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This just in from Steve Klein of Sounds of Silence, the US importer for Audio Note Japan.We regret to inform that on January 8th 2006, Hiroyasu Kondo, founder of
Audio Note Japan, passed away peacefully in his sleep while attending the
CES audio show in Las Vegas. He is survived by his wife, Kazuko; his son, Yuji; and his daughter, Hisae.Hiroyasu Kondo, the second son of a Buddhist priest, was a professor of
electronic engineering and molecular metallurgy. He founded Audio Note in
Japan in 1976, facilitating his desire to develop audio equipment capable of
reproducing the essence of artistic performance captured in recorded music.
He was often referred to as the "silver smith" for his revolutionary use of
age annealed silver in his audio equipment. The Kondo ONGAKU amplifier will
forever be a symbol of his success. He was the Picasso of contemporary audio design.Kondo San had suffered ill health for some time. In order to ensure that
the Kondo standard would flourish, he appointed his close colleague Masaki Ashizawa as President of Audio Note Japan six months ago. Ashizawa San has worked with Kondo San for the past 16 years and shared Kondo San's passion for creating “perfect sound."On behalf of Kondo San’s family, we would like to thank all those people
from around the world who have sent tributes expressing their affection for
Kondo San and acknowledging his place in audio history.
Follow Ups:
I was shocked to learn this news..Kondo-San demonstrated how music can be reproducted through basic but serious design and construction of the amplifier, the AUDIO NOTE M7 line pre-amp, which I checked/repaired for my friend, the owner, and I was impressed by the overall design. I enjoyed the music from the pre-amp for a couple weeks. He is indeed a legend that we can learn from.
May Kondo-San rest in peace and his passion live on..
AUDIO NOTE CO., LTD
1-9-2 Koyama
Shinagawa-ku Tokyo
Japan
ANJ INTERNATIONAL LTD
1st Floor Prosun Building
2 - 6 Fui Yiu Kok Street
Tsuen Wan
Hong Kong
OBITUARY OF HIROYASU KONDO
We regret to inform that on January 8th 2006, Hiroyasu Kondo, founder of Audio Note Japan, passed away peacefully in his sleep while attending the T.H.E. SHOW audio show in Las Vegas. He is survived by his wife, Kazuko; his son, Yuji; and his daughter, Hisae.
Hiroyasu Kondo, the second son of a Buddhist priest, was a professor of electronic engineering and molecular metallurgy. He founded Audio Note in Japan in 1976, facilitating his desire to develop audio equipment capable of reproducing the essence of artistic performance captured in recorded music. He was often referred to as the "silver smith" for his revolutionary use of age annealed silver in his audio equipment. The Kondo ONGAKU amplifier will forever be a symbol of his success.
Kondo San had suffered ill health for some time. In order to ensure that the Kondo standard would flourish, he appointed his close colleague, Masaki Ashizawa, who he worked with for 16 years, as the President of Audio Note Japan six months ago.
On behalf of Kondo San’s family, we would like to thank all those people
from around the world who have sent tributes expressing their affection for
Kondo San and acknowledging his place in audio history.
I shook his hand and hugged him the day he died at the kondo room at ces. He smiled and told me how happy he was to see me( masaki translated). I saw how ill he was and wondered how long he would be with us. In 1996 he came to New York .I asked him what he wanted to do. "see CATS". I got him tickets. He loved it.I wondered ,CATS?no opera?no philharmonic? Then thinking about him it sort of made sense. Kondo was ageless ,puffing away on a cigarette24/7,rollicking over outlandish cartoons and handbuilding the world's finest amplifiers. An old man,teenager and child all at the same time. I am deeply sad
On behalf of Kondo San’s family, we would like to thank everbody here who have sent tributes expressing their affection for Kondo San and acknowledging his place in audio history.I have witnessed the moment that we found Kondo San passed away peacefully in his sleep when we entered his room in the hotel. He actually slept like a baby but only without response to any attempt to wake him up. Before he go to the Las Vegas CES, he expressed that this will be his last visit to audio show. He really had his last will fullfilled. He must be very much content with what he has achieved at the past 30 years in audio history and passing away at his most beloved career exhibition.There is an old saying that one passes away in his sleep is the most fortunated at ones life. It is really a reward for someone who had done some really good things in life. Kondo San must be enjoying happily now at The Audio Nirvana.
