Amp recommendation for Kharma

B

Bob82

New member
Joined
May 4, 2019
Messages
155
Location
Malaysia
Hi folks,

I just got a pair of ex demo Kharma S7S and was hoping if someone can recommend a good power amp- stereo preferably that matches well with Kharma below $30 grand. I have only heard the Kharma with VAC 200IQ mono blocks and Audia Strumento monoblocks. Linestage used is VAC Signature MKIIA SE.

Among options that I had looked at are:
1) Boulder 1160/1161
2) Gryphon Antileon Evo
3) CH Precision A1 /1.5
4) Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse

Thanks in advance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bob82 said:
Hi folks,

I just got a pair of ex demo Kharma S7S and was hoping if someone can recommend a good power amp- stereo preferably that matches well with Kharma below $30 grand. I have only heard the Kharma with VAC 200IQ mono blocks and Audia Strumento monoblocks. Linestage used is VAC Signature MKIIA SE.

Among options that I had looked at are:
1) Boulder 1160/1161
2) Gryphon Antileon Evo
3) CH Precision A1 /1.5
4) Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse

Thanks in advance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Congrats. Any first impressions?

Antileon Evo would be my pick followed by the 1161.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Mike said:
Congrats. Any first impressions?

Antileon Evo would be my pick followed by the 1161.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

There is something very special about how these speakers perform. I amazed at how excellent they are for a 2 way.

I am looking at the Boulder 1161 but the Gryphon Antileon Evo is a lot more expensive but with Class A power the Kharma will be magic.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bob82 said:
Hi folks,

I just got a pair of ex demo Kharma S7S and was hoping if someone can recommend a good power amp- stereo preferably that matches well with Kharma below $30 grand. I have only heard the Kharma with VAC 200IQ mono blocks and Audia Strumento monoblocks. Linestage used is VAC Signature MKIIA SE.

Among options that I had looked at are:
1) Boulder 1160/1161
2) Gryphon Antileon Evo
3) CH Precision A1 /1.5
4) Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse

Thanks in advance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Congrats, those are nice sounding speakers (nice looking as well).
On your listed cjhoices, I would prefer the CH precision followed by the Antileon. Subjectively, both offer stable driving capability, frequency extension with excellent balance and naturalness. I also listened to the Elegance model driven by a Symphonic Line Kraft amp (similar to mine) and I was sincerely impressed by the musical result -- different model to yours however, so not directly relevant.
 
Gregm said:
Congrats, those are nice sounding speakers (nice looking as well).
On your listed cjhoices, I would prefer the CH precision followed by the Antileon. Subjectively, both offer stable driving capability, frequency extension with excellent balance and naturalness. I also listened to the Elegance model driven by a Symphonic Line Kraft amp (similar to mine) and I was sincerely impressed by the musical result -- different model to yours however, so not directly relevant.
Click to expand...

Like how CH Precision is doing business - modularity and upgradability means that one could upgrade the A1 to A1.5.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bob82 said:
Like how CH Precision is doing business - modularity and upgradability means that one could upgrade the A1 to A1.5.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Agreed. I'd say the 1.5 is the one you need here.
 
They are paired with VAC and Viola at Elite Audio in SF. If you have a VAC linestage, I would stay with VAC . Mike here liked the VAC Signature 200 amps in a different thread. I can't find the thread. Maybe it got pulled. Maybe VAC is not in the title. Either way, synergy with your preamp????? Throwing in a different brand power amp will possibly leave you wondering if its the amps, speaker, preamp. Just what are you hearing.
 
Kingrex said:
They are paired with VAC and Viola at Elite Audio in SF. If you have a VAC linestage, I would stay with VAC . Mike here liked the VAC Signature 200 amps in a different thread. I can't find the thread. Maybe it got pulled. Maybe VAC is not in the title. Either way, synergy with your preamp????? Throwing in a different brand power amp will possibly leave you wondering if its the amps, speaker, preamp. Just what are you hearing.
Click to expand...

Hi Kingrex

Agreed on the concerns on synergy and just trying to against the grain. It is not easy pairing a tube and solid state amplifier just only that the VAC is more compliant- sound and electrical wise.

In fact the VAC 200IQ were the first amps I heard the Kharma S7S, DB7S and Exquisite line with. They are not any lesser than the solid state amplifiers I had mentioned and without a shadow of a doubt, those new generation of VAC amps are indeed special.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
From what I remember listening to Kharma, they were very accurate. Very detailed. You have to assess what makes you happy. Is it building on that. Do you want a super clean, clear system. Or do you want a more colored romantic sound.
I was listening to my amps last night. I was also thinking about what I hear at Ultrafast house. I was very much liking what I was hearing, but I was also aware I don't have the ability to hear micro details as he does. In a way I like that surgical lense into the recording. At the same time, I like to gel and just chill to a pretty sound.
Not that SS can't be pretty. Only that every amp has a voice. More so than source gear.
 
