2. amps-preamps
  3. 126608-79051

Genuine Kondo???

Been staring at these two listings and can't work out if they are genuine or not. They have stirred an interest in me at the price as heard and loved them at a dealership a year ago. Price looks good as well. 

Emailed the guy who says he is in Germany, sent me pics of a filled crate and I can visit but he doesn't have PayPal which makes me very suspicious. 
http://mobile.audiophile.org/for-sale/amplifiers/tube/advertisement/32872/audio-note-kondo-gaku-on/

This looks more promising but is rather expensive at €13500. 
http://www.audio-markt.de/_markt/item.php?id=5649365367&audioauktion=0d2a8a19c00039f02dfdfdd41ed...

Would welcome your reflections and thoughts on these listings. How would the more experienced of you approach these items?

.

as
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
P.S: Internet searches of the name and the address appearing in the ad I linked to in my post above, and on some more common variations of the name, suggest a strong possibility of that ad being fraudulent as well.  As does the indication of Audio Research under "Brand."

Regards,
-- Al

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Al, 
The FBI could sure use your investigative acumen these days 😊
Charles 
as OP
1 posts
 
Thank you for your observations. I am suspicious about the advert for the amp even if reassures me I can visit him and has sent me photos of the crates. There's no way I'd transfer any money without seeing them and getting them checked over. 

Tempted by the DAV but a bit overpriced IMHO. 
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Charles, thank you :-)

A bit of additional input about the person in Germany offering the Kondo Gakuon:  A Google search of the person's user id leads to the following statement for an identical user id at US Audio Mart, UK Audio Mart, and Canuck Audio Mart:

Warning

Banned User. This account cannot be accessed because the account has been banned and no longer public.

The reason for the ban was listed as: Suspected of fraudulent activity.

Regards,
-- Al
 
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