Mike's system

**Mike** · August 8, 2021, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Paul

Beautiful. British world in your room

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The Harbeth’s are your fault! Ha!

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**Mike** · August 8, 2021, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by Audio 1

Mike the Naim racks are looking really nice!

Thanks. They are a little tricky to work with (glass shelf on ball), but just be careful and they work and look great.

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**a.wayne** · August 8, 2021, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks. I brought home the 866 Boulder to get some hours on the 40.3’s. But I’m still waiting on the NAP500DR and PSU and 555 streamer and PSU and the large shelf for the 500. Could be another month or two? Nobody knows in these Covid crazy times.

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That was a huge stack of boxes , amazing not everything ..!

**Mike** · August 9, 2021, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

That was a huge stack of boxes , amazing not everything ..!

The boxes were just racks. Gear and NAIM cables are still trickling in.

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**pdub** · August 9, 2021, 01:19 PM

What about the Grandiso player you were so happy with recently?

**Mike** · August 9, 2021, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by pdub

What about the Grandiso player you were so happy with recently?

In the store now. Won’t fit on the NAIM shelves. It’s really a superb combo. Was outstanding with the MBL’s.

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**Mike** · September 1, 2021, 04:25 PM

Been enjoying living with the Harbeth 40.3 XD’s. I had ISOAcoustic GAIA II footers on the stands and ISOAcoustic OREA Bordeaux between the top of the stand and the bottom of the speaker.

Waiting on the rest of the NAIM 500 system, so I was at first using the Boulder 866 and then switched to the 1110/1161. Aurender N20 + MBL Noble DAC/CD. This is just temporary until the rest of the NAIM system arrives.

In my room, I felt the 40’s needed subs, so I swapped the 866 for the 1110/1161 so I could get an XLR output to feed the subs. I also thought the 40’s needed at least 200 watts per channel. They sounded great in my room. The mids were terrific. So natural. BUT…..

…..it’s time for a change…..

**nc42acc** · September 1, 2021, 04:57 PM

Mike what is the allure of the Naim equipment?

**Mike** · September 1, 2021, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Mike what is the allure of the Naim equipment?

It makes my toes tap.

But seriously, PRAT, superb musicality, dynamics, tight bass, big deep wide soundstage. Oh, and it’s a tweaker’s dream! After frustrations learning the tweakiness of NAIM, I have come to love what it can sound like when done right.

**Spock** · September 1, 2021, 05:08 PM

[QUOTE=Mike;335633]
…..it’s time for a change…..

Ah!
Now i like!
Aesthetics matters too.

Beautiful again!

**nc42acc** · September 1, 2021, 05:29 PM

If you can sit down and listen to a complete album you have hit a milestone in audio. Right up there with your system being able to make your toes tap. Congratulations Mike on the Kharma swap. I have never been inspired by the Harbeth speakers.

Originally Posted by Mike

It makes my toes tap.

But seriously, PRAT, superb musicality, dynamics, tight bass, big deep wide soundstage. Oh, and it’s a tweaker’s dream! After frustrations learning the tweakiness of NAIM, I have come to love what it can sound like when done right.

**KeithR** · September 1, 2021, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

It makes my toes tap.

But seriously, PRAT, superb musicality, dynamics, tight bass, big deep wide soundstage. Oh, and it’s a tweaker’s dream! After frustrations learning the tweakiness of NAIM, I have come to love what it can sound like when done right.

but that's midfi stuff, too

Kharmas look great!

**nc42acc** · September 1, 2021, 05:54 PM

Guess the best is not always the best. Ironic he is removing the Boulder separates.

Originally Posted by KeithR

but that's midfi stuff, too

Kharmas look great!

**Mike** · September 1, 2021, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

but that's midfi stuff, too

Kharmas look great!

I like it! NAIM is tier 3 and midfi? Fine by me!

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**Mike** · September 1, 2021, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by nc42acc

Guess the best is not always the best. Ironic he is removing the Boulder separates.

