System edited: Verdict rendered: Tidal Intra stays at the heart of this system.

For a few months, I had been going back and forth between the Tidal Intra amp to the Kharma Matrix MP150 monos. In the end, the choice wasn't really that difficult anymore. Make no mistake: I love the Kharma's, they are wonderful amps for sure and the best switching amps I've heard so far. Yes, they display a tube-like flair and at the same time have incredible agility, deepest blackness and the ability to throw open a lifelike stage. And after I had noticed all that to my delight, ... I still went back to the Intra for the music. Simple as that. Remember, the Intra isn't "but" a proto-type of the abandoned project to design a cheaper Tidal amp, the Impact's unborn little brother. Instead, beyond the Impact, monoblocs have now seen the light of day. Boy, do I know what amp(s) I would choose if the Munich High End Fairy told me I could make a wish this year...

Still, I will not part with the Kharma's. I think with the Ancient Audio Lektor V cdp, a nice little system is just beginning to take shape.

karelfd March 11, 2009 17:10

... SRA Ohio platforms, of course, not ASR.

karelfd December 13, 2008 15:08

System edited: A few changes over the last few weeks: Synergistic Research Tesla T2 powercord for the Preos. Not a world of difference with the VooDoo Vajra, then again, not yet broken in, I suppose. There does seem to be some additional presence and finesse with very good recordings, that is. I'll leave it in place a few months and then change back to the Vajra, that will be more conclusive. I have to try this with headphones amps as well, might do wonders there. Crystal Cable Reference IC's now also between AMR and Preos. Crystal really is a superb match with AMR, finesse is the word again, a cable to stay. Aktyna A.R.I.S decoupling feet under the Intra. Amazing! With no money to spend on ASR Ohio platforms for the amps presently (bl.... crisis), I experimented a bit with anti-resonance feet. Huh, bye Stillpoints and Harmonix, you fought bravely, but this is the real deal. Takes away nervousness (for lack of a better word), deepening the stage, making some of my fetish virtuoso records seem to go even faster. Think I'll treat the Kharma 's to some of these as well. Which reminds me, I still owe you an account of the Intra vs. the Karma amps. Well, just not yet. I can say, the outstanding strong points of the Kharma's are definitely their total "blackness" and speed. But the Intra is just so quite completely pure Music Machine. (Think in the end I have two systems in the making,... crisis permitting, of course)

karelfd December 13, 2008 15:03

Thanks Kevin. Since I live in Germany, I was lucky enough to buy them from Tidal directly. You'll find their present international distributors on the website
http://www.tidal-audio.de/english/contact.htm

Should your country of domicile not be on the list, you can talk or mail to Joern Janczak, they'll work something out. Feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.

Regards
Karel

karelfd November 01, 2008 12:54

First I want to say,what a beautiful system!

I really want to know where you bought your Tidal loudspeakers.They are stunning and want a pair.

Regards,
Kevin

wavejunkie November 01, 2008 02:43

Hi Bob, thanks for your interest, it's either the Kharma's or the Intra, no bi-amp configuration. I have grown really keen to find out where a switching amp scores high (although I'm being told the Kharmas are not "typical" D-amps, whatever that is) against a classical solid state amp, and then see where the journey leads me. I'll comment further when I feel confident enough (probably have to optimize stands before that: the Kharmas are now on Quadraspire X-feet, the Intra on Soundcare Jupiter "integrated" spikes; why don't I just speak to SRA, right...)

karelfd October 06, 2008 17:22

Karel, I am curious whether you are running the Kharma amps in place of your Tidal Intra or whether you are using both the Kharmas and the Intras in a bi-amp configuration.

Please let us know.

Thanks!

cincy_bob October 06, 2008 15:24

System edited: This hobby can be heavy labour. I rebuilt the system to optimize the use of the cables after integration of the Kharma amps. Sadly, 1m IC between pre-amp and cdp proved simply impossible. I therefore reactivated a 1,5m solid core silver cable that Alan Maher custom built five years ago. The sound has somehow shifted to "fresher" (I cannot judge yet whether that means better, worse or just different). Are these the Kharma's, the silver IC, or both speaking? Will it change with further break-in? Interesting comparisons ahead.

karelfd October 05, 2008 17:36

System edited: Experiment "D" has started. I finally had to find out myself what the digital amp thing is all about. After roaming the market for used Nuforce or Rowland for some time, I decided to go for Bruno Putzeys's proprietary pulse control design. And so, here are the Kharma's in the mid of break-in (presently being fed with Friedrich Gulda at Birdland for something like the 7th time). I will revert later with impressions on their performance. Many thanks to Alex of A10 in Amsterdam for parting with demo Grand Reference speaker cable at a "friendly price". Awesome beasts these are. I will have to redesign the architecture of the system extensively, though, and move the gear around to accommodate the length of some of the cables I'm presently using. Part of the fun, perhaps (hmmm)

karelfd September 21, 2008 17:41

Karel, drop me an email anytime, would love to have you over...

mtkhl567 August 05, 2008 21:30

Garry, thank you for your kind, moving words.

