Description

Hello! This is my humble setup. Please feel free to comment. The KARA is one of the most revealing and transparent speaker in the market at this price point. Matched with UK's CHORD electronics, she not only sing! She'll embrace you :) Recently added the Chord Blu transport with DAC64 to complete my setup. Now that's when the KARAs "disappear".... or this is how my audiophile friend call it. Unbelievable transients. Truly happy visceral vibrations! I am done for now i guess( for a little while). Thanks for looking.
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Components Toggle details

    • Cabasse Artis KARA
    Number of ways 4
    Driver complement 1x TC 22
    1 x 30M22
    Sensitivity (1W/1m) (1 W/1M) above 93.5 dB
    Cross-over point 100/600 3,800
    Frequency response 35-22 Hz ± 3 dB
    Nominal Impedance 8
    Minimal Impedance 3.2
    Power handling 150 W
    Peak power 1,050 W
    • Chord Blu
    Chord's one and only CD transport
    • Chord DAC64 mkII
    Dual data input for BLU transport completes the mkII
    • Chord Electronics Ltd. CPM 3300 Integrated
    MOSFET-powered integrated amplifier. Power output: 220Wpc RMS into 8 ohms, 300Wpc RMS into 4 ohms. Frequency responses: preamplifier, 2.5Hz-200kHz, -3dB; power amplifier, 0.8Hz-46kHz, -1dB, into 8 ohms. THD (x1 gain): 10Hz, [lessthansign]-91dB; 1kHz [lessthansign]-93dB; 10kHz [lessthansign]-90dB; 20kHz [lessthansign]-87dB. Power amplifier gain: 30dB. Preamplifier S/N: 93dB, all inputs. Input impedance: 47k ohms unbalanced, 94k ohms balanced.
    • Nordost Frey
    Insulation: Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)
    Construction: Precision Micro Mono-Filament design
    Conductors: x 8 26 AWG solid core
    Material: 60 microns of extruded silver over 99.9999% OFC
    Capacitance: 42.0pF/ft
    Inductance: 0.4µH/ft
    Propagation: 80% speed of light
    Overall Shield: 97% Braid
    • Nordost Red Dawn Rev 2 for LOW
    Insulation: Extruded FEP
    Conductor: x40 varied and balanced
    Material: 60 microns extruded silver over 99.999999% OFC
    Capacitance: 8.7pF/ft
    Inductance: 0.13uH/ft
    Propagation Delay: 94% speed of light
    • Nordost Blue Heaven Rev 2 for HIGH
    Insulation:Extruded FEP
    Conductor:x72 round micro litz
    Material:50 microns silver plated 99.99999% OFC
    Capacitance:8.6pF/ft
    Inductance:0.13uH/ft
    Propagation Delay:93% speed of light
    • Nordost Pulsar Points for all equipment
    Dimensions:
    Base: 4 cones 3.5cm (1.3/8²) in diameter
    Top: 4 contra pieces 2cm (3/4²) in diameter
    Height: Both pieces are 2.5cm (1²) high
    Weight: 100kg (200Lbs)
    Material:
    PP4: high grade aluminum
    PP4Ti: high grade titanium
    • Symposium Rollerblocks S2
    Ball in a cup. Simple but effective. nuff said
    • Isoclean 106 mk 2
    6 IEC socket powerboard with solid copper housing all round
    • Aavik A4
    4 tier rack
    • Quantum Symphony Pro
    Pure Voodoo science. Snake oil? You decide:)
    • Echole Obsession
    copper surprise!
    • Isoclean Isotip S2
    Shock absorb tips made of teflon. Used under speakers

Comments 31

That's a nice transformation from the man in a robe........

Now if you can do a similar transformation from the Energizer Bunny to the Gallo Acoustics Nucleus (without the grille)...... [-;

tkrieger

Hi Rotti,

Could you please let me know where you get your echole obsession cables ? Any dealer in HK ?

eric300

Owner
Arkprof, Thanks for your comment. I pick these spks for it's sonic performance first, then it's eccentric design 2nd. Also they are unlike anything i have ever seen before :)

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Vhiner, Shunyata Research products are very popular in these parts of the world. However, a good friend of mine suggest that the conditioners from Audio Magic is much more suitable for my setup. I tend to believe him as he has the same spks as i and our sonic taste is pretty similar. However, i willl still pick up the Shunyata and have a listen myself. Thanks for the recommendation.

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Mapman, Thanks for your comments. The beautiful thing about the pursuit of sonic nirvana is that everyone has their own path to such end. A glance at your system list shows that you have a really meticulous ensemble. I must admit i have not audition anything close to what you have there but i am sure it sounds heavenly. N'joy in good health!

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Mcmahon441, The Karas have been replaced by the Karissima. They have made pretty significant changes to the Bass ports and Bass drivers. Have you tried contacting Cabasse Acoustic Centre direct? Their export assistant manager is a really lovely person to speak with. I am sure she will be able to direct you to the nearest dealer. I got mine in Hong Kong. The last time i checked, they still have a Piano Gloss finish Kara left. But it's going for a huge premium due to it's exotic finish.

rotti

How did you ever find a pair of Cabasse Karas? I've been trying to get the US distributor to respond to my requests to buy a pair for months and they won't even return my e-mails. Is there a dealer somewhere I could contact? Beautiful system though, I'm sure it sounds amazing.

mcmahon441

There is another virtual system on A'gon called "Two Steps From Heaven".

That system may be heavenly as well, but in looking at those Cabasse speakers, they might make me feel even a step or two closer!