Boulder belongs to the store for demo. The NAIM stuff I bought for myself.

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**a.wayne** · September 1, 2021, 05:58 PM

Hahaha , i hope you got a deal on them, audio dealers can be a PITA ...

**nc42acc** · September 1, 2021, 06:07 PM

Especially those in southern Florida.

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Hahaha , i hope you got a deal on them, audio dealers can be a PITA ...

**Ritmo** · September 1, 2021, 06:27 PM

It’s great to have those musical toys Mike! As much as I like the Harbeth 40s, the Kharma 9s are sooo good! Enjoy!

**asindc** · September 1, 2021, 06:32 PM

Every time I’ve heard a Naim component I have the same general impressions, plenty of PRAT.

Interesting placement of the turntables.

**Mike** · September 1, 2021, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Hahaha , i hope you got a deal on them, audio dealers can be a PITA ...

Mine is one of the good guys.

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**Mike** · September 1, 2021, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by asindc

Every time I’ve heard a Naim component I have the same general impressions, plenty of PRAT.

Interesting placement of the turntables.

It’s my new Zen setup,

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**pdub** · September 2, 2021, 11:58 AM

That photo montage was like the forum version of one of those Home Renovation shows ...

Next up: Kharma Exquisite Midi Grand 3.0 Loudspeakers | Hifi Pig -- Heck, I'm impressed by the jumpers ...
Parker

**Mike** · September 2, 2021, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by pdub

That photo montage was like the forum version of one of those Home Renovation shows ...

Next up: Kharma Exquisite Midi Grand 3.0 Loudspeakers | Hifi Pig -- Heck, I'm impressed by the jumpers ...
Parker

They are fabulous!

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**Mordante** · September 3, 2021, 10:23 AM

Has Karma improved their sound so much? The few times I heard them 5 to 10 years ago. I was always a bit embarrassed I heard they have Dutch roots. Not sure if they are still being sold in the Netherlands.

**Mike** · September 3, 2021, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Mordante

Has Karma improved their sound so much? The few times I heard them 5 to 10 years ago. I was always a bit embarrassed I heard they have Dutch roots. Not sure if they are still being sold in the Netherlands.

They sound amazing and they don’t use psychoacoustic bullshit like your speakers and of course they are sold in the Netherlands.

“It did not take long before I realized that the effects I was hearing were totally artificial.

So far out in an alternate sonic reality that it took me two rooms before I could fully adjust to more natural sound. I am not exaggerating.”

Jason's Discoveries at AXPONA's End | Stereophile.com

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**a.wayne** · September 3, 2021, 12:10 PM

Haha , left hook there Mikey !

**Mike** · September 3, 2021, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Haha , left hook there Mikey !

He’s notorious for spreading his bullshit. Shits on everything. Gave him a taste of his own medicine. His speakers use psychoacoustic bullshit that can be spotted a mile away by a trained ear.

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**The Sandman** · September 3, 2021, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Haha , left hook there Mikey !

Seems an appropriate analogy - the delicate art of high fidelity has evolved into the manly art of audiophilia - a contact sport.

**Bart001** · September 3, 2021, 05:43 PM

"How has Michael Børresen, Raidho’s world-class speaker-designer, managed a magic trick this astounding? The answer is by putting psychoacoustics ahead of acoustics—by making the way we actually hear music in real venues his prime engineering goal. Børresen’s formula is simple and logical: Since our ears are most sensitive in the 1–7kHz range and least sensitive in the 20Hz– 100Hz region, Børresen deliberately reduces energy in the presence and brilliance ranges and boosts it in the mid-to-upper bass, voicing his speakers to sound flat to the ear rather than to measure flat to a microphone."

