Power Amps with High Current or High Damping

Krell_man, Hi Chuck the DNA-500 over the 250 would be the way to go for your friend.

I read some where that you changed from your Karan Integrated to a Burmester 036 Power Amp.

What differences did you find between the two.

You being a Karan owner, what are your over all thoughts regarding this product line as a whole. I'm looking at the 1200 mono blocks but the Burmester 911 MK3's and 909's are on my radar also which I would get two and run in monoblock config., speakers are MBL 101E's.

Krell_man, thanks for the info. I have already been in contact with Gary, great guy and I look forward to hearing the Karan gear in my set-up. Not knowing anything about the gear it's self it's always nice to get feedback from others like your self, it be good or bad. I didn't contact Tonypdp1 out of courtesy due to the fact that some don't like being contacted asking question specially when they are trying sell their gear off and it is apparent that he has now been trying for some time to do so including his MBL's. I would want to hear the Burmester in my system prior to purchasing along with purchasing them in away that I would have a warranty due to the fact of the cost factor, 2 amps big $$$ layout. Do you know Tony.

I have not actually seen the Burmester product in person but the pics I have seen the product sure looks like eye candy which is always a bonus.

I see you got rid of your AA gear and went with Wadia, was there a reason why you didn't move up the AA line. My current AA is the Hybrid Tube Dac which is a great pce paired up with the latest Oracle 2000 trans. via Stealth AES digital connection.

Krell_man, curious was there a reason you didn't try any other amps in the Karan line such as the stereo amp, KAS 270 Dual Mono stereo pce that has a damping factor of 6000 and 270 watts of power @ 8 ohms. There is another member "Cenline" who is also using the Wadia but with the Karan amp above and seems to be very happy.

Thanks for the info. I have never tried Wadia, will have to try as a friend just got the same pce you have recently but I have not made it over to his place as of yet.

Who is the man and partner you made reference to that you have great respect for?

Interesting regarding Brian's comments to you but I would have to disagree with him suggesting the Tube Dac improvement wasn't worth the added cost over the MK4, I feel it most defiantly is.

Brian doesn't sell "AA" product anymore correct?

That being said I would agree with you that the cost once you add up things is up there and if the Wadia is that good then it would most defiantly be a no brain-er.

Interesting info.

Hi Krell_man, this is a bit off the amp topic but I wanted to respond to your thread regarding the Wadia 581 SE vs "Accustic Arts" mainly because I was all excited after reading your thread.

So I contacted my friend and made a trip over to his place last nite for a listen.

He uses a pre now but originally had the Wadia connected direct to the amps as you currently do. He has Bryston 7 SST's mono's and Thiel 3.7's, he uses Elrod power cables.

1. My observation without getting into detail was the same as his, you really need a pre with this unit and that is why in the end he got one. The sound just does not compare without one.

2. I borrowed the unit, I hooked it up direct in my system. I then hooked it up with my pre. which in my opinion was much better but sorry it still does not compare to my current set-up, not even close.

I was all excited about this but in the end there was nothing I liked better period, if I had I would have commented. I fully understand your comments and reference made to the "AA" dac and transport you had, I fully understand the price difference with my current set-up also but honestly only one listen and the comparison conveys money well spent on my part.

My friend is actually going to be getting a 781 latest version to compare so he will let me know if it's worth the drive. My friend also heard my set-up during the comparison and mirrored my conclusions but of course it's allot more $$$$$$$$$.

He asked me to ask you if you can hear your unit running, I could hear his and during quiet passes this distracted me. I was told his first unit was much louder and took it back do to this for an exchange. I hear absolutely nothing with mine even with my ear right up close.

I currently have an Esoteric P01 unit with clock on loan but is just in the process of being broken-in, big! big! dollars and this thing is really noisy compared to mine, I had to put it in anther room as it was distracting me from my listening, what the heck is going on these should be silent.

Hi Rob,

thanks for that info. I still have the unit, it was plugged in at 8pm. I did do some initial listening but it was really scary unlistenable and did not mention that. My friend mentioned the unit needed some time, he came by the next day arround 6 pm. for a listen and this is the time frame of our evaluation, so aprox. 22 hours at that time. I'm not trying to suggest that the unit is not good but it just does not compare to my current set-up and the sound comparison of it being on it's own compared to being in the chain with a pre, well the later being by far my preference. I'm not being biased either because I would be the first to admit and would be looking at making changes, even if it was close I would but it's not. The unit is currently still in my system, luckily for me my friend has left it with me as he has gone away until next week. I had the unit playing all day, just back ground music but it's just not in the same league.

This Esoteric is the VU version with 8N copper wire set with clock and yes it's a real statement! never mind the suggest list!!!!!!!!!! Where the heck do I put all these pces. I have to say my expectations will be very high once I do my listening mainly do to the cost factor. I had a Metronome Kalista Ref Transport only in my system but prior to having the Tube dac, what a pce of eye candy. I did prefer it slightly over my Oracle trans but not by much, the deal breaker was that it would not play cds that I have never had issues with in the past nor currently which I factored in along with the list of over $50K compared to $7,500.00.

Have you got your pces back as of yet? waiting to read your thoughts regarding the Karan 1200's.