Pair of Khartago monos vs Stratos Stereo Extreme?

Chris_B · « **on:** 16 Apr 2004, 08:44 am »

I had a very nice conversation with Klaus today (thanks again Klaus) and he recommended the Khartago monos above the Stratos Stereo Extreme. Can anyone give me their opinion of the Khartago monos?

rosconey · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Apr 2004, 11:28 am »

thats a good question-
i think a few guys have the 2ch ones but havent seen a mono thread that i can remember

is that a khartago mono extreme

if not why

Chris_B · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Apr 2004, 12:38 am »

Around the middle of May, I will be able to partly answer my own question. I ordered a pair of Khartago monos as recommended by Klaus. Based on our conversation, the models were ranked something like this:

Khartago stereo
Stratos stereo
Stratos stereo Extreme
Pair of Khartago mono or Dual Mono
Stratos mono
Stratos mono extreme

I originally went into the conversation thinking that I would get the Stereo Extreme but was talked out of it. I will be able to compare the Khartagos to a Carver ZR1600 and a Conrad Johnson EL34 tube amp. I will likely return the Carver shortly there after since I only have it for 30 days. It is definitely very powerful and plays fast and with conviction but I don't get the presence and emotion from it that I am looking for. Hopefully the Khartagos will give me a little more of those qualities and kick but bass. That is what I am looking for to replace my tube amp. I will let you guys know shortly.

Chris

Captain Humble · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Apr 2004, 06:44 am »

Chris, congratulations on your purchase.
IMHO, Klaus delivers great bang for the buck as evidenced by my three purchases from Odyssey.

Quote

Khartago stereo
Stratos stereo
Stratos stereo Extreme
Pair of Khartago mono or Dual Mono
Stratos mono
Stratos mono extreme

All posts I have seen, and all of my conversations with Klaus, indicate that the Dual Mono is actually a pair of monos housed in one case. They have the same specs and their performance is identical. Therefore, I would place the Dual Monos on the same tier with the Stratos Monos.

If Klaus has indeed made design changes to these model's that I'm unaware of, I'd appreciate being brought up to date.

Enjoy your new amps.
Jeff

Chris_B · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Apr 2004, 12:43 pm »

I think your right. Do the actually have 2 power cords?

kmmd · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Apr 2004, 01:16 pm »

Yes, the Dual Mono has 2 power cords. It also seems to run warmer than my single mono and Extreme Monos. Is this normal?

byteme · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Apr 2004, 03:00 pm »

Quote

I originally went into the conversation thinking that I would get the Stereo Extreme but was talked out of it. I will be able to compare the Khartagos to a Carver ZR1600 and a Conrad Johnson EL34 tube amp. I will likely return the Carver shortly there after since I only have it for 30 days.

You've got the Carver for 30 days and want to compare it to the Khartago? When did you place the order for the Khartago? This is your first order from Klaus isn't it...

His products are fantastic, his prices are great, his advice - free and worth much much more, his customer service is better than any company I've dealt with. However, when it comes to shipping estimates...it can be a little hit and miss.

markC · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Apr 2004, 03:03 pm »

Yes, this is normal. With mono blocks you've got 2 heat sinks per channel and with dual mono 1 heat sink per channel. Well sort of.

Chris_B · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Apr 2004, 05:17 pm »

Byteme - Yep, this is my first order from Klaus. I need to return the Carver (unless I keep it) by 12 May. Klaus hopes to ship my pair of Khartago monos by the first week of May so if the timeline slides to the right a little, I won't be able to do the head to head comparison. I am hopeful though

.

The Caver ZR1600 (especially for $800) sounds nice and is getting better but I think I want a more refined sound. Based on the great reviews of the Odyssey amps, I wanted to give them a try.

So has anyone heard the Khartago monos? I guess they are relatively new.

kmmd · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Apr 2004, 06:46 pm »

Thanks Mark

byteme · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Apr 2004, 07:57 pm »

Quote from: Chris_B

I am hopeful though .

We are lost without hope. However, my money is on the over in this one.

Chris_B · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 Apr 2004, 02:15 am »

Sorry byteme, I won't take your action

.

So, I guess by the overwhelming lack of responses that no one has heard the Khartago monos.

rivon · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Apr 2004, 03:16 pm »

Gentlemen,

Very interesting thread, but, unless I missed something, the answer still remains unclear to me: why should I prefer the Khartago Monos to the Stratos Plus o Stratus Extreme?

Best regards,

Roberto Ivon

rosconey · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Apr 2004, 03:24 pm »

because they are monos i would think-handle power peeks better-
klaus thinks very highly of the little amp, if he says so it works for me-

of coarse he has been wrong before-like when he said i didnt need monos for my sub

i ignored him and am very happy with them for sub amps

hagar · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 04:18 pm »

Received the Khartago monos few days ago.It´s definitely too early to say something exactly bout the characteristic sound because they aren´t
burned in already.All I can say ist they are more powerful than i´d expected.They drive my vintage Infinity RS II B (impedance nearly down to 2 Ohm)with ease.
I will give them another few days to burn in with my CDP in repeat position before I start to listen intensively.
By the way:
Hello Klaus,it´s OK with the binding post,I called WBT and two days later the plastic ring was in my mailbox,for free!

Anton · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 07:10 pm »

Congratulations, hagar!

If I may make one suggestion: try using an old fm tuner or similar equipment for the break-in process. I used a player and since the Stratos take quite a time to break-in the player was damaged in the end and had to be repaired.

Happy listening!

maxwalrath · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 07:34 pm »

ditto, I don't have a tuner so I put my tv on mute and used the audio outs on it for a few weeks during burn-in.

Chris_B · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 08:03 pm »

Congrats Hagar. It looks like you may be the first person to post a review of the Khartago monos. As soon as you can, even if they are extremely preliminary, please post your impressions. Sometimes it is nice to see reviews of the initial out of the box, mid-burn in and final results to judge the change.

Good luck and enjoy.

hagar · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 08:14 pm »

Thank You Anton and maxwalrath!
I´ll see what I can do else since I don´t have a tuner and I don´t have a TV in my listening room.Maybe take the el cheapo samsung CD player of my lady?!
I will post more of the khatargos sound when the burn-in is in the next step.
greetz
Hagar

hagar · « **Reply #19 on:** 20 Apr 2004, 08:24 pm »

Thank You Chris_ B.
When I get the time on the weekend I´ll try to .
But for now I can already say:Looks like a perfect match.