Hi friends. Just to kind of follow up on a previous post here of mine. Managed to spend some considerable time with the Final Audio D-8000 (original tuning) while using the Schiit Kara strictly as a headphone amplifier.
My findings are that the High Gain setting is the money shot with this headphone in terms of voltage/current output relationships. It is the best gain setting and I’ll hover around 60 to 70% of the volume dial depending on the recording/ mastering/mixing levels, which is more than enough volume I think to satisfy anyone.
Anyhow. The Kara being as neutral and uncoloured as it is offers a nice window into the soul of your other existing equipment if you will. I feel the match between the D-8000 and the Kara is that of a good one. The D-8000 is definitely a headphone that can tell you a lot about your existing setup or sound chain and what the Kara does for the D-8000 is it helps keep its bass in check while offering a nice clean, quick and punchy sound.
A good example is the album ‘Genexus’ by Fear Factory.
I find you need an amplifier that is quick in transient response and attack. The Kara definitely has this and when listening to ‘Genexus’ the Kara delivers so much enjoyment and accuracy to this type of music. Really excels with music that is complex and fast.
Overall, The D-8000 tells me so much about the Kara’s character. It isn’t the deepest or more holographic sounding amplifier and it isn’t seriously rich in tonality. It also doesn’t elevate bass. What the Kara delivers is accuracy and speed on a nice level soundstage that isn’t embellished in any way. The treble is clean. The bass is even and I really enjoy how the amp just allows my other existing equipment to show its true character. I’m really glad I bought the Kara. I think the value for it is insanely good and the amplifier itself sounds so different than any of my other existing amps and that is what I truly wanted. Difference.
Kara is a good amp and delivers one of the best even keel sonic presentations I think I’ve ever heard.
As I finished off listening to Genexus with the D-8000 and the Kara I said to myself, ‘man, there really isn’t anything wrong with this.’
…I just keep tapping my feet, fellas. I don’t find fault. I’m just switching off and enjoying what I’m hearing. In short. Kara is a win with the D-8000 in my experience.
