RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Kondo Audio Note Japan KSL M7 Pre Pre Amplifier Kondo KSL M7 Pre amp with built in phono. In excellent condition with original box. Condition: Excellent Payment Method: EFT or cash Region/State: (NSW) New South Wales/Australia By JBoys 1 Comments AUD $22,000 Date: September 2, 20241 yr
Calling this Kondo Audio Note Japan KSL-M7 “excellent” condition immediately justifies leaning into the asking price of A$22,000, but that figure sits above the 75th percentile (A$19,942) of our three recent AUD comps, making it ambitious rather than fair. The median used asking is A$17,386, so you’re paying roughly A$2,056 over that midpoint and A$2,058 above the top quartile—this isn’t a bargain, but it’s not absurd if the preamp truly is pristine and original-owner.
The KSL-M7 is a revered Japan-made phono preamp known for its silky, organic tube sound and exceptional low-noise performance with moving-coil cartridges; its rarity and Kondo’s reputation for durable, hand-wired builds make it a worthwhile hunt when condition is verified. If this listing includes the original chassis, power cord, and any documentation, and if the tubes are recent or original, the upside in timing and rarity can justify the premium—otherwise, it’s a tough sell at this price.
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.
