I had some issues with *buntu Karmic Koala, but since I've managed to fix them all, I'm very satisfied with this release. I'm sharing the solutions with you:
1. Equilizer is not working in Amarok 2.2> Solution: downgrade the phonon-backend-xine package to version 4:4.3.1~svn1037991~karmic~ppa2
2. Digikam crashing> Solution: upgrade digikam to 2:1.0.0~beta6~1ubuntu1~ppa~lure1 and package showfoto to the same version.
3. K3b not writing with a proper speed> Solution: downgrade to the jaunty versions.
4. Installing the audiokonvert program (which offers a right-click menu options for dolphin for audio transcoding)> Solution: download the source tarball, extract and install it as user.
I had no other issues so far. I've removed the PulseAudio with the following descriptions:
Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty – Keeping the beast Pulseaudio at bay Tux’s idyllic life.

After that my Linux looks like it should look.