Listening at Suncoast

Ritmo

Ritmo

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Earlier this week, Mark (MDP) was visiting from out of town. We visited Mike at Suncoast to catch up, lunch and, of course a listening session.

After a friendly and good lunch at the Lucky Pelican restaurant in Lakewood Ranch, we went to Mike’s store. We listen to a few systems but the focus was on the Kharma speakers. Mark recently ordered a pair of the DB-9S to replace is much loved Revel Salon 2s.

The system we listened to consisted of the following components:

- Kuzma Stabi R, 4Point, Koetsu Onyx Platinum
- Pass XP-27
- MSB Select II
- Classe Mono Amps
- Kharma DB-9S
- Wireworld Platinum IC
- Shunyata Omega PC

We listened for several hours to a variety of music in both vinyl and digital formats.

Overall, this system sounded very cohesive and musical. The Kharmas are not large speakers (39” or so tall) and yet the have the ability to fill up a large listening room. Instrument definition was quite impressive. Listening to Led Zeppelin II and IV, Bonham’s kick drum sounded very real and well defined along with Jimmy Paige’s guitar playing and Robert Plant’s voice. They rocked!

Alan Parson’s Project (Mob Fidelity) impressed with the huge stage created by the Kharmas. They can play loud and with impact. They can be played at low volume and yet the music is “there”.

In addition to the speakers, the Classe amps really impressed. They played quietly with excellent dynamics and plenty of texture. Showed very good control. At their price point of $20K, they are quite compelling.

A great time by friends enjoying among the finest audio components in the market. I’m sure Mark will add some comments as well.
 
Yes a stop at Mikes is akin to visiting an Audio Disneyworld , fantastic place to stop in even to look around much less listen ..

Heard the Kharma’s on Boulder and Gryphon , while different on both , it was great to listen to regardless of amp, i bet you guys had fun ..!



Regards
 
Mr Peabody said:
Just curious why not Pass monos with the pre?

I suspect the Classe to be not so polite for Rock which could be a benefit..
Click to expand...

Because we can’t keep them in stock.

Pass is running 8+ weeks and the second we get our demos in, someone buys them. We order more, they buy those. A good problem, but we don’t have anything to show because we can’t keep them in stock.

Pass!!!


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Mr Peabody said:
Just curious why not Pass monos with the pre?

I suspect the Classe to be not so polite for Rock which could be a benefit..
Click to expand...

We heard Jazz and Rock. Overall, I found the Classe amps to have slam for rock and nice delicacy for Jazz. Never abrasive or hard sounding. If I was in the market for amps in the $20K range, these would be among my top contenders.
 
Sounds like a really great day ,, and i am sure a visit a Suncoast Audio is kind of nirvana :)
 
Looking forward to my first visit to the Candy Store. Have a feeling it is going to be expensive. Those Kharmas are calling my name...
 
As Mike said, we had a blast at Suncoast Audio.

As some of you know, I ordered a pair of the Kharma DB9 Signature speakers after hearing them at Mike's a few weeks ago. I truly didn't have a chance for a long listening session at the time. This visit we really sat down and listened to them. I was so amazed by the music these speakers deliver. The tweeter is the best I've personally heard from any speaker that I've auditioned. It has crystal clear highs with no smearing or harshness,completely natural with beautiful decay. The midrange is to die for, and the bass is so tight and punchy. I left feeling I made the perfect purchase for what I want in a world class speaker.

The Classe' amps are a must audition for anyone looking for superb sound, and at this price point I think they're very underrated. Mike was telling me that these are now being manufactured in Japan.

With my Gryphon Diablo 300 coming next week I'm going to be very anxious for the arrival of the Kharmas.

For those of you that are a little new to this site, let me tell you that I've known Mike for a long time and you will never find an audio dealer that has more class or integrity than Mike Bovaird.
 
MDP said:
As Mike said, we had a blast at Suncoast Audio.

As some of you know, I ordered a pair of the Kharma DB9 Signature speakers after hearing them at Mike's a few weeks ago. I truly didn't have a chance for a long listening session at the time. This visit we really sat down and listened to them. I was so amazed by the music these speakers deliver. The tweeter is the best I've personally heard from any speaker that I've auditioned. It has crystal clear highs with no smearing or harshness,completely natural with beautiful decay. The midrange is to die for, and the bass is so tight and punchy. I left feeling I made the perfect purchase for what I want in a world class speaker.

The Classe' amps are a must audition for anyone looking for superb sound, and at this price point I think they're very underrated. Mike was telling me that these are now being manufactured in Japan.

With my Gryphon Diablo 300 coming next week I'm going to be very anxious for the arrival of the Kharmas.

For those of you that are a little new to this site, let me tell you that I've known Mike for a long time and you will never find an audio dealer that has more class or integrity than Mike Bovaird.
Click to expand...

Definitely an excellent choice Mark.

I also think they in a way combine the best traits of the Magico and Wison worlds.


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Made the trip to high end home audio "Mecca" (Suncoast Audio) last year. Spent an entire October Saturday there and auditioned 7 different amps. I had about 4 months to finalize choices in components. I had already purchased my superb sounding, Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary speakers. So I got to hear how they sounded with all 7 of the amps I auditioned. Very tough choices to make.

Then it was Christmas Day all over again. I was so excited and impatient. I didn't have anyone to help me lift my 105 lb Pass Labs INT 250 integrated amp up onto it's chest/chin high resting place. Sooooooo (OK, Mike, close your eyes and ears...), I donned a leather jacket and leather gloves so the heat sinks wouldn't dig into me, placed a thick towel on top of the stand that would hold the amp and other components and grunted the amp up there all by myself. Then I just eased the towel out from under each corner of the amp, and, voila!! No scratches, no fuss, no muss. It helps that I'm a gym regular and fairly strong. But if you're not able to lift 105 lbs to about chin height, I strongly urge you to get help in similar situations. I wasn't worried about lifting 105 lbs. I can lift that much all day long. It was lifting the amp and setting it in it's place without scratching the new stand that I was concerned about. Placing the thick towel really did the trick. I also placed furniture skids so I could easily slide the amp after it was placed.

You can check my signature to see what I decided on. I couldn't be happier with my system and Mike B. was wonderful to deal with (so was the other Mike). I hope you all enjoy your systems as much as I do mine.
 
Thanks for the kind words guys!

We are busy making a new Magico M6 owner happy today.

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