Kharma 3.2 Owners, your thoughts...


I currently own a pair of the Kharma 3.2 Enigma Reference Speakers and after playing them for over 600 hours, they still sound etched and non-organic sounding. I also have new Kharma Grand-reference speaker cables with over 300 hours in them.
My amps are Lamm ML2, 2 years old.
Will these babies ever sing?
henry_10023
Hello,
This is a small room which needs special acoustical treatment.
I think that you need a good stand for the source components (especially in this room).
Also, you don't quite mention what source you are using most of the time.
The Rega CD player is not at the level of the amp/speaker
part of the system.
This system is somewhat unbalanced.
Some people prefer the opposite - the highest value goes to the front end.
The pre-amp is always an issue.
In this system I would try a Wadia player (they have a built-in pre-amp) in order to simplify the system (less connections) and put more value on the front end.
Do NOT remove the P-300 from the equation.It is regenerating A/C,and used on source equipment is quite beneficial!
Some,here,ought to try "whole system" regeneration(in balanced mode)which is ear opening.Even with dedicated lines.
The overtly pricey power cords are not nearly as effective as adding something like an Exact Power EP-15a,along with the companian Ultra-Pure unit(optional).
Best.
Hi had Kharma 1.0 with Kharma speaker wire they give you a in your face sound. Upgraded to Magico Mini MK2 my room 13w by 19 3/4 Long Mini 2 just Much Much Better more open more musical Better depth better sounstage!
I've got also Kharma 3.2 FE - you could hear the "ceramic" sound sometimes...
Try Kubala Sosma Emotion wires (RCA & speakers & power) - and take an emmlabs CDSA as CD player with Lamm L2 ref or CAT SL1, or emmlabs CDSD + DCC2 (inclusing analog preamp)
Sound will be far better : Music !

You will have a great sound like Kharma 3.2 could have.

Now you can change for Magico V3 or Mini 2, but you will need a powerfull amp - forget the Lamm, even the ML1.1 - and take BAT 150SE, VTL 450 or CAT JL2 or JL3 amplifier.
Magico will be clearer (if it's your taste...), faster with more impact, without "ceramic" sound. But they are not better, just "different" sounding.
I have heard the "wonderful" 3.2's many times.I heard the 1.0's at EBM's home on many occassions.His problem was that he ran a 300 wpc solid state amp on them,in a rather small(but good) room.They simply overpowered the listener,which is no surprise,but really were quite good.Of course there was more of "that" ceramic sound,driven this way.His new Magico Minis are fabulous,and a much better match for both the amp,and room.Of course he is thrilled with the performance,but the 3.2 is a whole different story.It's just "different"!Think two GORGEOUS girls.Ya gonna complain if you end up with one?
As to "that" ceramic sound...whenever I heard the 3.2's driven by really good tube amplifcation(particularly the LAMM 2.1)they absolutely FLOORED me!!I brought all my reference LP's and some amazing CD's of John Zorn compositions,which were very well mastered on the Tzadic label,to the 3.2 audition,knowing they would be carefully driven by good matching equipment.
I TOTALLY forgot to concentrate on bass/mids/highs/etc!!They simply "flowed".Literally bathing me in the musical envelope!God,I loved THAT sensation.Really different from what I had been used to.
The Magicos are absolutely fabulous speakers,but completely different from the "correct"(to me,as this is only my opinion)way the 3.2's should be driven(with tubes,SET particularly).The Minis are just as valid,driven differently,from my experience.Different listening perspectives come into play,when I hear each.I'm fine with either ,but some folks are "locked" into one camp.Fine with me.
The Minis are powerful dynamically,and mate incredibly well with "really good" powerful SS amps(they DO exist,btw).If driven well,one gets a ton of the typical "audio" cliche impressions,which is a good thing,IMO.
The way the Minis are voiced(I've heard them alot,lately,and love them,as I love the 3.2's,which present the music differently to me)a good SS design gives a very dynamic presentation,and with this new carbon based driver,in the mk-II version,the SS amp crowd is rewarded with a beautiful,almost tube glow.Very nice tonality.I don't feel they are more revealing or open sounding than the 3.2 set-ups I have heard.
When I heard the 3.2's at their best,they were driven by the LAMM 2.1's and though not quite as dynamic as the Minis(not that far off though),they still had that absolutely lovely ambient envelope,along with surprisingly good bass response.I HATE the sub woofer,with the 3.2's btw(totally kills the magic),but that is only my silly opinion again.
GREAT speakers,"both" of them!I cannot possibly imagine the gorgeous sounding 3.2's being too "ceramic" sounding,if you choose matching componentry carefully.
This is where a really good dealer,or better yet,a very helpful audio club,with well intentioned,open minded friends come into play.
Best of luck.