AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Odyssey Audio => Topic started by: Ed_Zachary on 27 Mar 2022, 12:18 pm
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I am mildly curious as to how many of y'all still have ORIGINALY PURCHASED gear from Klaus. I am not interested in buyers of used/traded/fell off the back o' the truck equipment. I want a rough idea as to how many of you have Odyssey gear that has your name on the back of it and how long you have owned it for.
My Cyclops has been my Cyclops for 11 years now, it is used every day of the year (the sole exception being if I am out-of-town) and is satisfying as the 1st day I got it. And yeah, it's got my name on the back.
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I still have my original Cyclops and Suspiro combo that I purchased from Klaus in 2015. I did add a set of mono Khartogos and Candela, but I won’t give up my Cyclops that makes me smile every time I listen to it.
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Week 5 on a Khatargo.
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I went from a 3 channel stratos 12 years ago to a stratos monos and candela maybe about 10 years ago and last month a proud owner of kismet ++ monos and waiting on my kismet reference speakers..
Oh and I forgot, somewhere in between, I bought the epiphonies..what a price to performance ratio that is..unmatched..
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I've had My Khartago's (ze full whammy edition as Klaus called them at the time) for a few years now. After hearing his stuff at the Capitol Audio Fest, I am convert. Hope to get a Candella for my 50th birthday present to myself. If you have the chance to see what Klaus can do with a hotel room, it alone is definitely worth the price admission to the show.
Listening to some Keb Mo (Suitcase 2006) on them as I type. :D
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I’ve been a proud and loyal owner of a pair of Stratos monos since December of 2016. I had watched and researched the Odyssey brand for years before finally attending the first Capital Audio Fest specifically to see and experience Odyssey. That was all I needed to order them on the spot.
At the following years’ Cap Audio, I bought a pair of Loreleis from Klaus. Those don’t count, because I don’t have them anymore because I traded them back to Klaus for a pair of his Kismet Reference monitors the following year at Cap Audio (see a pattern? :lol:) That was a few years ago and I still have them.
This year, in August, I had the Stratos’ “Klausified” and he did whatever magic he does to make them even better. Also got a Candela preamp that I’m still playing with and enjoying the heck out of.
All of these feature my name on the back, except his show Kismets, and the Candela has both mine and my wife’s name on it which was a huge surprise and an amazingly thoughtful gesture.
As silly as it sounds, these are more than just “audio products” to us.
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Stratos Extreme since late 2008. I probably need to take it up to Klaus for a recap and maybe upgrade sometime soon.
I bought a used Candela to try out many years ago and it was great but it didn’t have a remote and I passed it along after a little time with it. I would love to try the Tempest Extreme, one of the best looking preamps out there imho.
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2 pairs of Stratos Mono Extremes!
First pair bought new in 2006.
Second pair bought new in 2007.
All 4 amps power my Apogee Duetta Signatures.
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Original Khartago SE+ owner since July 2020. Killer amp with magnificent bang per buck!
- DeeCee
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I had a Stratos many years ago, and stupidly sold it. I'm rectifying that mistake right now - I have a pair of Kismet Monoblocks on order. With my name on the back of both of them :thumb:
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I purchased 3 Mono Extremes in 2003 and still have them---yes, with my name on the back plate.
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Still have my Stratos Stereo Surpeme and Loreleis that I bought back in 2005 as my primary 2-channel system. Gone a lot to headphones the past few years but have no urge to upgrade the Odyssey stuff.
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I purchased my Candela and Suspiro two and 1/2 years ago. Both with my name on the back. :D
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I'm still using my Stratos that I bought around... 2003 or so. Almost 20 years! My name plate actually fell off many years ago, so it's laying behind the amp. No matter.
I've had to send it back to Klaus a couple of times, usually to get biased. One time he upgraded nearly everything in it for me! So it's really a Stratos Plus now (I think that's the designation).
I love it though. My back doesn't love it, as it weighs in around 65 pounds!
