Wasting no time after a good meal, we went straight to Hifi Creations music room. What's new was the realignment of fixture and furniture, and a new partition that separates the music room from pantry from my last visit two weeks ago. The new partition is said to cut down noise and accidental new found bass. I must say Louis did a good job working the system, he gets my renewed respect. You know, many manufacturers blame others for less satisfying sound and didn't do justice to their products, do little to bring the best out from the situation. In this regard, Louis is a true audiophile in nature. This man got his hands dirty and didn't shy away from telling me which speaker he prefers. His choice of speaker happened to be my dream speaker. This instill confidence, gives me an insight into his sonic preference; the priceless neutrality. End result, the system now became more cohesive, less protruding bass and more expansive soundstage than last heard. The renovation helps the sound stabilized.
Louis is a fun and easy going guy. He played a track to warm up the system before the real audio starts. Our honorable heavy weights were no average Joe. A quick system run down, top of the line Kronos Pro turntable and XYZ cartridge, Nagra phono and Preamp and Magnet mono bi amping, wired up with Skogrand throughout. Room size is approximately 16' x 20' x 10'. Seating spot is approximately 8' unilateral triangle. Listening volume roughly hits 90s at peak, about right, not overly loud. This too is important.
We were listening to early 60s jazz standards, I must say the recording selection was top notch. Count Bassie mono, Duke Ellington and some other great jazz master were on the playing list. Kronos Pro is one hell of turntable. What Louis did this differently from the competitor is, he fitted a counter rotating platter right below the main platter. And he's honest enough to reveal that the design idea is not his brainchild, but he perfected it. The ingenious counter rotary of bottom platter neutralizes the top platter, did a marvelous job eliminating the torque resonance. No measurable resonance. No rumble, no skipping occurred too knocking the rack the Kronos rests upon. Play wasn't interrupted when jittering Kronos front to back and sideways. This is the second turntable after Clearaudio Statement I had seen with such immunity. With a hefty price tag, it lives up to the claim.
How effective is the counter rotating platter? Louis wanted me to discern the sound without the counter rotating platter in motion. I was all sweat, this was an audible test in public and I didn't want be branded as cock ear. I want to thank my parents, my uncles and aunties, I survived the test. The sound was diffused, laid back and lifeless! Resonance sucks up life! Once you heard the magic, it is hard to go back. Work hard to make money to carry a Kronos home.
Count Bassie mono LP, exhibits an unbelievable level of tonal richness. So musical, isn't this hifi about? Enjoy the music, be lost in an illusion of space and time. Double bass, bass pitch and definition was immaculate. Concurrent double bass and foot stomping, no masking, it is easy to discern the two. I could see Kronos Pro as front end in a top notch system, in a good room would be unimaginably enjoyable.
Some complained it is too cheap for what's it worth. You know how Chinese are like, low price, big bowl. And you know too that I don't do commercial review. Go check out yourself.
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