Raidho Acoustics D-5 Loudspeaker - The Absolute Sound

**TheOctopus** · September 3, 2021, 06:38 PM

Where do hearing aids rank in psychoacoustics vs acoustics? I know some audiophiles that wear hearing aids and are buying very expensive audio systems. Nothing like the sound of a hearing aid translating the expensive sound of an audio system that only the neighbor can hear in true fidelity?

**bzr** · September 4, 2021, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by Mordante

Has Karma improved their sound so much? The few times I heard them 5 to 10 years ago. I was always a bit embarrassed I heard they have Dutch roots. Not sure if they are still being sold in the Netherlands.

That's a petty trivial shitty comment from someone that should know better.

**bzr** · September 5, 2021, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by TheOctopus

Where do hearing aids rank in psychoacoustics vs acoustics? I know some audiophiles that wear hearing aids and are buying very expensive audio systems. Nothing like the sound of a hearing aid translating the expensive sound of an audio system that only the neighbor can hear in true fidelity?

Maybe they could hear better than you in the first place. That's as random as me accusing you of being an ice addicted ranga. How's that working for ya?

**mep** · September 5, 2021, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by bzr

Maybe they could hear better than you in the first place. That's as random as me accusing you of being an ice addicted ranga. How's that working for ya?

I'm trying to figure out why hearing aids were brought up in a thread about Mike's system.

**TheOctopus** · September 5, 2021, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by bzr

Maybe they could hear better than you in the first place. That's as random as me accusing you of being an ice addicted ranga. How's that working for ya?

**Mike** · September 5, 2021, 10:36 AM

Update on the Kharma’s. My room has definitely provided some challenges for a couple of speakers out there, but the Kharma’s are champs. They are easily one of the best speakers I’ve ever had in my room and I could argue tied with the Avantgarde’s for “the best” in my room. I feel my room had too much absorption for the MBL’s and I had planned to take it all down this summer prior to getting the call from MBL asking me to sell them to a lady who didn’t want to wait.

Prior to bringing home the Kharma’s, I was worried maybe the bass would be too much or there would be some other issue, but nope, I can safely use the “P” word….Perfect. The only thing I want to try now is either the DB11-S or MIDI Exquisite.

The Harbeth’s are renown for their midrange, but I have to say, these are as good. The top end of the Kharma’s gives you all the detail, but it never crosses that line…ever.

The dynamics are outstanding. It’s really hard to believe the dynamics these produce. I’m not going to say horn like dynamics, but damn….close.

I’m currently running the Boulder 1161/1110 with the MBL N31 and Aurender N20 while I wait for a mountain of NAIM 500 gear. Speaker cables are NAIM SuperLumina.

For fun yesterday, I tried the B&W DB1D subs I have in my room. Used a microphone, pink noise, dialed them in and they are barely moving, but I like what they added.

The one other thing I’ve noticed is how the Kharma’s handle bad recordings - think Adele for example. I played Adele and instantly thought this was the best I had heard her music and found myself listening to 21 and 25 all the way through. I also played a 1960’s recording - Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters to see how they handled that piano crescendo at around the 2:50 mark in the song. They kept everything so composed and controlled and never crossed the line into sounding shrill. Brilliant.

**Bart001** · September 5, 2021, 11:08 AM

I look forward to hearing how they match up to the Naim 500 system Mike. I'm never quite sure where on the spectrum of 'high current' or 'high load handling' the NAP 500 lands. Not because it's not a big chunk of amp but because Naim's topology is just a little different (I think).

And I don't know where in the load spectrum your Kharmas lie vs. say Magico A3/5.

**rrwmd** · September 5, 2021, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

The one other thing I’ve noticed is how the Kharma’s handle bad recordings

This! I am enjoying listening to recordings on the Kharmas that were almost painful to listen to with other speakers.

**TheOctopus** · September 5, 2021, 12:56 PM

So then we can agree that Kharma are pleasantly colored speakers?

**Mike** · September 5, 2021, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by TheOctopus

So then we can agree that Kharma are pleasantly colored speakers?