...a true craftsman who pioneered the use of uniquely wound transformers and passive components (Tantalum resistors, anyone) and more. It is to too bad that many of his ideas and company name were "lifted" by a certain individual of dubious distinction. Rest well Kondo-san, may you have the peace you so deserve.
I just got an email from Japan informing me of this sad news and logged here to find more details.... what a sad day.Nami and I met kondo san in Japan at his home/studio. We found him a very pleasant, down to earth and humble man, by any standard, and in particular when you consider his high accomplishments.
Our thoughts go with Kondo san's family, friends, colleagues, and fans like us. May he rest in peace.
Mehran and Nami
Sad news :-(
If at all possible, please pass on my condolences to Kondo-san's family and colleagues. A sad day indeed.
R.I.P.
Sad news indeed.It's been going around for a few days not and I was hoping
it wasn't true.We lost a great man; a toobophile and a music lover.
He will be remembered for his unique amplifiers as Jeff noted
and a huge contribution to audio comunity.He has my utmost respect.
May he rest in peace.
(Take good care of him, Dr. Rosenberg!)
--
"Whenever I consider my mortality and ask myself
what I would do if I only had a short time to live,
an intrinsic part of the answer is,
Get the most musical pleasure. - Dr. Gizmo
..his legacy will live forth in his wonderful products.
Sad news. I saw Kondo-San at the show, perhaps on his last day with us. May he rest in peace and his passion live on.
My condolences to Mr. Kondo's staff and his loved ones. I missed my one chance of meeting him in person on January 8.
My condolences to Mr. Kondo and his loved ones. I missed my one chance of meeting him in person on January 8.
I own a lot of his splendid work, and I have met him personal more than once. For me he is the greatest Triode-Meister off them all.All his work is art and brings a lot of happiness and good time in my life. This is a sad day for the Audio community.
I’m sure he finally reached Audio Nirvana.God bless him, his family and his friends,
NC
Agreed.His rare designs will continue to glow and bring more music for at least another generation, I'm sure.
I recall that he made his own passive parts as well.I did a few shows with the Golden Tube Audio brother - Chris & Joseph Lau. We went together to a Japanese restaurant, and Kondo-san was there.
They held him in deep respect, almost reverence.
Jeff,Yes, he made his own silver foil capacitors and other bits. Having owned the Ongaku, i can attest to seeing these parts in his products. As for Kondo's products, can only comment on one product that was a blessing to have enjoyed for a few years. Truly outstanding!
PS: have also examined one of his all-silver output transformers and the windings were perfect to the naked eye.
Enjoy the Music,
link below
That's a great picture Steve! :)
Kondo has his "OMG" face on, tho! :)
--
"Whenever I consider my mortality and ask myself
what I would do if I only had a short time to live,
an intrinsic part of the answer is,
Get the most musical pleasure. - Dr. Gizmo
...through his interpreter. He spoke virtually no English and was a true gentleman. He was impressed that this wild looking American had heard of him, let alone had one of his legendary products. Remember, this was before SE became as accepted within mainstream as it is today.SIDE NOTE: Funny, i recall when finally a certain mainstream print magazine actually reviewed their first SE amplifier (Cary as i recall) they said some less than favorable things regarding the measurements. The subjective review was very positive tho. Of course this was when Mark Levinson (not the man) and Krell electronics were 'King' and a value of watts per dollar were being touted. So imagine what $70k and 26 watts per channel did (LOL).
ANYWAY... Over the years Kondo and i discussed various things audio and music. Sure my dress code was a bit, well, wild back then. Ya know, i kinda miss those wild and wacky days and am sure you saw the pic of Gizmo on the web page as well.
Kondo will be dearly missed by many.
Ah yes, the good ol' days...
Enjoy the Music,
Steven R. Rochlin
PS: Over the years i have gathered some writings by Kondo, his signature, and other bits. Years ago Audio Note Japan had an informal printed newsletter of sorts...
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