Very nice!!!

mapman

One of the coolest systems I've seen in a long while. Rotti, have you ever considered a Shunyata Research V-Ray conditioner? I think it would blow your mind.

vhiner

The Cabasse speakers are stunning ... pure artistry, and so very beyond the standard box

arkprof

Owner
Hey Arcoleo, now i see where you are going. Your setup is yet another level which mere mortal souls like me can only hope to achieve :) Since the transparent cables are out of reach to me for now , i will stick to nordost. In fact your transparent cables makes my nordost sounds cheap...hehe Anyway, thanks for sharing and enjoy your system in good health! Cheers!

rotti

Hi Rotti. The system has been dismantled due to a move,,, but when it was together it consisted of the EMM Labs dac and transport, and Magnum Dynalab 108 tuner as front end pieces. Chord cpa 4000 pre amp recently traded for the Chord 5000. Amps are the Chord SPM 6000 momoblocks. Speakers were the B&W nautilus 800 signature. Speaker cables were Transparent reference MM, and interconnects Transparent Reference.

arcoleo

Owner
Hi Saisunil! Totally agreed! This is by far the most analog and musical CDP i have heard. Brought it to a friend's place one day for a 'shoot out' with his analog gear. And i was pleasantly surprised that the Chord and stand up with his gear :)
Of course i must admit that NOTHING can compare to pure analog setups and there's no exception in this case. But it's very close when comparing vocals, jazz. The big diff came when we played ROUND UP by ERIC KUNZEL. Then i got really bowed over by his analog gear. Perhaps it's the CD recording that made the piece loosing some of it's energy and sound density. Or perhaps the Chord's is not the best match for the rest of his system i dunno.

Anyway here is his amazing analog setup whose sound still haunt me till now :)

Basis TT with Clearaudio Goldfinger Cart
ASR Basis Phono with Battery power supply
ASR Emitter Exculsive II with outboard power supply

rotti

Owner
Hi Arcoleo, i have been a nordost fan for the longest time and it's time for me to venture out :) I am very interested in your setup but i dont see your virtual system over hear? Maybe you can tell me more? TKS in advance.

rotti

Owner
Hello Tbooe, the rollerblocks were under the Chord CD Rack when i still had the Gryphon amp. To be honest, i can't hear any difference when it was set up like that. Perhaps the Chord's solid alum chassis is stable enough by itself already. However, i did get HUGE improvements over my previous ARCAM cd player. The immediate observation is that your speakers become more transparent. Soundstage widens up slightly and Hi freq resolution improved slightly. Also i notice that the rollerblocks works the best with equipment which are not too 'heavy'. Now the rollerblocks are just sitting on my shelf looking pretty. Perhaps i will use if for my DAB tuner to see if there's any improvements.

rotti

Great setup - especially the digital front end.
You may want to consider isloating the Digital Front end from the integrated amp - putting them in a separate shelf or putting some sort of footer like: Waipuna sound MYRTlefeet - I use them and I like them.

Cheers and Happy New Year
Sunil.

saisunil

Excellent set up and awesome to see another satisfyied Chord owner. The level of effortless resolve is uncanny with the Chord equipment. Have you auditioned any other cables. Nordost produces quality stuff however I found Transparent to be a bit more "full" with my Chord kit. Happy listening.

arcoleo

Outstanding Rotti! I have been admiring the Chord components for some time. Out of curiosity, which component do you use with your Symposium Rollerblocks? What improvements did you notice?

tboooe

Owner
Hi Rickmak, they say life imitates art. In this case speaker design imitates life. I actually enjoy looking at them looking at me :) Yes it's a real conversation piece as most of my audiophile friends disagree with the looks. But like all things unusual, it will surely grow on you.

rotti

Great EYEBALLS ! Must be a conversation piece.

rickmak

Owner
System edited: Finally found the densens a good 'home'. Just got myself the Chord CPM 3300 integrated. Now my BLU , DAC 64 and 3300 are an item. They look 'complete'. Sound wise, if i can use a colloquil term to describe it, it's simply " TOK KONG "!

rotti

Owner
Well gregm, looking at what most audiogoners have here, mine is but entry level :)

Yes these speakers really speak the truth ( no p intended )! Any changes in the future will be electronics. Speakers' a keeper :)

Are you talking about SPM? By "single strand wire", do you mean bare copper wire direct from Pre to Power driving lows?

You must have experience with densens.

rotti

This is my humble setup.
You are joking, right. Or is it poetic largesse...:)

You will of course keep those spkrs for many yrs

With the Densen amp on lows you may also try using single strand wire or the Nordost top of line fm a few yrs ago (i.e. not valhalla nor valkyrie or whatever they call it; the one that comes next)

gregm

Owner
the echole obsession is just about burned in. The sound now is much more 'organic' for lack of a better word. Before this addition, with the nordost the sound is very analytical, everything is presented as far as the system allows. But now , the music seems to 'float' around the soundstage. Almost being physical. The notes from acoustic instruments now seems to come from an enclosure instead of from thin air. Vocals now have more presence. It's almost like sometimes when you can sense someone walking behind even when not a sound was made. The voice now takes on an additional layer of information that makes it even more beliavable. This is really some solid engineering considering it's just pure copper.

rotti

Owner
System edited: A friend of mine introduced the isoclean S2 isotips to me and at first i was skeptical. Now i can't live without it. The changes to lower end is dramatic. Most importantly, bass is now tight , authoritative and controlled when played loud. I can perceive the bass going at least another octave lower. Bang for the buck!

rotti

Owner
Hey Cmk, yes i need the wine to take me to the next level :)

Mine is a very simple setup. Seems amateurish compared to what you have there ;)

rotti

So there's your new toys...drool. Must be enjoying many nights with some fine wine, mmm...

cmk

Owner
System edited: Just acquired a new interconnect, echole obsession. Will write more about it after it's been run in.

rotti

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