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Power Amps for Kharma

I currently have the following set up: Meinter CDSD transport & DCC2, Linn Klimaxx mono blocks, Kharma 2.3F speakers, Kharma interconnects, Shunyata power cords & Hyda 8.

Though I do actually like the Klimaxx vs most solid state amps I've heard. big Krells, Spectrum, Pass Labs, Hovland Radia etc, I am sure there are others that may be worth experimenting with.

But perhaps more importantly, I've never owned or exposed extensively to tubes. Plus what is generally described as tube sound sounds appealing to me: more air, transparency, a bit of inner warm glow (without being excessively colored hopefully) in the mid range.

Having said that given the Kharmas do not extend to the lowest registers of bass, an amp that can help on this, though not resolve as it is impossible, would help too. Or perhaps I shld investigate Kharma's new sub.

So any recommendations? From the media and Audiogon I gather Lamms would be a good match. But would like to investigate more. Also rated power with tubes is so confusing for me, SETs vs push pull...what is needed? Any help would be most appreciated.
henryhk

Showing 1 response by rgs92

rgs92
974 posts
 
I use an Edge NL12 for my Kharma 3.2FEs. It is very smooth & the bass is superb, deep & extremely controlled--you would never know there was no woofer, but it never pounds you or sounds aggressive. It seems, more or less, as deep as my former Wilson W/P 6s.
Mids & highs, to my ears, are as involving, relaxed, liquid & well-defined as Lamm tube amps with the 3.2s. I also have the EMM gear & a Hydra8 & Anacondas. The only weakness is an occaisional hyper-detailed nasality on vocals on a few popular/rock CDs, but I also heard this with the 3.2s driven by tube amps (metal tweeters, you know). All instruments & all classical is stunning, in terms of tonality & focus & spatial-identity. Transparency is unreal, the best I have ever heard.
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