Not at all. The cabinet construction is excellent, so no coloration there unlike some speakers. Details on the cabinet construction is here:

Cabinets - Kharma

I think if you take some time and read about the Kharma Particle (no, they aren’t being coy with some marketing term), you’ll get a glimpse as to why owners are saying what they say.

Check out The Absolute Sound for the founders definition of what he calls The Kharma Particle.

Kharma Exquisite-Midi Loudspeaker - The Absolute Sound

**TheOctopus** · September 5, 2021, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Not at all. The cabinet construction is excellent, so no coloration there unlike some speakers. Details on the cabinet construction is here:

Cabinets - Kharma

I think if you take some time and read about the Kharma Particle (no, they aren’t being coy with some marketing term), you’ll get a glimpse as to why owners are saying what they say.

Check out The Absolute Sound for the founders definition of what he calls The Kharma Particle.

Kharma Exquisite-Midi Loudspeaker - The Absolute Sound

Mike, I get that you like the speaker. I did not say anything bad about it.

Karma speaker is able to be neutral through careful cabinet design, construction, materials, optimal driver selection and fine tuned with state of the art crossover. It remains neutral but recognizes bad recordings and adjusts its neutrality bias for a more euphonic response.

They have not encoded the music for the speaker chip yet. I’m sure Bob Stuart has probably thought of it already. Good recordings this way through the crossover filter, the bad recordings please step this way through the proprietary DSP filter that Bob will charge manufacturers for…

One can’t have their cake and eat it too. I’m ok with technicolor by the way. I quite enjoy music that has meat on the bones and has a response that draws me in instead of making me tense expecting assault on the ears with every bad note. So if Kharma is able to achieve a level of musicality that pleases instead of offends, it’s my kind of speaker.

**TheOctopus** · September 5, 2021, 01:52 PM

What this world needs is less self proclaimed expert fact checkers and less neutral speakers. Life is too short to be playing recording engineer at home. I want to click play on Roon and be whisked away in all the glory of jazz. I could care less how accurate of a simile the music is to that moment some 50-60 years ago, as long as the saxophone takes my mind away from all else in the world. Yes, the world needs more of that

**a.wayne** · September 5, 2021, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Bart001

"How has Michael Børresen, Raidho’s world-class speaker-designer, managed a magic trick this astounding? The answer is by putting psychoacoustics ahead of acoustics—by making the way we actually hear music in real venues his prime engineering goal. Børresen’s formula is simple and logical: Since our ears are most sensitive in the 1–7kHz range and least sensitive in the 20Hz– 100Hz region, Børresen deliberately reduces energy in the presence and brilliance ranges and boosts it in the mid-to-upper bass, voicing his speakers to sound flat to the ear rather than to measure flat to a microphone."

Raidho Acoustics D-5 Loudspeaker - The Absolute Sound

This is a known , Known, It’s been used for decades and during the serious audio days of EQ it was known simply as the smiley face setting , more scientific circles known as the FM curve ..

Regards

**a.wayne** · September 5, 2021, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by bzr

Maybe they could hear better than you in the first place. That's as random as me accusing you of being an ice addicted ranga. How's that working for ya?

Not better , but longer auditory recall for sure

**a.wayne** · September 5, 2021, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Update on the Kharma’s. My room has definitely provided some challenges for a couple of speakers out there, but the Kharma’s are champs. They are easily one of the best speakers I’ve ever had in my room and I could argue tied with the Avantgarde’s for “the best” in my room. I feel my room had too much absorption for the MBL’s and I had planned to take it all down this summer prior to getting the call from MBL asking me to sell them to a lady who didn’t want to wait.

Prior to bringing home the Kharma’s, I was worried maybe the bass would be too much or there would be some other issue, but nope, I can safely use the “P” word….Perfect. The only thing I want to try now is either the DB11-S or MIDI Exquisite.

The Harbeth’s are renown for their midrange, but I have to say, these are as good. The top end of the Kharma’s gives you all the detail, but it never crosses that line…ever.

