OTL amps

I have Joule Electra OTL monoblocks, and I agree with Glide 3 that the performance is somewhat speaker dependent but on suitable speakers, the performance is stunning. I am unfamiliar with the Kharma speakers, but basically, OTLs work best on speakers with higher and relatively stable input impedance loads (definitely above 4 ohms and preferably in the 8 ohm and above range). As for specifics about the sound? My experience is that the OTLs have an extra special "purity" and "clean-ness" that on well-recorded material really makes one appreciate how beautiful music can be. Can other amps of different but well-executed design do as well? They're so many good ones out there that the answer probably has to be "yes." I've just not heard them, so for now, it's the extraordinary purity of OTLs that makes the difference to me.

Be careful with that combo, the Kharmas are basically a 6 ohm load, which gets to be borderline with an OTL. I have the CE 2.1s on order Merle, why not go with Lamm? The Lamm M1.1s (at an appropriate discount of course) are only slightly more expensive than the Joule OTLs or the bigger Atma-Sphere OTLs. I have the Lamm L1 preamp and it is so amazing, I implicitly trust anything Vladimir designs at this point. The Lamm/Kharma combo is a particularly synergistic one.

I have Transcendent Sound Stereo OTL driving my Merlin VSM-Millennium and love the combination. The Transcendent monos (80 watts/side) can drive down to 4 ohms successfully. I prefer them over Atma-sphere as they don't run as hot and are more dynamic. As far as price goes, they are reasonable as they are sold factory direct (www.transcendentsound.com) with a two-week trial period.

Dkuipers, you and I are certainly on the same page...I have the Kharma's with the L-1 amd ML-1 combo and it is amazing. I also use a Komuro 35watt set with the Kharma's and it is the equal to the Lamm's (better at some things not as good at others) Merle, I don't think any of the reasonably powered OTL's would have a hard time driving the relatively benign Kharma load. As always try and audition before you buy (I agree with the above posts that the Transcendent and Joule's are very nice I would also add the Graff OTL to this audition list).

I'm using Atma-Sphere M60 II monoblocks with Quad ESL 63's, and need only half the output tubes in a medium-size room. Sound is much improved over a Pass Aleph 3, not too shabby itself. For info on your speakers, why not contact the Atma-Sphere designer: ralph@atma-sphere.com? I've found him very accessible and helpful. You can allow for some bias, but I'm sure he can be trusted on whether your speakers and his amps make a good match.