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Kondo KSL SF-Z silver wired step up. 1,3,40 ohm settings. Excellent condition. Collection welcome or will post at cost.
At £3,600, this looks well-priced to excellent versus the obvious alternative at this level: a normal high-end phono stage from the usual big Japanese or British brands, where you often get far less of Kondo’s refinement and cachet for similar money. The Kondo KSL-SFz has enough reputation and scarcity that this asking price feels buyer-friendly rather than ambitious, especially in excellent condition.
What you’re buying is a very serious moving-coil phono stage with the kind of tone, scale, and texture Kondo is known for: musical density, low-level detail, and an easy, composed presentation that can make vinyl feel more alive. If it’s complete and unmodified, that’s the real upside here, because these pieces are sought after and not common on the used market. I’d want to confirm provenance, valve health, and that any step-up/loading setup is intact, but at this price those are checks, not red flags.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
# Kondo Audio Note Japan
Kondo Audio Note Japan was founded in 1976 by Hiroyasu Kondo, a metallurgist and son of a Buddhist priest whose technical expertise and philosophical approach to sound reproduction shaped the company's identity. Based in Japan, the brand has maintained its independence and commitment to handcrafted manufacturing for nearly five decades, recently adopting the "Kondo" name to reflect its founder's central role in the company's vision and legacy.
The brand is renowned primarily for vacuum-tube amplification, particularly its legendary power amplifiers and preamplifiers. The 1989 Ongaku power amplifier stands as a watershed moment in high-end audio history, establishing Kondo's reputation for sonic refinement and technical innovation. The company also manufactures integrated amplifiers, preamplifiers like the iconic M7 Heritage, and proprietary capacitors—all produced through meticulous, point-to-point hand-wiring and manual assembly processes that prioritize component quality over production volume.
Kondo Audio Note Japan occupies the ultra-premium tier of the hi-fi market, commanding prices that reflect its artisanal manufacturing, exotic component selection, and uncompromising design philosophy. The brand appeals to dedicated audiophiles and collectors who value emotional engagement with music reproduction and are willing to invest substantially in equipment that combines technical excellence with aesthetic and sonic character. Its reputation rests on exclusivity, heritage, and an unwavering commitment to analog-era design principles adapted for contemporary listening.
See all Kondo Audio Note Japan listings on RADAR.