To anyone considering buy an amp like this, just be prepared - break-in is real. Within a few hours mine went from not having any bass, to being muddy and not having any highs, before it started to settle down and actually sound good. I called Klaus and told him I thought something was wrong with my amp - It was not subtle. He just laughed and assured me that was normal. And to be patient. Of course, he was right.
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I still have my Stratos Plus that I bought used back in 2002-3 or so. Caveat that it was shipped directly to Klaus first for the Plus upgrade if I remember correctly. Only think I've had to do to it was replace the fuse holders. I had thought about selling it, and loaned it to a friend who proceeded to change cables on it with it powered up. Fuses were soldered in, so had to replace the holders. I'm used to working on equipment, but talked to Klaus about it first.
These are powering a pair of Von Schweikert VR4 Gen IIs, fronted by a Resolution Audio Opus 21 into a Pass Aleph P preamp (used to be a Counterpoint SA5.1 tube pre). Also have Salas FSP phono preamp that I built, with a Thorens TD320 Mkii table on the way.
Wondering what upgrade options are available these days and ballpark cost? I'd like to upgrade it some. I don't need or have room for monos.
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12 years on my two Khartago Mono Extremes, SE version and still going strong!
Productadditionaldescription=Full PS Upgrade Plitron/German Reference caps; Full Cable Upgrades / TS; WBT Topline Posts & RCA's; Full SE +++ Board upgrades; Kismet Black boards
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I do. But then I've only had them for less than a year, so I guess I don't count yet. :green:
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I have my 2 Kismet Mono (in Stratos) and Candela, all with my name on the back. Never say never, but I don't intend to ever get rid of them.
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So, what's the point of this thread?
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I guess it's a brand loyalty survey of sorts.
I purchased two new ones recently, then bought a used one, had to send a new one back because it was buzzing away and am waiting for repairs to be completed.
I'm hoping to have 3 Odyssey amps and not churn them in a very short period of time, that would be disappointing.
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I’ve had my Kismet in Khartago cases for more than 6 years. Never buzzed. Never even got warm. Never been churned.
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I started with a stereo stratos and then stratos mono blocks which were fried from lightning. I now have the latest iteration of mono blocks with bigger toroidal transformers.
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My Khartago Strereo is with me since 2009 .. wil be for more years to come :green:
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Long time lurker. Stratos stereo plus, Tempest preamp and Symphonic Line Legatos purchased from Klaus in 2000 or so. Klaus actually brought them to St Louis so my wife and I could audition them. Purchased the next day and in use ever since. Pretty impressive customer service!
Jim
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So, what's the point of this thread?
The
POINT
is curiosity. Over the years, I have read thread upon thread upon thread about people buying used Odyssey gear, selling Odyssey gear and otherwise churning their Odyssey gear. And so, over the fullness of time, I said to myself "Self, how many folks that frequent this particular subforum (an admittedly small sample size, but what is one to do?) are original purchasers AND still own what they purchased? I shall pose that very question and view the results.
I am uncertain as to the notion that every thread needs a
POINT.
I could tell you the tale of a roadster forum from long ago (let us pause to define some terms: a roadster, for the purposes of my story, is a 2 seater, rarely weighing 2500 pounds or greater, the engine being located in the front, mid-engine or rear, depending on the model, that is "tossable" in the corners, a car to have fun in first and foremost even if one chooses to use it as a daily driver), and long ago would be defined as the last century, to wit, the 20th century. As one might imagine, a forum based on fun cars would, over time, tend to attract fun people. These fun people engaged in the dreaded "THREAD DRIFT", which was anathema to a different sort of person, one who wished for the forum to be about torque specs, aerodynamic flow patterns of windshield washers, are Tooley valve springs better than Comp valve springs, etc., etc. In other words, they wanted every thread and every post to have a
POINT
which suited theirown peculiar needs. Eventually, they raised so much cain that the forum owner had a nervous breakdown and decreed that henceforth, every post must have a
POINT.
