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Karan amp experiences wanted

I am looking for experiences with the Karan KA S180 amplifier. I have found some stuff in old threads and it is enough to have me pretty intrigued. My biggest question is would the power be enough to drive my Watt Puppy 7's. I have been looking to replace my current Krell FPB 600c for a while and just have not found the amp to fill it's space. The larger Karan's are out of my range for now. My room is not large but i do listen loud. I do not believe the KA S 180 is designed for lower impedance like the Watt Puppy but i am not certain. It would be great to hear any of your experiences with this amp and if any have used the two together.
richard_stacy

Showing 4 responses by krell_man

krell_man
827 posts
 
Defride, thanks for your post. When KaranAcoustics posted that the KA I-180 required a good source to sound its best, I knew that was not true.

I had both the Accustic Arts Drive 1/DAC 4 combo and the Wadia 581se when I had my KA I-180, so a quality source was not the issue in my system.

System matching and synergy, like you said, sounds much more plausible.

Chuck
krell_man
827 posts
 
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.
krell_man
827 posts
 
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.
krell_man
827 posts
 
Richard,

Where are you in Ohio? There is a Burmester dealer on the northwest corner of Indianapolis, IN, Ovation Ultimate. They have a complete Burmester Classic line set up that makes you want to just sit there and bask in the music for hours and hours. James is the person to talk to there.

Karan, I believe is at a dealership in Chicago, IL. You'd have to call Darren at Avatar Music to see who and where they are.

I haven't really looked for an Accuphase dealership since I'm more than happy with my Burmester.

Chuck
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