Bob, the times I had the pleasure to hear DarTZeel gear (not very often, sadly), I'd say the philosophy behind it is very much alike Tidal's: a window on music, mountain creek clarity and sumptuous richness under one roof, capable of delivering big emotions but without having to manipulate anything to get there. And of course, they resemble in build quality. Funny, I read Hervé Delétraz's comments on the DarTZeel website and thought they could have been Joern Janczak's (only that Joern would throw in a few more words, likely ;^)) So, I think you'll get an idea. Two products in your system I've never heard before, though, are the Evolution Acoustic speakers and the Grand Prix turntable. But wouldn't you know it, Henry, who now lives near the place where I was born in Belgium, combines DarTZeel, Evolution and Grand Prix, seems like I will have to give him a call sometime soon.

We may have another emphasis with regard to the music we regularly hear (opera is less on the menu in my case, small combos rather more) but we sure seem to have the same ideas about the way we want it presented to us.

karelfd August 05, 2008 20:44

A very intriguing system, Karel! While I have not had the opportunity to hear your Tidal amplification electronics and speakers, your desription of the sound resonates with me. I prize timbral accuracy, the preservation of rich harmonics, and the open, natural, effortless sound of large scale acoustic music (orchestra, opera, etc.) faithful to the sound of the live concert hall event. Given the common elements of our audio systems, I expect that the remaining components comprising the rest of our systems are more alike than dissimilar.

It's too bad we are separated by a big pond, as I would very much enjoy some comparative listening sessions...

cincy_bob August 04, 2008 03:56

Hi Karel,

Bravo, bravo {I am standing faced towards Germany applauding in between keystrokes :) }!!

To say that this system is stunning would be quite an understatement indeed. Between the Tidal Contrivas, AMR CD-77, etc., etc., etc., there's simply not a weak spot anywhere nor anything that could be improved upon. Add to this and you managed to throw together a top notch Stax mini-system to boot!

Very cool to see your system’s progression/evolution and also that you chose to share the inspiration for your efforts. Seeing what you’ve done, your Rosemary must have been one truly special lady. We are no more truly blessed when God places someone in our lives that enables us to be better than we could have been singularly through no effort other than seeing the best in us and encouraging our passion for life.

All the best,
Garry

garryh July 27, 2008 18:20

System edited: Tweaked around a bit. Happy I finally found an arm-lifting device; the Yamamoto is a fine piece of craftsmanship at that but installing it on the Well's fountainhead plinth was grueling. Also, I reinstalled the Stax earspeakers in the main system (will try an exciting discovery in the Ayre system instead), so the old VCR finally had to leave the stand. I'll try running a parallel set of rca ICs from the AMR CD-77 to the pre-amp and balanced ICs to the Stax energizer. After consultation, Thorsten Loesch confirmed no harm can be done but I will give it close scrutiny in the coming weeks to find out whether there is any sonic impact and report back. I gave the nod to a pair of Crystal Cable Reference XLR ICs which would look a bit like overkill at first glance (and probably also at second) but they were definitely the best I heard with the Stax. So now how about a matching powercord? Meanwhile, after some experimenting I have substituted the Cicable ICs for the similarly priced Pure Notes between pre-amp and amp again. Perhaps it's because they're only 40cm long, but the Cicables (a far underestimated brand imho) appeared more authoritative with symphonic music. On the other hand the Pure Notes would seem to indulge more in shades and colors when I am using them between cdp and tube amp in the Zu system where I do not listen to symphonic music anyway. Ah yes, cables, a riddle wrapped up in a conundrum hidden in an enigma, aren't they? I must admit it's beginning to look like a zoo with the number of brands I'm now combining but I can confirm until now it's all in musical equilibrium. Still, what additional synergy may be lurking if I went for e.g. all Purist Venustas/Opis or all Synergistic Tesla, I sometimes wonder, ... and what if such experiment would fail, I shudder to think. Oh, and yes I'm quite content to be a nutty cabloholic (within certain financial bounds).

karelfd July 26, 2008 12:59

Karel, I do have occasional private listening sessions with fellow audiophiles. You're welcome to join ... just send me a pm in advance. The next time is late August, early September.

I am indeed a resonator convert, amazing products, cannot go back to before now ... and no big room treatments in the living room either! Very very high WAF. Placing is actually very easy, many people have had experiences to share and 6moons.com have some cool articles on them too. The optimum placement for me took 2 weeks of trying all sorts of locations and combinations. My primary consists of a platinum piggybacking off a gold resonator on the window behind the speakers , and appr. 1 foot above my ribbon tweeters.

I lived in Konigstein & Bad Soden for 4+ years too at some time in my life, lovely area. Would be great to meet with you some time.

Ciao,
Henry

mtkhl567 July 24, 2008 09:57

Hallo Henry,
Dank je. Ik woon inderdaad een beetje verder, namelijk in Duitsland, meer bepaald in Frankfurt a.M. Alleszins wonen mijn vader en mijn jongste broer in Mortsel. En onze beste vrienden baten het restaurant Breugelhof in Wommelgem uit (overigens zeer goed maar zonder de minste kapsones; ondanks de naam geen breugeliaanse maar ook geen El Bulli toestanden...)