This did not sit well with a significant portion of the membership, and after the usual give-and-take and back-and-forth with a now catatonic forum owner, they packed their proverbial bags and left. And forever after, they never called that board by it's actual name, instead it was known from sea to shining sea as
THE POINTY BOARD.
Please don't do that here.
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Good point. Every topic doesn’t need to have a point. Sometimes conversations are better.
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The
POINT
is curiosity. Over the years, I have read thread upon thread upon thread about people buying used Odyssey gear, selling Odyssey gear and otherwise churning their Odyssey gear. And so, over the fullness of time, I said to myself "Self, how many folks that frequent this particular subforum (an admittedly small sample size, but what is one to do?) are original purchasers AND still own what they purchased? I shall pose that very question and view the results.
I am uncertain as to the notion that every thread needs a
POINT.
I could tell you the tale of a roadster forum from long ago (let us pause to define some terms: a roadster, for the purposes of my story, is a 2 seater, rarely weighing 2500 pounds or greater, the engine being located in the front, mid-engine or rear, depending on the model, that is "tossable" in the corners, a car to have fun in first and foremost even if one chooses to use it as a daily driver), and long ago would be defined as the last century, to wit, the 20th century. As one might imagine, a forum based on fun cars would, over time, tend to attract fun people. These fun people engaged in the dreaded "THREAD DRIFT", which was anathema to a different sort of person, one who wished for the forum to be about torque specs, aerodynamic flow patterns of windshield washers, are Tooley valve springs better than Comp valve springs, etc., etc. In other words, they wanted every thread and every post to have a
POINT
which suited theirown peculiar needs. Eventually, they raised so much cain that the forum owner had a nervous breakdown and decreed that henceforth, every post must have a
POINT.
This did not sit well with a significant portion of the membership, and after the usual give-and-take and back-and-forth with a now catatonic forum owner, they packed their proverbial bags and left. And forever after, they never called that board by it's actual name, instead it was known from sea to shining sea as
THE POINTY BOARD.
Please don't do that here.
I see your point.
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POINT.
I could tell you the tale of a roadster forum from long ago (let us pause to define some terms: a roadster, for the purposes of my story, is a 2 seater, rarely weighing 2500 pounds or greater, the engine being located in the front, mid-engine or rear, depending on the model, that is "tossable" in the corners, a car to have fun in first and foremost even if one chooses to use it as a daily driver), and long ago would be defined as the last century, to wit, the 20th century. As one might imagine, a forum based on fun cars would, over time, tend to attract fun people. These fun people engaged in the dreaded "THREAD DRIFT", which was anathema to a different sort of person, one who wished for the forum to be about torque specs, aerodynamic flow patterns of windshield washers, are Tooley valve springs better than Comp valve springs, etc., etc. In other words, they wanted every thread and every post to have a
Thanks for the "roadster" story.
I have my own roadster story:
First roadster I rode in was a channeled deuce highboy on 32 rails that my brother built. Classic for the time, mid sixties. Nailhead Buick, dropped I beam, 4speed, connected to a Halibrand quick change, those straight cut gears had a sound all their own. Also a bunch of custom made parts . Lots of fun. Decently quick in the quarter.. My brother was killed a few years later in an accident in another roadster he built. So, consider others may know a little about roadsters likely well before your experience.
Thanks for the lengthy explanation though, although un-necessary to provide an answer to the question I posted.
Regarding thread drift, your roadster story started that drift..
One would have thought that you could have just wrote the first paragraph but obviously you were annoyed that someone asked what the point was. It was a simple question, should have been easily answered.
Are you collecting data? Trying to decide if an Odyssey amp was for you? Please state the "point" of your inquiry so users here can respond in an appropriate manner.
Forums like AC are here for questions. Realize, you taking things personally was not the intent of my post.
Instead of firing back a reply to re-enforce your position let's move on..
I haven't "churned" my Stratos Extreme++ I ordered from Klaus 4 years ago
Every topic doesn’t need to have a point.
