The Zanden Chukoh is almost 5 times more expensive and maybe 20% better which is a very very difficult task to achieve for a designer...

 

[plasmod3]

Hi Amadeus

Echoing Ll21's thoughts - did you get a chance to compare the Koda 15ex with the Chukoh? I will be very interested to know how they fare compared to one another. Amazing setup there as well Amadeus - congrats

 

[spiritofmusic]

I have issues with self confidence, borne of the slings and arrows of WBF barbs Lol. But I would have deep feelings of great personal unworthiness if this piece of magic resided in my room. I'll spend the budget instead on psychotherapy/character and confidence building Lol.

 

[howiebrou]

I have issues with self confidence, borne of the slings and arrows of WBF barbs Lol. But I would have deep feelings of great personal unworthiness if this piece of magic resided in my room. I'll spend the budget instead on psychotherapy/character and confidence building Lol.

Surely the Zus have already done you in?

 

[spiritofmusic]

"WBF barbs". Whatcha think they're from Lol. Zu SQ is a soothing balm compared to the hailstorm that is the reaction to them.

 

[the sound of Tao]

I have issues with self confidence, borne of the slings and arrows of WBF barbs Lol. But I would have deep feelings of great personal unworthiness if this piece of magic resided in my room. I'll spend the budget instead on psychotherapy/character and confidence building Lol.

Psychotherapy or Bocchinos... omg get your priorities right Marc

 

[XV-1]

An enormous congratulations, Amadeus! That is truly sensational! As a big-time Zanden fan...i look forward to reading how it compares with your already-magnificent Koda K10G2.

I was just speaking with Eric Pheils at Zanden earlier this week! I have just installed 2nd hand SRA Ohio XL isobases which were designed/calibrated for our Zanden digital...remarkable.

Please post when you can! Enjoy!

Lloyd

Did you listen to the Zanden Chukoh preamp when you were looking at new preamps?
I know you have the big Zanden digital front end.

 

[howiebrou]

Lloyd

Did you listen to the Zanden Chukoh preamp when you were looking at new preamps?
I know you have the big Zanden digital front end.

I wouldn't mind comparing the Chukuoh with the K15ex as well. It would match my Jinpu well...but not necessarily my K70mk2 amps.

 

[XV-1]

I wouldn't mind comparing the Chukuoh with the K15ex as well. It would match my Jinpu well...but not necessarily my K70mk2 amps.

Competing distributors in HK Howie?

 

[howiebrou]

Competing distributors in HK Howie?

No, one and the same actually

 

[LL21]

...THe Zanden Chukoh in my opinion is not just one of the Best preamps but probably on his own at a lonely height its a piece of art a collectors item and very (almost impossible) difficult to approach the level and refinement its more open it has more harmonic richness it is faster it has more resolution and it is the absolute benchmark of being Neutral what means almost absolute Naturally.

Robert Koda K10G2 is in my opinion best ever preamp in the price level and far above. The Zanden Chukoh is almost 5 times more expensive and maybe 20% better which is a very very difficult task to achieve for a designer...

Hi Amadeus
Echoing Ll21's thoughts - did you get a chance to compare the Koda 15ex with the Chukoh? I will be very interested to know how they fare compared to one another. Amazing setup there as well Amadeus - congrats

Lloyd
Did you listen to the Zanden Chukoh preamp when you were looking at new preamps?
I know you have the big Zanden digital front end.

I put the above 3 posts together for this. If the owner of both Chukoh and Robert Koda k10g2 feels his K10 series 2 is within 20% of the preamp which sits on "lonely height" as a "piece of art a collector's item and...almost impossible...approach to refinement, harmonic richness, resolution...the absolute benchmark of neutral and natural"...well that says to me that the K15EX (being by a number of accounts superior to the K10g2 (providing your system is up for it and finely balanced already according to Amadeus)...then that answers my question to XV-1.

No, as much as the Zanden 4-box is by far the longest running piece in my system and still stunning by any personal measure, for reasons purely of cost and practicality, I did NOT investigate the Zanden Chukoh...largely on the basis my impression from the above is the K15EX gets super-duper close for significantly less money.

And that for me, is PLENTY! And I am genuinely enjoying it and consider myself very blessed to own it!

 

[howiebrou]

I put the above 3 posts together for this. If the owner of both Chukoh and Robert Koda k10g2 feels his K10 series 2 is within 20% of the preamp which sits on "lonely height" as a "piece of art a collector's item and...almost impossible...approach to refinement, harmonic richness, resolution...the absolute benchmark of neutral and natural"...well that says to me that the K15EX (being by a number of accounts superior to the K10g2 (providing your system is up for it and finely balanced already according to Amadeus)...then that answers my question to XV-1.

No, as much as the Zanden 4-box is by far the longest running piece in my system and still stunning by any personal measure, for reasons purely of cost and practicality, I did NOT investigate the Chukoh...largely on the basis my impression from the above is the K15EX gets super-duper close for significantly less money.

And that for me, is PLENTY! And I am genuinely enjoying it and consider myself very blessed to own it!

Well said Lloyd. No need to chase the fictional rainbow.

 

[LL21]

Well said Lloyd. No need to chase the fictional rainbow.

Well to be fair, I think many people would be well within their rights to accuse me of having already pursued quite a rainbow over the last 20-30 years since my first boombox! And I have to say if money were absolutely no object whatsoever, would I have at least listened to the Chukoh?...ok, yeah probably.

The most important element is: do I miss the Zanden Chukoh option (as sometimes happens when you are looking for the next upgrade)? Absolutely, positively not. And I suppose that for me is my own personal endorsement of the level of extraordinary pleasure I take in the K15EX.

 

[plasmod3]

pot of gold at the end of the rainbow howie haha!

Prob is if you have the level of a chukoh...you will end up getting the zanden custom amps that ae has as well i imagine? lol It's like what someone told me ....a ferrari driving on toyota tyres. That someone convinced me (right or wrong ) to get a lotta stuff lol

 

[howiebrou]

pot of gold at the end of the rainbow howie haha!

Prob is if you have the level of a chukoh...you will end up getting the zanden custom amps that ae has as well i imagine? lol It's like what someone told me ....a ferrari driving on toyota tyres. That someone convinced me (right or wrong ) to get a lotta stuff lol

If you've never seen them in the flesh those Zanden creations are amazing.

 

[plasmod3]

Never in the flesh Howie, the pictures look like a net gear router box but in metal where pictures always understand the gear a bit. When covid I s over... I really need to get myself to hk, you have an audiophile's paradise there I can only dream of

 

[howiebrou]

Never in the flesh Howie, the pictures look like a net gear router box but in metal where pictures always understand the gear a bit. When covid I s over... I really need to get myself to hk, you have an audiophile's paradise there I can only dream of

Welcome anytime. Bring a container and fill it with goodies!

 

[amadeus]

Hi Amadeus

Echoing Ll21's thoughts - did you get a chance to compare the Koda 15ex with the Chukoh? I will be very interested to know how they fare compared to one another. Amazing setup there as well Amadeus - congrats

The Chukoh and K15EX are both capable to go whit you to the eternity they are different designs and both true "Master works" i cant prefer or choose my self...