Right, after this bit of geography and gastronomy for the advanced I'll go back to the lingua franca.

I visited your system. Bangelijk! Do they organise audiophile pilgrimages to Schilde?
I noticed your unconditional praise for the Acoustic Research Resonators. I like the idea that these unobtrusive small devices could bring about the same improvement as more or less large absorbers would, but I admit having been sceptical until now. Was it difficult or very time consuming to "get it right" in your room?

karelfd July 06, 2008 13:51

Hi Karel,

looks like you have been steadily evolving your system even further, it sounded already great on my visit to hear the Tidal Contrivas...

I hope you're doing well! I read your post on my system and replied. I also updated it with new pictures and descriptions (finally!). The Horch amps you asked about are no longer in my system, but they were excellent.

We moved but still live in Frankfurt city, you're welcome anytime for a visit of course:-)

All the best

Joerg

audionut2005 July 06, 2008 13:24

He Karel, mooi systeem heb je, ongetwijfeld veel liefde in gestoken. Woon je ver van Schilde, bij Antwerpen...?

mtkhl567 July 06, 2008 09:27

Dag Renaat,

Ja inderdaad, van geboorte heb ik een Flemish Touch ;^)
Overigens bedankt voor de bloemen. De ontwikkeling van jouw eigen prachtige set volg ik geinteresseerd, je oordeel over het Accustic Arts duo zet mij ertoe aan eens zeer nauwkeurig te gaan luisteren (in Muenchen had ik jammer genoeg geen gelegenheid).

Groet
Karel

-----------
Sorry guys, not the advent of European Audiogon, just Flemings bonding and exchanging kudos.

karelfd June 24, 2008 11:39

Karel,

Very nice system ! Spreek je Nederlands?

Groet,

Renaat

mattheus June 24, 2008 08:46

System edited: Kevin Tellekamp and His Gang rule! You know how I have been raving about the AMR CD-77, well, at the risk of losing my credibility, on the Ohio base it does everything better. There is just more Nothingness, resulting in a clearer perception of both far ends of the frequency range. Music comes with razor sharp sweetness, rhythmic fluidity, crystal clear voluptuousness, you know the sort of seemingly impossible comrades, can't express it otherwise. A wise man once told me we cannot be but biased towards the gear that we put our hard-earned money in. True, but deduct that and the improvement is still obvious. The Tidals, naturellement, go "OK, pass on to us whatever you like, we'll deliver it". The next piggy bank robbery will probably be motivated by a desire to get these bases under the amps as well.

karelfd June 14, 2008 14:25

System edited: Just received the SRA Ohio Class 3.0 isolation base I had ordered for the AMR CD-77. What a superb craftsmanship! I admit, this is the ultimate confidence investment as these bases are custom-made along the specifications of any particular component. No way back, no real alternative use! So, until the "innards" have settled, the coming weeks will be sort of suspenseful. Surely, it will be different from the wood platform I used before. Hope those guys in black suits and dark shades will not track me down as I'm an alien in possession of submarine technology now... http://www.silentrunningaudio.com/home.htm

karelfd June 10, 2008 20:52

I believe this will be the ultimative monitor for some time to come!

Sir,

If you were to pass through Mumbai - India then you are most welcome for an audition @ my place.
It is a great speaker.
Very very musical & subline - yet rich in detail - no masking or roll off !!!
The 30 mm T & P is extremly 'well behaved' !!
Does not attract any attention to itself.

Currently being driven with Gryphon Audio Electronics & Cary CD 306 SACD Professional & Meridian 808i.2 CD Players & Argento Cables. Power Cables are Transparent Audio PLMM.

I am 'satisfied' after many many speakers I have gone through.

schwinnindia April 25, 2008 17:09

Hi schwinnindia, always good to hear of another member of the Tidal "in-crowd".

I have been ogling the announcement of the Amea Diacera on the website for some time. Once it goes into series, I think I'll book a trip to Cologne to go and listen (even better if Joern would happen to pass via Frankfurt and bring a pair with him, of course ;^) I believe this will be the ultimative monitor for some time to come!

karelfd April 23, 2008 16:13

Tidal Contriva
2005 model with ceramic mid driver, black piano lacquer finish. The musical knock-out experience and Must-Have to both Rosemary and myself on first audition. This was like finding the Holy Grail of Speakerdom. http://www.tidal-audio.de/english/startenglish.htm

Yes,
I could not agree more.

I have a speaker that is called T.A.D.
This is a name that Jorn & I kept for the speaker that Jorn specially & lovingly made made for me.
It shall be a production model soon.
I have had mine with me for the past 7 months.

T.A.D. = Tidal Amea Diacera - Signature Black Version.

It is a 'piece de resistance'
Must hear product.
Mine has no serial number - custom made - one of a kind.

T.A.D. - Tidal Audio Diacera [Diamond + Ceramic] - Custom made - 30mm [T & P]
Diamond Tweeter + 7" Black Ceramic Woffer [T & P] - Germany

schwinnindia April 23, 2008 12:38