. Really? Fine to have an opinion but your post added nothing positive here.
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Bob2, your original question from this readers perspective was combative and rude. The simple answer to your question is he wanted to know who has held on to their Odyssey gear from when they bought it. He was curious who else got the satisfaction they were looking for with Odyssey and stopped looking. He has gotten ample replies from those who understood the "point".
JCarney
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Bob2, your original question from this readers perspective was combative and rude. The simple answer to your question is he wanted to know who has held on to their Odyssey gear from when they bought it. He was curious who else got the satisfaction they were looking for with Odyssey and stopped looking. He has gotten ample replies from those who understood the "point".
JCarney
While I appreciate your comment I disagree. Thanks for your comment though!
Perhaps we can express opinions like yours and mine without creating a major incident.
Expecting a reason for the question shouldn't be un-reasonable. Which I didn't see in the op.
Thanks!
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No major incident. I thought another perspective would prove useful, it appears it has to some degree. We will just have to agree to dis-agree on the tone of your first post. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
JCarney
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I sure do miss the ignore user function.
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I've had my Cyclops (Extreme+ with ps upgrade) for 10 years. Great sound quality, drives all of my speakers with ease, and built like a brick $hit house. No reason whatsoever to part with it.
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Well, here are some stats to the best of my knowledge.......we don't have exact numbers, of course, but with us monitoring the used markets on a regular basis and of course, the transferable warranties, I nevertheless have a good idea about these numbers here:
Stats:
- Overall in the past 23 years we have built in excess of 11.000 units, garden variety, but obviously mostly amplifiers.
- within that time range we now have over 6500 original customers.
- And probably around 90 % of these owners still have our gear.....the loyalty here is off the charts
- quite a few of our customers are repeat customers, be it an amp upgrade, preamps, mono conversions, higher end Symphonic Lines, or cables, etc.
- keep in mind that we have transferable warranties for 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc. owners, and we encourage to send in those used units by those owners for a complete check-up and re-calibration.......and it's a FREE service !!!! (except, of course, shipping and shipping materials)
- As a matter of fact, and this is NUTS !!!! In the past 15 + years we have more orders (garden variety) from existing customers than those customers who sold their gear in the first place. And when you consider a hobby like this where people change gear like crazy ?????
- Lately in the past few years most of the repeat deals are based on Kismet conversions. The amount of them is through the roof. Right now, at this exact point in time I have 60 ( SIXTY !!!!!) amps here for upgrades (some are repairs + upgrades, to be fair) Nearly all of them are Kismet upgrades, and over half of these include the Hyper power supplies..........
You've got to love the word of mouth.....
So, I don't exactly know what the actual value of this post here is, BUT I am ridiculously proud of the circumstances and results ............
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Right now, at this exact point in time I have 60 ( SIXTY !!!!!) amps here for upgrades (some are repairs + upgrades, to be fair) Nearly all of them are Kismet upgrades, and over half of these include the Hyper power supplies..........
So this is probably not a good time to talk to you about getting an HT-3 then.
In any event, the loyalty of your customer base is (IMO) well deserved (and well earned).
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With any luck mine is on its way back here?
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Yup
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Yeah!
It's going to be a good Summer!
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While I've only had my Kismets and Candela for a couple of years, I have absolutely no desire to fiddle with my amplification. Every time I go to my local Mac or ARC dealer and hear those lines, I walk away smiling, knowing that to MY ears, MY system is in the same ball park. I never walk out feeling like my amps need "upgrading".
Now it is all about source equipment, cables, tweaks and getting the room right.
So bottom line: No churning yet, and no churning expected any time soon.
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I "churned" my Kismets for a SL Kraft 350 stereo amp from Klaus of course.
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Kismet speakers, I waited six months to get them. 5 years now.
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I got my amp back from Klaus today and it's DEAD SILENT when running and sounds great.
No churning.
Now, what to do with this spare Conrad-Johnson amp, better find a use for it.