Amplifier for Kharma dB11

**Opm** · December 13, 2021, 05:00 AM

I just bought a Kharma db11 and I am very happy. The team that I have associated with is a dCS Bartok, AR Ref6 and AR Ref150SE.

I really like the way it sounds with AR, the amp has no problem handling the Kharma as they are speakers with a flat 6 ohm impedance so not a challenge for a tube amp. The dynamics are incredible and everything sounds very big and well placed, the depth is incredible as well as the palpability of the instruments. These attributes are what amaze me about this wonderful AR amp.

I have also noticed that Ref6 does not bring anything to the table and I prefer the direct Bartok.

That being said, I would like a slightly warmer and denser sound as I think the Kharma would appreciate it.

I had previously owned a Pass XA30.8, not with the Kharma, and it was a lovely, warm, dense, very smooth amp with the best midrange I've ever heard. But it had as many virtues as it did flaws. I know it's the smallest amp in the XA series, but it had no oomph, the ends were forgotten, and it was a bit dark and fuzzy.
With this amp I found that I liked what the pure Class A did.

Now that I have the Kharma, I would like to try a pure Class A amp but with power, control and oomph but dense, rich and slightly warm.

With all these attributes that I am looking for and from what I have read, I think the obvious choice, or one of them, would be Gryphon although I have never heard of it.

The simple option would be the Diablo 300 but it is not class A, so the two remaining options are Essence or Antileon EVO.

I would appreciate the input of people who have Kharma or those who have Gryphon.

**u-sound** · December 13, 2021, 08:23 AM

viva espagna,
i d look for the audionet humboldt.

there is a demo unit for 24k euros plus vat
AudioNET Humboldt - ex demo - special export price (1470412237) | Ausstellungsstuck | Vollverstarker | Angebot auf audio-markt.de

**Mike** · December 13, 2021, 10:25 AM

Congrats on wonderful speakers. I heard those at Rance’s place and was blown away. I immediately ordered a pair, but we won’t see them for a few more weeks.

The Pass INT-250 might fit the bill perfectly. It has enough class A sound to give you the characteristics you want and it’s got plenty of power.

We are about to experiment with the AudiaFlight stuff, so stay tuned.

Personally, I’m really enjoying the NAIM/Kharma synergy. If you look at NAIM, ignore their power ratings.

In the store, Kharma with Classe Delta monos/Delta Pre has been a popular pairing.

Another fabulous pairing is the Block Audio - it’s probably my favorite or definitely top two with Kharma. But those are monoblocks and a killer preamp.

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**Opm** · December 14, 2021, 07:34 AM

Thanks for replying Mike.

I had previously owned a Naim Supernait 3 and it was warm and very punchy but lacked refinement. I guess the higher series will have more refinement. Naim's problem is that you have to enter its wiring ecosystem and leave the amplifiers on 24 hours a day for optimal performance.

Have you ever tried Kharma with Gryphon?

**Mike** · December 14, 2021, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Opm

Thanks for replying Mike.

I had previously owned a Naim Supernait 3 and it was warm and very punchy but lacked refinement. I guess the higher series will have more refinement. Naim's problem is that you have to enter its wiring ecosystem and leave the amplifiers on 24 hours a day for optimal performance.

Have you ever tried Kharma with Gryphon?

The higher NAIM has the refinement, but like you said, their cabling is unique.

I would encourage you to look into Block Audio.

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**divertiti** · December 21, 2021, 01:20 AM

I heard the Kharma Equisite Midi with the Conrad Johnson Gat 2 Pre and Art 300 monos at Capital Audio Fest, and it was one of the best systems I've ever heard. I would take that over the $1M VAC + Von S system.

**Alrainbow** · January 2, 2022, 04:15 PM

Very true post that room on analog to me best of show
Only on digital did the vac room excel above the kharma I never got to hear digital in the kharma room

**RaChiK** · January 2, 2022, 04:31 PM

Mike
Are you Audiaflight dealer now ?. I can vouch for strumento no.4 mk2 and they are world class. Eager to hear your thoughts on audiaflight with kharma. At some point I want to change speakers to Marten or kharma or vivid G1 or Goebel. Please post the results of audiaflight and if possible video too.

**Mike** · January 2, 2022, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by RaChiK

Mike
Are you Audiaflight dealer now ?. I can vouch for strumento no.4 mk2 and they are world class. Eager to hear your thoughts on audiaflight with kharma. At some point I want to change speakers to Marten or kharma or vivid G1 or Goebel. Please post the results of audiaflight and if possible video too.

Not yet. The distributor has been after us so we are set to give the two integrates a listen in a week or two. The Strumento 4 is a terrific amp.

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**GSOphile** · January 2, 2022, 07:25 PM

So Mike, no mention of Boulder, like maybe the 1161, do these lack synergy with Kharma?

**Mike** · January 2, 2022, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by GSOphile

So Mike, no mention of Boulder, like maybe the 1161, do these lack synergy with Kharma?

Oh, not at all. The Boulder sounds terrific. Hopefully Craig will chime in. Kharma’s really aren’t fussy with amps. I love them with VAC, Boulder, Block, NAIM, Classe, Luxman, etc.

Unlike some speakers, the Kharma’s are quite amp friendly.

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**crwilli** · January 2, 2022, 11:29 PM

The Boulder 1161 drives the DB11-s to fabulous levels. It never ran out of steam during 5 or so hours of listening. It helped me make a purchase decision.