The dynamics are outstanding. It’s really hard to believe the dynamics these produce. I’m not going to say horn like dynamics, but damn….close.

I’m currently running the Boulder 1161/1110 with the MBL N31 and Aurender N20 while I wait for a mountain of NAIM 500 gear. Speaker cables are NAIM SuperLumina.

For fun yesterday, I tried the B&W DB1D subs I have in my room. Used a microphone, pink noise, dialed them in and they are barely moving, but I like what they added.

The one other thing I’ve noticed is how the Kharma’s handle bad recordings - think Adele for example. I played Adele and instantly thought this was the best I had heard her music and found myself listening to 21 and 25 all the way through. I also played a 1960’s recording - Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters to see how they handled that piano crescendo at around the 2:50 mark in the song. They kept everything so composed and controlled and never crossed the line into sounding shrill. Brilliant.

I had wondered but never asked how the MBL’s fared in your room knowing how treated , glad you covered the topic ..

**a.wayne** · September 5, 2021, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by TheOctopus

So then we can agree that Kharma are pleasantly colored speakers?

Hahaha , Says the Class B , McIntosh guy ...

**a.wayne** · September 5, 2021, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by TheOctopus

Mike, I get that you like the speaker. I did not say anything bad about it.

Karma speaker is able to be neutral through careful cabinet design, construction, materials, optimal driver selection and fine tuned with state of the art crossover. It remains neutral but recognizes bad recordings and adjusts its neutrality bias for a more euphonic response.

They have not encoded the music for the speaker chip yet. I’m sure Bob Stuart has probably thought of it already. Good recordings this way through the crossover filter, the bad recordings please step this way through the proprietary DSP filter that Bob will charge manufacturers for…

One can’t have their cake and eat it too. I’m ok with technicolor by the way. I quite enjoy music that has meat on the bones and has a response that draws me in instead of making me tense expecting assault on the ears with every bad note. So if Kharma is able to achieve a level of musicality that pleases instead of offends, it’s my kind of speaker.

No Dr Neophyte ,

It’s able to let you hear once thought bad recordings in a more neutral light , without the added coloration and distortions these type of recording are rendered with more clarity and are thus less Objectionable...

Regards ...

**bzr** · September 10, 2021, 04:48 AM

Originally Posted by TheOctopus

Absolutely gobsmacked you actually translated the meaning of my post. Well done!! Take a anything from the bottom row.

**Bobvin** · September 11, 2021, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

… I also played a 1960’s recording - Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Waters to see how they handled that piano crescendo at around the 2:50 mark in the song. They kept everything so composed and controlled and never crossed the line into sounding shrill. Brilliant.

Mike, is this a reference track for you? I appreciate you calling out the specific part of the song you listen for. Can you share other examples?

(I bought a sealed copy of “Bridge over troubled waters”, sadly it sounded like crap.)

**Mike Lavigne** · September 11, 2021, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

Mike, is this a reference track for you? I appreciate you calling out the specific part of the song you listen for. Can you share other examples?

(I bought a sealed copy of “Bridge over troubled waters”, sadly it sounded like crap.)

here is the one you want, the 4 disc 45rpm Classic pressing. really fine sounding. "The Boxer" is revelatory. owned it since 1999. i started College in 69'-70', this was a fav of mine then and since, and so i had a very strong impression of how this should and might sound. the Classic 4-disc blew my mind. i finally heard how it should sound.

Simon And Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water (1999, 180 Gram, Vinyl) - Discogs

i'll have to drag it out again and listen for that piano crescendo. can't recall how 'clean' it is off the top of my head.

**Mike** · September 11, 2021, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bobvin

Mike, is this a reference track for you? I appreciate you calling out the specific part of the song you listen for. Can you share other examples?

(I bought a sealed copy of “Bridge over troubled waters”, sadly it sounded like crap.)

I was playing this QoBuz version:

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