GE-2 i

Key Features

• Single-chassis stereo valve phono equalizer amplifier
• NF-type active RIAA equalization circuit
• ECC803S equalization stage
• Parallel 6072 cathode-follower output stage
• Two switchable RCA phono inputs
• Three selectable output-loading settings
• Integrated first-order low-cut filter
• Redesigned heater power supply
• Darlington heater regulator using metal-can transistors
• EZ81 valve rectification
• Modular phono equalizer section
• Kondo pure-silver foil capacitors and silver-lead resistors
• Kondo SSW silver internal wiring
• Silver-palladium-plated RCA connectors
• Zirconia valve sockets
• Custom Kondo power transformer
• Supplied with an ACz-AVOCADO power cable
• Carefully hand-wired and manufactured in Japan

Design & Build

The GE-2i’s NF-type equalization stage uses two ECC803S tubes, followed by a cathode-follower output circuit employing two parallel-connected 6072 tubes. Operating the 6072s in parallel reduces output impedance and improves compatibility with the following line preamplifier.

Its power supply combines an EZ81 rectifier tube with a custom Kondo transformer optimized for vibration control. The heater regulator uses two metal-can transistors in a Darlington configuration to maintain stable voltage even when the incoming power supply fluctuates by ±10%.

Kondo pure-silver foil capacitors, silver-lead resistors, SSW internal wiring, silver-palladium-plated RCA connectors and zirconia valve sockets are arranged within a larger single chassis shared stylistically with the G-72i.

System Pairing

The GE-2i provides two 47-kohm RCA inputs for moving-magnet cartridges. A low-output moving-coil cartridge can be connected through a suitable step-up transformer such as the Kondo SFz or SFz-E.

Its three-position output-loading selector adjusts the internal load resistor according to the input impedance of the connected preamplifier. This resistance combines with the output coupling capacitor to create a gentle –6 dB-per-octave low-cut filter, reducing ultra-low-frequency energy caused by record warps.

Designed as the natural companion for the G-72i, the GE-2i can also be used with other line preamplifiers offering an input impedance of at least 20 kohms.