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Classic Systems |
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Speaker |
Amplifier |
Preamplifier |
Source |
Interconnect |
Speaker Cable |
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The Kharma - Lamm System |
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| Kharma Ceramique 1.0 pictured) or
other of the easier to drive Kharma speakers like the Ceramique 3.2 or
Mini Exquisite. |
Lamm ML2.1 or ML1.1 |
Lamm L2 (pictured)
or LL2 |
(various) |
(various) |
(varies) Kharma KLC Supreme
Reference-1A. 28 conductors of pure silver/gold in a substantial vibration
isolation tubing. |
| This system has appeared in slightly different guises at
many different audiophile shows. It is quite musical and seductive.
Because the Ceramiques, and some Exquisites are fairly easily driven speakers, they can be
paired with the most musical of amplifiers - which we have here with the Lamm
amplifiers. 2006 Update: In the
intervening years since the original system description, Karma has come
out with some smaller speakers in their exquisite line that not only sound
better than their Ceramique counterparts, but are also easy to drive and
are very synergistic with the Lamm amplifiers. |
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The Kharma - Tenor System |
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| Kharma Ceramique 1.0 pictured) or
other of the easier to drive Kharma speakers like the Ceramique 3.2 or
Mini Exquisite. |
Tenor
WP75 or WI75 |
(Tenor integrated's preamp or various) |
(various) |
(various) |
(varies) |
| 2006 Update: In the
intervening years since this page was first created, the Tenor amplifier
appeared on the scene and just as quickly left. They are in process of
rebuilding the company and the amps can only be found on the the used
market at this time. The sound of these speakers and this amplifier
together is amazingly detailed and refined, with a high-energy
presentation and a ease with microdynamics that is usually seen only in
speakers with the highest of efficiencies. |
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The Avalon Eidolon - ARC Ref 300 System |
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| Avalon Eidolon, Eidolon Diamond,
and Eidolon Vision |
Audio Research
Corporation
Reference 300 |
(various) |
(various) |
(various) |
(various) |
| This system first appeared in Fi Magazine (presented by
Robert Harley). Based on this review, many people discovered the wonderful
transparency of the Eidolons. The Eidolons are moderately difficult to
drive speakers, liking lots of current. Another amplifier that drives
these speakers well is the Accuphase A50V 50 watt pure Class A monoblocks.
2006 Update: Although Avalon continues
to improve the Eidolon speakers and make them easier for amplifiers to
control - their weak link is still finding an amplifier that can both
handle the speaker load and which sound good in and of themselves. For
those who cannot afford the heat and/or cost of some of the mega-sized
amplifiers, the less expensive Ayre and small-sized Rowland class D
amplifiers and its clones work pretty well, their flaws counter-balanced
by their high wattage and masked by the dominant characteristics of the
higher-quality speaker. |
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The Sound Lab - Wolcott System |
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| Sound Labs (M1 or
U1) |
Wolcott |
(various) |
(various) |
(various) |
(various) |
| This system has appeared at many trade shows. The Sound
Labs are difficult to drive speakers, and the Wolcotts are one of the
few tube amplifiers that can power them gracefully.
2006 Update: This is still true. Only
alternatives to the Wolcott are using a large tube amp like the ARC
Reference 300 or a powerful solid-state amp with tube gear upstream. We
have liked the big Edge NL Reference 800 watt 'pyramids' and the big
Innersound monoblocks - but always with at least some tube equipment
upstream like the tubed output stage on an Audio Aero Capitole or Prestige
CD player. Dry and lean sounding amps like the Parasound JC-1 will require
even more tubey sounding gear upstream or the system will sound quite artificial
and brittle. |
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