**nc42acc** · January 3, 2022, 08:45 AM

When is the big reveal?

Originally Posted by crwilli

The Boulder 1161 drives the DB11-s to fabulous levels. It never ran out of steam during 5 or so hours of listening. It helped me make a purchase decision.

**crwilli** · January 3, 2022, 09:36 AM

You mean for the Shunyata Alpha NR v2 I bought? 😀

**MDP** · January 3, 2022, 11:11 AM

Mike doesn't carry it anymore, because of their stupid business decision to not have an American distributor, but Gryphon sounds insane with Kharmas.

The Diablo powers them beautifully.

**a.wayne** · January 3, 2022, 09:56 PM

Wait , Mike doesn't carry Gryphon anymore ..?

**Mike** · January 3, 2022, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Wait , Mike doesn't carry Gryphon anymore ..?

Nope. The dummies fired their distributor. The distributor who busted their ass to put them on the map here. Replaced with Lurch. A washed up useless tool. Flemming would never have supported this move. Call it pure and simple: GREED.

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**HifiHandyman** · January 4, 2022, 10:36 AM

Dang, I’ve never heard of Audiaflight, but looking at their site, they look very nice. I sure appreciate a brand willing to show their internal construction since, after all it’s the parts flowing the electrons and not the box that makes the sound! I would love to hear the Strumento no 1 preamp.

**Opm** · January 4, 2022, 03:05 PM

Hello, thanks for answering.

I don't know why I am not receiving response notifications.

Could you comment in detail how does the Deiablo sound? Does it respond to thick, slightly warm sound with oomph and without sounding bright?

**Opm** · January 4, 2022, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by MDP

Mike doesn't carry it anymore, because of their stupid business decision to not have an American distributor, but Gryphon sounds insane with Kharmas.

The Diablo powers them beautifully.

Hello, thanks for answering.

I don't know why I am not receiving response notifications.

Could you comment in detail how does the Diablo sound? Does it respond to thick, slightly warm sound with oomph and without sounding bright?

Regards

**RaChiK** · January 19, 2022, 11:20 PM

Mike,
I think it is time for you to tell your experience with the audia flight. Its been a while

**Mike** · January 19, 2022, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by RaChiK

Mike,
I think it is time for you to tell your experience with the audia flight. Its been a while

It’s VERY smooth. My employee thinks it’s too soft, as he likes more bite and splash. I love it. I played some nasty recordings and it was not harsh at all. Maybe one of the smoothest sounding amps. Almost SET like. My employee thinks it’s “too soft, too rolled off”, I don’t agree.

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**crwilli** · January 19, 2022, 11:44 PM

I look forward to hearing how Bricasti M28 monos drive the Aubergine DB11-S…. I find them very neutral with plenty of oomph for my Strads.

**RaChiK** · January 19, 2022, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

It’s VERY smooth. My employee thinks it’s too soft, as he likes more bite and splash. I love it. I played some nasty recordings and it was not harsh at all. Maybe one of the smoothest sounding amps. Almost SET like. My employee thinks it’s “too soft, too rolled off”, I don’t agree.

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If you like the Audia flight integrated, you will love their power amps, strumentos. Too bad you could not get them to your store.

**Mike** · January 19, 2022, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by RaChiK

If you like the Audia flight integrated, you will love their power amps, strumentos. Too bad you could not get them to your store.

We wanted to start with the integrated amps. I’ve been a fan of AudiaFlight for along time.

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**RaChiK** · January 19, 2022, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

We wanted to start with the integrated amps. I’ve been a fan of AudiaFlight for along time.

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No way connected to industry, but just feel like their amps don't get the attention they deserve. When you do get them, you will see how good they are. These amps are like the back benchers who don't scream for attention, but end up scoring high in the exams.

**Jack** · January 20, 2022, 01:25 AM

I've owned an FL Three S for about three years. Great sounding integrated paired with the Reynaud Abscisse Jubilee speakers. Previously paired with the Verity Otello part time. One of their top end integrated amps would be a great alternative to the Pass Int-250 or the Gryphon Diablo.

**Elberoth** · January 21, 2022, 07:32 AM

Diablo 300 is NOT a warm sounding amp.

The warmest Gryphon is Antileon Evo, which has this dark and solid sound, although it is not the fastest amp around. Mephisto is by far the fastest and most transparent of all Gryphon amps, but not many systems can handle its honesty (it is a double-edged sword). The new Essence falls between the two and is in many ways the best sounding Gryphon.

None of the Audionets I have heard are on the warm side of neutral.

Audio Flight sounds like a solid candidate, although with speaker so easy to drive, I would take advantage of that fact and get a tube amp (just not ARC).

**mep** · January 22, 2022, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Elberoth

Diablo 300 is NOT a warm sounding amp.

The warmest Gryphon is Antileon Evo, which has this dark and solid sound, although it is not the fastest amp around. Mephisto is by far the fastest and most transparent of all Gryphon amps, but not many systems can handle its honesty (it is a double-edged sword). The new Essence falls between the two and is in many ways the best sounding Gryphon.

None of the Audionets I have heard are on the warm side of neutral.

Audio Flight sounds like a solid candidate, although with speaker so easy to drive, I would take advantage of that fact and get a tube amp (just not ARC).

Curious as to your comment about not buying an ARC amp.

**a.wayne** · January 23, 2022, 10:56 AM

Reliability, maybe tops on that requested list ....!

Regards

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