Klaus posted something a little while ago about the relatively large number of returning Odyssey customers. You can count me as one of them.
A few years ago I was looking for something to drive a pair of Radio C1.3 and settled on a Kismet in Khartago stereo amp. I used it to replace a Van Austin U70 Dynaco 70 rework. Drove the Radhos just fine, but I really didn't care for the sound of the speakers so sold them. Ultimately wound up with a pair of VMPS RM2s and in a sort of funky set-up used the Odyssey from 250 hz on up. Clearly didn't need all that power and traded the U70 for an AVA SET120, which at the time I thought sounded "as good" as the Odyssey which I thought was quite the complement. Sold the Odyssey.
Fast forward to today. I came into a little bit of cash and wanted to replace my 20 year old VMPS RM2s, just because. I wanted something that was as new as possible. It came down to either the PS Audio FR10 or the new Magneplanar 2.7X. The PS Audio was just updated planar drivers, just better RM2s. I wanted something that would be different. I picked up a pair of Magneplaner 1.7i just to check them out. I liked the sound and the image they projected. Just lacking a bit of sparkle. The mono blocks I was using at the time though, 225 watts, just about melted. (I am not going to name these amps, just not fair). I knew I would need new amps, something with a lot of current.
Odyssey...
I called Klaus and of course, he had the answer. Updated Kismet mono-blocks. Did I want the bigger transformer?
Yes!
Did I want the upgraded capacitors?
Yes!
Meanwhile the Magneplanar 2.7Xs show up. they sound TERRIBLE. Lifeless. No detail, no sparkle. No image. No volume! The 2.7Xs are easier to drive than the 1.7i in my experience but I couldn't get 80 db peaks without the amps again just about melting.
I felt like I had made a horrible mistake. I waited a good long 2 months for my Odysseys to show up. Surely an amp won't make THAT much difference.
Snow delayed things. UPS truck pulled up outside my pace last night at 6:30 pm. Two big boxes. Unpacked them and let them sit in the warm room for an hour before turning them on.
Bliss
Relief
I know the amps need a long break in period. Right out of the box I am super happy. Sparkle, imaging, Maggie Magic, and more. Volume! First test is always King Crimson Larks' Tongues in Aspic.
Yikes!
Amps barely get warm to the touch, no problem.
It will only get better from here.
I see lots of people posting on other forums about how Maggies don't need THAT much power. In my experience they really need a lot of current no matter how many watts.
Odyssey really fits the bill. I like them because they are not too monstrous, a little under 50 pounds so I can still lift them. Maybe not the highest output in terms of watts, but more than enough in my small/medium room.
I think if you are considering Maggies you need to be looking at the whole package, amp AND speakers.
Clearly the Odyssey Kismets are more than up to the task.
Thanks Klaus!