GE-7 i

Key Features

• Two-chassis stereo valve phono equalizer amplifier
• NF-type active RIAA equalization circuit
• ECC803S SRPP first stage
• Parallel 6072 cathode-follower output stage
• Low output impedance for compatibility with suitable valve and solid-state preamplifiers
• Separate amplification and power-supply enclosures
• Two switchable RCA phono inputs
• Three selectable output-loading settings
• Integrated first-order low-cut filter
• Shunt-regulated 6.3-volt DC heater supply
• Pure-copper main chassis
• Kondo pure-silver foil capacitors and silver-lead resistors
• Kondo SSW silver internal wiring and silver-shielded cable
• Silver-palladium-plated RCA connectors
• Zirconia valve sockets
• Supplied with an ACz-AVOCADO power cable
• Carefully hand-wired and manufactured in Japan

Design & Build

The GE-7i uses an NF-type equalization circuit with an ECC803S-based SRPP first stage. Its output section employs parallel-connected 6072 tubes in a cathode-follower configuration, lowering output impedance while maintaining the tonal character of Kondo’s valve circuitry.

The phono section is modularized, with decoupling capacitors placed close to the amplification circuits to minimize signal-loop length. Kondo’s pure-silver foil capacitors, silver-lead resistors, SSW wiring and silver-shielded cable are installed within a pure-copper main chassis.

A separate enclosure isolates the custom power transformer and choke from the low-level phono circuitry. The shunt-type heater supply provides regulated 6.3-volt DC power and maintains stable heater voltage when the incoming mains supply fluctuates.

System Pairing

The GE-7i offers two 47-kohm RCA inputs for moving-magnet cartridges or moving-coil cartridges connected through an appropriate step-up transformer. This allows two analogue sources or tonearm-and-cartridge combinations to remain connected.

Three selectable output-loading settings allow the GE-7i to be matched to the input impedance of the connected preamplifier. The selected resistance combines with the output coupling capacitor to create a gentle low-cut filter, reducing subsonic noise without adding a complex filter network to the signal path.

Its RCA output is designed to operate into a minimum load of 20 kohms, supporting pairing with suitable Kondo line preamplifiers as well as compatible valve or solid-state designs.