I got a really intriguing note from a reader who owns both a Kondo Audio Note phono preamplifier and the New Valve Order SPA-II phono preamplifier. Let's just say this reader, whom I've met in person once upon a time, and who wishes to remain anonymous, owns some really, really, amazing Hi-Fi gear that we all lust after. Just like you (and I) do, he went and bought the NVO based on a review, in this case my review at Positive Feedback Online that you can read here.

As you know, I'm got a reputation in the audio underground for uncovering audio gems that no one has yet discovered, and the New Valve Order SPA-II phono preamplifier pretty much blew me away, so you know what that means!

Well anyways, said the distinguished reader, "Just wanted to tell you that based on your review of the NVO SPA II phono unit I took a chance and bought one, it arrived late this past week so don't have many hours on it but it is a spectacular unit!" This reader went on to tell me that the NVO is even quieter than his JC 3 Parasound phono preamplifier, and that "it is the finest phono unit I've had to date and that even includes my Kondo ... Yes the Kondo has this "earthy" tone and transparent quality but as far as musicality goes the SPA is the winner."

Wow. I love this sort of feedback. In the review of the New Valve Order SPA-II phono preamplifier I said:

"Think of it like this: remember when word just started to leak out about the musical significance of Shindo or Leben electronics, and when you could buy them for a reasonable price before the price shot sky-high? Well that's what you have here with the New Valve Order SPA-II, an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something wonderful at a very fair price."

One of my goals for the near future with the NVO SPA II is to try some NOS tubes in place of the stock tubes. As I said in the review:

"For those of you who want to do a little tube rolling with your SPA-II and find out the answer to that question, Panikos told me, "Of all the tubes in the circuit, the most important are the V5, 6, 7, 8 & 9, the 3 x 12AX7, and the 2 x 12AU7 (the positions are marked numerically on the circuit board). I have tried some of the usual famous NOS from Mullard, RCA and others, with the usual nice results one gets from them. Substituting a few choice NOS tubes can help you to fine tune the SPA II to the rest of the system and personal tastes. My personal preference are the Mullard 12ax7 for I61 & I63, and the Mullard 12AU7/ECC82. I like them for their rich and warm sound, but also got nice results from RCA and Raytheon JAN CRP types.""

Think about this for a moment: If the NVO SPA II slapped down a Kondo with its stock tube set, imagine what the result would be with NOS tubes substituted into the SPA II's circuit where it counts.

I wasn't kidding when I said:

"Given the quality of the construction (the SPA-II reminds me of Audio Research electronics both in appearance and build quality), the fact that it is a cutting edge phono preamplifier design with 22 vacuum tubes, and that it sounds magnificent, $4600 USD is a ridiculously fair price for the SPA-II."

"The New Valve Order SPA-II designed by Andreas Hadjiminas is a significant achievement in vacuum tube phono preamplifier design, and it's easy to understand why Andreas' friend Panikos Kontemeniotis is so enthusiastic about it. At $4600 I think Andreas and Panikos are going to have lots of new friends and fans from around the world. Highly recommended to music lovers everywhere!"

New Valve Order is the Kondo of Cyprus. Or maybe Kondo is the the New Valve Order of Japan. To make arrangements to purchase an NVO SPA-II (or for inquiries), please contact Panikos Kontemeniotis at [email protected]. Be sure to tell Panikos and Andreas that Jeff sent you.

NVO web address: http://nvoaudio.blogspot.com/