AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Odyssey Audio => Topic started by: FooBev888 on 19 Oct 2022, 02:58 pm
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Hello,
I've recently received my new Kismet in Khartago (KIK) about two weeks ago. Other equipment in the chain are Wharfedale Linton Heritages, Schiit Freya+, Schiit 4-band tone controls, and Blusound Node 2i. Previously running a NAD 356bee as a power amp with the Freya+ connected to mains in.
First impressions: Exactly what Klaus states. Moments of clarity with mostly Jekyll and Hyde swings. I can tell you though that this amp is fantastic and follows the worn out cliche of "hearing things I haven't heard before" in music I listen to frequently. When it's in focus, very smooth and detailed treble and mids. Round, full, and tight bass. Very much looking forward to when the aural stigmatism resolves itself via play and power-on time. Awesome amplifier.
That said, I have tried two other amplifiers prior to one and sent both of them back. Personal aural preference, but the Schiit Vidar had no bottom end and was very bright to my ears. Rotel 1552 mkII was a midrange swell machine and literally gave me a headache. Again, personal view and preference; I'm not looking to offend owners of the aforementioned amps.
Best,
JL
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That’s awesome, man! And it only gets better with time! What’s your thought on the Schiit 4 band?
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I like it. It works well for what it is when your in the mood to tweak things a bit. It has a bypass switch as well. Not crazy $ either.
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Welcome to the forum, FooBev888.
Yep, it is a little unnerving listening to those things go through what sounds like an interior war for the first few days before they settle. But when they do - Wow!
Mine have been on 24x7 for over a year now, so all I have to do is turn the Candela on for a few minutes and then just enjoy the magic.
From the time I got these broken in, I have been listening to more music on a daily basis than I have at any time in the last 40 or so years. Here is wishing that you find yourself doing the same.
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Hi there!
I am also the proud owner of a (stereo) Kismet-in-Khartago case amp, and absolutely love it.
I have a question about what seems like slight transformer hum: I leave the amp on all the time, and it is plugged into an entry-level Furman power conditioner by way of a PS Audio high-current (SC Plus, I think) power cord.
I’ve really tried hard to exercise good cable management behind my gear to avoid power cables crossing interconnects and speaker cables (or at least keep 2+ inch distance between them). The source, a Schiit DAC, is connected to the Kismet via a good passive preamp.
Regardless, with the Kismet on and no signal entering it, there is a slight hum audible above the amp case, and it seems to be audible through the speakers as well.
While this is hardly a significant issue- the noise is not audible more than a foot away- I am curious if it’s a symptom of DC line noise that might be pretty easy to block, or something else.
Thoughts on possible sources or methodology to determine the source? Or are the Kismet transformers just a little hum-prone?
Thanks in advance!
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You might call Klaus for advice on that hum issue.
Another option is to call Frank at Van Alstine and ask if his Humdinger might help.
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This amp is breaking nicely. During the previous evening's listening session, the amp did its indecision thing for about 20 minutes, then BOOM, it came into focus and stayed that way for the evening. No matter what I threw at it, everything sounded amazing with no harshness. F*** amazing piece of kit.
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I have Magnapan 1.7i s (power/current hungry). Im looking at Odyssey amps. 1st what is Kismet in Khartago? Im guessing it is the guts of one in the other to save costs? What amperage, capacitance and $$ does this result in? I see specs on the site, but not K in K. What does the higher capacitance do?
Do Odyssey smps really need to stay on 24/7 or else have long warm up time?
I talked briefly with Kluas. He gave me a day to call back for my rig details.
Id like to be more informed before talking with him.
Thanks for any info, advise, comments.
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Im looking at Odyssey amps. 1st what is Kismet in Khartago?
Do Odyssey smps really need to stay on 24/7 or else have long warm up time?
Kismet guts in a Khartago case. It is for whatever case you prefer. I like the Stratos case and want Kismet guts upgrade.
Yes I have been leaving mine (Stratos Mono Extremes) on for about three months now. Klaus can explain why. All I know is they sound better when on 24/7. So I leave everything on. Music all day and brown noise for sleeping at night.
My amps will do 60 amps, enough for your speakers.
Others can explain it better than I can.
Have fun,
Wayne in Oregon
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Thanks for that. Its nice getting actual owners input. I think the case with 4 corner columns (Kismet?) looks impressive, but Id cut case cost to upgrade internals. Darn, Id be leary leaving amp on 24/7 without power conditioner. That might be a deal breaker. As it is, I unplug my whole rig when not in use even though I have a decent surge protector. I only have 3 to 4 hours a week to enjoy it.
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I turn mine off during the week unless I have time to listen. Turn them on Friday morning or early evening to listen to them after dinner. Working a lot doesn’t give me time to listen to them weekdays. They sound so good by Saturday that I don’t care about worrying about leaving them in 24/7.
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My listening times vary, but I could power up an hour before listening. My wife who uses rig when Im not home thinks its crazy. She said "is this an antique"? Lol.
I wonder why Odysseys require long warm up. Tubes, yes, but ss amps?
I guess its the one cons of Odyssey.
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My listening times vary, but I could power up an hour before listening. My wife who uses rig when Im not home thinks its crazy. She said "is this an antique"? Lol.
I wonder why Odysseys require long warm up. Tubes, yes, but ss amps?
I guess its the one cons of Odyssey.
Pass Labs amps also take 30 to 60 minutes of warmup until they sound their best. It is because all the caps and other parts need to warm up to a certain temperature to sound their best.
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Pass Labs amps also take 30 to 60 minutes of warmup until they sound their best. It is because all the caps and other parts need to warm up to a certain temperature to sound their best.
Same with tube amps. I think it's actually the inductors that take the longest to fully warm up. The rest of the amp will be 'warm' in about 30 minutes, and then the inductors take another 30 minutes to fully sound their best.
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Wow, just read the post at Odyssey, Qs on warm up/ break in time. That was a "heated" thread.
Most everyone agreed warm up is a prerequisite even with other brand amps.
If I go the Odyssey route, Ill just have to experiment with warm up times. Definately would pull the plug if lightening was active, even with the surge protector that warrantees protection.
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FWIW, I have 3 Odyssey amps and don't leave them turned on all the time.
After 30-60 minutes the sound improves, just like my tube amps.
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I leave my stuff on all the time. Even then, I swear the sound improves after listening for a while, maybe 45 minutes. So I'd conclude, playing music, not just leaving the equipment on all the time, is what makes the sonics get better. No logic behind it, but for me it definitely happens.