Фонокорректоры — Kondo Audio Note Japan G-10i

The GE-10i is a stereo valve phono equalizer from Kondo Audio Note Japan, sold under the GE-10 name with an i suffix. The maker presents it as a compilation of all the knowledge and experience of Audio Note, and it was conceived as the partner to the G-1000 line preamplifier, forming a complete preamplifier system for analogue playback. European prices have been around EUR 85,000, and a UK list price of GBP 67,427 is also on record.

Key specs that matter

Two pairs of unbalanced RCA inputs are provided, each at 47 kohm, and one RCA output pair is designed for loads above 20 kohm. Gain is 38 dB. RIAA deviation is within plus or minus 0.5 dB from 30 Hz to 20 kHz, excluding the low-cut filter, and output noise is below 1.5 mV. The valve line-up is two E88CC, four 6072 and two 6CA4 rectifiers. Power consumption is 46 W. The main unit and the power supply have identical cases of 320 mm wide, 160 mm high and 414 mm deep, weighing 15 kg and 20 kg respectively.

Engineering and use context

The equalization is of the CR type, meaning the RIAA curve is set by passive resistor and capacitor networks between gain stages. The first stage is a cascode, and a cathode follower after the equalizer network lowers the output impedance. The supply lives in its own chassis and is fully independent, with 6CA4 valve rectification, separated ripple filter and decoupling capacitors, and a shunt-type heater circuit that holds the 6.3 V filament voltage within 5 percent. Construction uses SSW silk-insulated silver wire, Audio Note silver foil capacitors, transformers and chokes wound in-house, original RCA jacks and a copper chassis. The input load can be set to one of three values, and the preset 20 kohm load together with the output capacitor forms the low-cut filter.

Pairing

With its moderate gain and standard input load, the GE-10i is suited to moving magnet cartridges or for moving coil types used with a step-up transformer ahead of it. With two inputs, a second tonearm or cartridge can remain connected. Its single-ended output wants a line stage with a high input impedance, which the G-1000 and other valve preamplifiers typically provide. The two boxes need a rack with room for separate shelves.

Alternatives

The Kondo GE-7i is a smaller two-chassis phono stage from the same company, using ECC803S input valves and a narrower 160 mm wide power supply.