Why the switch from Kharma/Tenor to DarTZeel/VSA

I can't speak for anyone else here, but I went with the Von Schweikert VR-9s because I didn't think my Midi Exquisites conveyed the dynamics of rock music--the genre I listen to most frequently--to my satisfaction. In that respect I agree with Gladstone's assessment of the Midi Exquisites; they sound beautiful but a little lifeless and dynamically lacking. I've owned, and own, several Von Schweikert products, and I've been mightily impressed with all of them. If the VR-9 is indeed comparable to the VR-11--and I don't have any reason to doubt that it is--I should find what I didn't in the Kharmas. As for the Dartzeels, they're the only solid state amp I've heard that stands toe to toe with the world's VERY BEST tube amps. I've been wanting to go solid state for years, but haven't heard a SS amp that I've been truly satisfied with in EVERY parameter . . . until now. Of course, it's not for everyone and your mileage may vary.

Yes, I suppose you're right there, too, Frank, I wasn't thinking about it that closely. I should add that the Dynavector remains everything you said it was.
But I do hope you get a chance to hear the vr's. While the jrs, as I indicated, lacked the refinement of the Kharmas at the NY show, I did think they were more satisfying in almost every other way--and the Kharmas, of course, are much more expensive.
Now, if you'd only see the light, and get a pair of Magnepans...!

By way, Frank, I've actually ordered two pairs of the Vr, Jrs.

BEWARE of VSA show demonstrations.At the 97/98 CES,VSA furnished "us" with a pair of VR-6s.Everyone who heard them was in love with them {me too}.Several went out and bought them {me too}.Everyone we know who bought a set was disappointed and sold theirs {me too}.We found out that VSA had a "special" speaker built for the show {IE:different crossover parts,wire,cabinets and damping material}.Albert had offered to build this speaker for another manufacturer,but said it would cost $24,000.00 to reproduce.The original VR-6s listed at $12,500 with dealer cost of $6,250.No wonder we all got snoockered.Very untrustworthy,just a word to the wise.

Frank, I see your point about comparing a speaker by the same company. So, yes, it is unfair to make any comparison to a speaker that has not been built yet.

I never listed my Kharma's for sale. They sold without listing like they did with you and the new owner is lusting over them like the both of us did. Mark has sold his without listing too. I can tell you they are reselling for a lot less than they did before and I had mine less than a year.

There are a few out there that want Kharma's and have stated to others to let them know they are selling theirs before listing. With the recent price increase hardly any are going new and many going used. :-)

MM