Karan amp experiences wanted

I used one for about 18 months. It is certainly built beautifully, with a neatly layed out circuit board. Ultimately, I found it a bit unenvolving. This maybe because I was using it for a summer backup to my SET amp, when I could'nt stand the heat generated.

The Karan is neutral, uncoloured, but a bit lacking in dynamics. Perhaps this is unfair, as I am pretty much sold on the magic of tubes. The 22 SET watts I use, seemed to give a better grip on my 89db speakers, than the 180watts of the Karan. I prefered the Lavardin IT I used before the Karan, but the Lavardins, of course, would not be powerful enough for the Watts.
If I was to go for a SS integrated again, it would be Accuphase. Again I am not sure if they have an integrated, powerful enough td justice to the Watts.

I had a Karan KA I180 for two years. I switched to a Burmester 036 power amp and like it better than the Karan. I bought the Burmester from a fellow Audiogoner who sold it because he liked his Accuphase better. I've never heard tha Accuphase, but he choose it as well as David12 recommending it. I'd think that you might want to check one out, as well as a Burmester that I highly recommend.

As far as the Karan goes though, I've heard a few times that the KA S180 and KA I180 do not have the typical Karan sound that all of the bigger amps have. So I wouldn't exclude auditioning one of the bigger Karans at some point if you can afford one.

I haven't had the oportunity to hear the Karan's amp but I'm in the same boat, Burmester is my first option to pair my Cremonas M basicly I am between the 036 and 956 MK2 model but go for the Karan KA S 180 would be a blind purchase even do is a risk I wouldn't mind to take.

Gferrari,

I've heard both the 036 and 956 Mk2. I didn't heard a 'different' sound between the two. I bought the 036 because I didn't have the money for the 956 Mk2. If I had, I would have gone with the 956 Mk2. Why, because of the power and the headroom.

I would bypass the Karan KA S180, the same as I suggested to Richard_Stacy, and audition the KA S270 if I had the money to buy one if I liked it.

When you're dealing with this kind of money, personal auditions, and especially in home auditions are a must, and dealers ought to understand that.

Thanks for the input so far. These are all difficult amps to get a handle on as auditions are near impossible in Ohio. I have not listened to Burmester or Accuphase (which all I have seen are pretty low powered). I am also unable to afford the larger Karan ass Krellman suggested as my interest in the 180. It is always interesting to hear these experiences with some of the more unique products to my area.