Can anyone describe the sound of the Kharma...

I can vouch for Kharma 1.0 also. I have owned a pair close to a year now and am still amazed at the purity of them.I am using Thor Audio 30 watt monos and T1000 linestage.I would not call them bright sounding at all.If anything they may be slightly ( only slightly) on the darker side.I listen to mostly Piano Jazz etc. and find they excell in this area. If you need major bass dynamics and listen to hard driving music I don't think these are the right speaker for you,but if you just enjoy natural sounding music that is not pumped up with extra bass or screatching highs,I think you'll love em! To me they sound very sophistacated. Good Luck

The Ceramique 1.0 is among the most coherent multi-way speakers I've heard. Somebody did a really, really fine job on the crossover. They may not be the last word in upper treble detail, but with the right amplification they are almost buttery smooth and still quite dynamic. I believe that Paul Marks of Thor uses this speaker or one of its siblings when evaluating his electronics, and that's a pretty good endorsement. I'd say that very few 30-watt amps can drive them well, but the little Thor sure can.

I got to listen to the 1.0's in the same system as a pair of Watt/Puppies (6.0 I think), and the Wilsons had better bass slam and overall dynamic impact, along with a more extended top end. But the 1.0's sounded more relaxing and had "bloom" - they get the midrange right, and that's where it really matters. Note that they like a very dynamic amp (like the Thor); otherwise they can sound a little subdued.

From what I'm hearing from you guys, it sounds like the Ceramiques are similar in sound to the Avalon Eclipse? The midrange of the Eclipse was very addictive.

It also seems as if the the Kharma's are close competitors of the other 3 speakers I'm considering (SF Amati Homage, Proac Response 4.0 or 3.8). Each is reported to do the midrange well. Can anyone compare the sound of the Kharma's to these other speakers? Thank you,

Jordan

Also, aside from the Cary 805C, what other tube amps will mate well with the Kharma, or for that matter, the Amati's and Proacs? I probably cannot afford the Tenor's, especially after buying a speaker in this price range, but I am expecting to pay in the <$7,000 range (used) for a quality tube power amp to power one of the above speakers.

Thanks for the help, guys! And Thorman, I had never heard of Thor Audio prior to reading your response. They look like quality amps. My Manley's also used Svetlana EL34's and really brought my Avalon Eclipse to life. Unfortunately, it took a 100+ watts of Triode power to really open the Avalon ups IMHO. I'd like to use less power, but also be satisfied listening to orchestral, blues, jazz, folk, and the occasional rock (no heavy metal for me please!).

Thanks again for the help!

While the midrange may be very transparent in both speakers, the Kharma's are much more coherant. There is a more natural and lifelike sound with the Kharma's.

All of the speakers you mention are quite good. I just feel that the Kharma's are more like listening to the real thing. They are faster and more open with greater resolution and detail.

The Tenor's are the best. :) But, if you can find a Lamm ML1, Joule Electra, Audio Aero Capitole, Manley Snapper, or Atma-sphere MA1 MK II.2, they will all work extremely well.

You really do not need much power to drive the Kharma's.