Kingrex said:
From what I remember listening to Kharma, they were very accurate. Very detailed. You have to assess what makes you happy. Is it building on that. Do you want a super clean, clear system. Or do you want a more colored romantic sound.
I was listening to my amps last night. I was also thinking about what I hear at Ultrafast house. I was very much liking what I was hearing, but I was also aware I don't have the ability to hear micro details as he does. In a way I like that surgical lense into the recording. At the same time, I like to gel and just chill to a pretty sound.
Not that SS can't be pretty. Only that every amp has a voice. More so than source gear.
Click to expand...

Kharmas do sound like the way you described them- detailed, ruthless precision and slightly unforgiving. Pairing them with a tube pre/SS power amp shows a different side of the speakers.
My dealer had them hooked up to Audia Strumento monos via VAC preamp and sounded totally different in the low end.
To be honest, I like the latter a lot as the balance made it sound good better with genres that required low end grip I.e. rock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Congratulations on the S7s purchase, audio jewellery :)

I have previous generation CRM 2.3ce, the ceramic tweeter and mid deliver great clarity which is filled out by the nomex bass driver. A different balance to your speaker I'd imagine (not having heard S7s) but not a million miles away. They benefit massively from precise placement cm's can make all the difference between good and great

I ran them for many years with an Aesthetix Calypso and Kharma's own MP150 mono's. A great combo, musical and engaging. I had a fair few pre's through, ARC Ref, AN and the like, none of which encouraged me to part with the Aesthetix though a couple of a pre's way out of my price range offered real improvement, Robert Koda K10 being the pinnacle.

A Dartzeel integrated made a brief appearance, it did sound good, a step up from what I was running but a big uptick in $$$ for what I felt modest gains

I add all that for context

A few months ago I added an Analog Domain M75D integrated. Blown away, streets ahead of any other combination I've heard in my system previously, can't quite believe the difference it's made. It has taken the Kharma to a place I didn't think they were capable. The audio buddy most familiar with my system summed it up after he'd heard it for the first time, 'astonishing'.

If available where you are it's well worth investigating.

I read a comment elsewhere by an individual who'd had the M75D & P in his system that there was something of the Boulder sound about them, another avenue that may be worth exploring

Enjoy optimising your Kharma's
 
defride said:
Congratulations on the S7s purchase, audio jewellery :)

I have previous generation CRM 2.3ce, the ceramic tweeter and mid deliver great clarity which is filled out by the nomex bass driver. A different balance to your speaker I'd imagine (not having heard S7s) but not a million miles away. They benefit massively from precise placement cm's can make all the difference between good and great

I ran them for many years with an Aesthetix Calypso and Kharma's own MP150 mono's. A great combo, musical and engaging. I had a fair few pre's through, ARC Ref, AN and the like, none of which encouraged me to part with the Aesthetix though a couple of a pre's way out of my price range offered real improvement, Robert Koda K10 being the pinnacle.

A Dartzeel integrated made a brief appearance, it did sound good, a step up from what I was running but a big uptick in $$$ for what I felt modest gains

I add all that for context

A few months ago I added an Analog Domain M75D integrated. Blown away, streets ahead of any other combination I've heard in my system previously, can't quite believe the difference it's made. It has taken the Kharma to a place I didn't think they were capable. The audio buddy most familiar with my system summed it up after he'd heard it for the first time, 'astonishing'.

If available where you are it's well worth investigating.

I read a comment elsewhere by an individual who'd had the M75D & P in his system that there was something of the Boulder sound about them, another avenue that may be worth exploring

Enjoy optimising your Kharma's
Click to expand...

defride,

Nice to hear perspectives of a fellow Kharma owner.

I liked the VAC with them but I felt that the solid state amp is one I preferred a bit more.

I am looking at used CH Precision A1, Gryphon Essence or the Soulution 511. I won’t discount the VAC as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bob82 said:
defride,

Nice to hear perspectives of a fellow Kharma owner.

I liked the VAC with them but I felt that the solid state amp is one I preferred a bit more.

I am looking at used CH Precision A1, Gryphon Essence or the Soulution 511. I won’t discount the VAC as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Interesting choices, all top draw by reputation. Of them the only one I've more than passing experience of is the Soulution. The 511 can sound sublime but it's a fickle beast, it's the most critical of set up electronics that I've encountered.
 
defride said:
Interesting choices, all top draw by reputation. Of them the only one I've more than passing experience of is the Soulution. The 511 can sound sublime but it's a fickle beast, it's the most critical of set up electronics that I've encountered.
Click to expand...

The guy who owns the Soulution 511 actually drove the amp with the very preamp that I own and agreed it sounded very different in a good way to his 520 preamp. Of the 3, the 511 is the most cost effective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bob82 said:
The guy who owns the Soulution 511 actually drove the amp with the very preamp that I own and agreed it sounded very different in a good way to his 520 preamp. Of the 3, the 511 is the most cost effective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Sounds like it could be a good match, not heard Soulution with Kharma. Will be interested to hear how you get on should you try the combo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top