[germay0653]

I know Klaus is very busy since the TAS award and I don't want to be a pest, since I've called him several times already, and don't want to bother him again but I've ordered some Khartago mono extemes and having them SE'd, to be ready  mid March, and Klaus indicated the upgrade to SE will be using german capacitors.  Does anyone know what brand the caps are?  Are they Mundorf's, Vishay BC, Symphonic Line, from a company named German-Capacitor or are they made from some other company based in Germany?  BTW, I'm drooling just waiting for these amps since they'll be replacing and Adcom GFA-5500 to drive some Paradigm Studio 40's. 

Gery

[DigiPete]

Hi Gery,

I have a similar setup, with khartago mono SE's (maxxed out) and Klaus mentioned swapping out the 8 big caps per amp and putting in Odyssey/Symphonic Reference caps. He is also going to change the i/o wiring to Groneberg TS premium.

I drive Paradigm Ref 100 v4.  Just love the sound I get now. Wonder what the mods will do? Klaus says you just get more of everything.... can't wait 

Cheers
Pete

[germay0653]

Hey Pete,

Thanks for the update.  Klaus mentioned the wiring but didn't mention using the TS Premium line.  He just referred to upgrading the internal IC wire to use the Quattro Pro.  He was concerned because of the thinkness and stiffness fitting in the smaller Khartago case.  I checked out the Groneberg site but they don't give you much detail as to what the differences are.  Any clue as to what the difference between the Quattro Pro and TS Premium is?

I use Vampire Wire continuous cast for IC and speaker cable with Furutech RCA's and spades respectively.  I asked Klaus about using that internally but he said stick with the Groneberg because of the synergy.

I've got Paradigm Studio 40's so I'm hoping the synergy will be as good as I'm anticipating.  Klaus said the top end should be a lot smoother than what I'm getting with my Adcom amps.

Thanks,
Gery

[BobC]

Gery,

While I cannot speak to the Quatros, I do have a few TS Premiums in my system.  Very nice cable.  A noticable improvement over the Straightwire cables I was using before.Something potential buyers should know, the TS Premiums come with a stiff plastic jacket.  Almost looks like flexible metal conduit.  To me this was a key attribute as my wifes cat like to chew on my cables    Fortunately the cat doesnt like the TS Premium jackets.  The downside is that the cables are stiff and not very flexible.  I find that I have to position them so that the cable has at least 6" of straight running to the connections on my Candela.  There are some pics in my gallery if you're interested.

Cheers, Bob      

[germay0653]

Hi Bob,

Nice gallery!  I noticed that stiff jacket on the Groneberg site and wondered about it.  My wife hate's seeing the wires on my open racks (Lovan Sovereigns) so we're looking at some entertainments centers where all of the wiring is chanelled/hidden.  She also thinks my amps use too much electricity and throw off too much heat so that's part of the reason I decided to go with the Khartago's.

Noticed you have the new Oppo DVD player.  How do you like it for audio?  I know the video is supposed to be top shelf.  I'm considering getting the SE version as I listen to a lot of SACD and DVD Audio and for the money it hits the right price/performance ratio.

Regards, Gery

[BobC]

I use FLAC through a Logitech Duet going to a Cambridge Audio DACMagic, rather than the Oppo for music.

I don't do DVDA or SACD, though it's nice to know it's there is the format makes a return.  For redbook the Oppo is darn good, but to my ears my DACMagic has it beat.  Others however may have a differing opinion.

If the Oppo had a digital in and could take FLAC, I probably would not have bought the DACMagic.  It would be great if the Oppo SE could do this.

[smata67]

MSK4 2.2uf/250v Wima capacitors are placed across each capacitor in the Stratos Extreme, my khartago mono se, though, did not have these.

[germay0653]

I noticed that, MSK4 2.2uf/250v Wima capacitors are placed across each capacitor, in pictures of the Stratos Mr. Bedworth has recently put up for sale.  Not sure that will be done to my Khartago's though.  Klaus indicated they were the "better" German caps but that's the extent of my knowledge.  I'll be speaking with him tonight or tomorrow for final payment and delivery arrangements and will try to get specifics then.  I'll also be posting pictures of the internals when they arrive.

In my last conversation with him I inquired about replacing the stock fuses with equivelent Hi-Fi Tuning Silverstars.  He responded saying better cables would provide better improvement. 

I'm like a kid in a candy store and can't wait to get the amps connected and broken in.

[Eduardo AAVM]

Initially those german caps were Symphonic Line's, later Klaus realized they were sooo good that he got some to become Odyssey SE caps from the same supplier, What supplier is  ? I do not know.

[germay0653]

Thanks for the information Eduardo!