[golfugh]

Just got my amps hooked up.  I've gone from the Odyssey Stratos Mono Extreme SE (Glass Ceiling) to a Kismet+ in the Stratos case.

Several additional upgrades were performed by Klaus above the Kismet.  I just want to say that my initial impressions are "Wow" this is a special amp! 





More to come as they settle in, but I'm way impressed with the overall clarity and dynamics.
Sorry for the poor photos.
Mark

[pfradale]

Hm. Wanted to know if Kismet would fit in the Stratos cases since I like the look more than the Kismet cases and built a stand from Japanese elm to fit my current Stratos mono extremes; thanks for the conclusive answer. If I may, what did you have done "above and beyond" the Kismet?

[golfugh]

I'll leave that to Klaus; but wiring, additional Cap changes, etc.

[loki1957]

Please do keep us informed. I also have the glass ceiling upgrade and really want to know you impression of the Kismet amp.

[Eduardo AAVM]

I am taking a similar road but with all caps of th "blue" type.

Good for you, I am just waiting for my amps also, silver faced, soon to be here I hope.


PCB in black looks like a serious beast !

[golfugh]

I'm at a loss for words.  I honestly don't know how to explain what has happened to my amps.  I started with Odyssey Mono Extreme SE's (Glass Ceiling); phenomenal in their own right, and had them changed to Kismet+'s with some Klaus add-ons.  I've got maybe 100 hours on them, if that.

For reference, my system follows:

DVD/Laser Disk    Sony BDP-300 (Blu-Ray)
Cable/Satellite    SA8300 HD (HD DVR)
Video Display/TV    Pioneer 5080HD Plasma
Digital Source    PS Audio Digital Link III Cullen lvl 4 moded (DAC), Sony CDP C77ES (5disc changer)
Preamp            Odyssey Candela
Power Amps    Odyssey Kismet+ monos (Stratos Case - Fronts), Odyssey HT3 (Center and Surrounds)
Speakers         Kef Reference 205/2's
Speaker Cables    Auditioning KCI Firefly's (incredible cable, more to come on the KCI stuff)
Interconnects    KCI Firefly DAC to pre, KCI Pegasus (Digital Coax), KCI Soundbolt monos to pre, BJC (Toslink/HDMI), Groneberg
Power Cables    VHAudio Flavor 4 (amps), VHAudio Flavor 1 (DAC), LessLoss (pre), Groneberg Reference
Racking            JSP Bolero Credenza (espresso)
Power Con      PS Audio Qunitet

I've been listening to as much as I can over the last few days, from Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Jack Johnson, Yo Yo Ma, etc.  I just finished the Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds BluRay in 2-channel.  I've tried to listen to a variety of music in order to get a feel for the changes in the amps and I'm just continually saying to myself....WOW!

If I were to differentiate the Glass Ceiling Stratos to the Kismet+ I'd say two things, clarity and impact.  Everything you listen to is smoother with a level of clarity I haven't heard with the original Stratos Monos.  Bass impact is much improved, but it isn't just that...there aren't any weak areas I have been able to find.  There is no harshness in the highs, mids are smooth and clear, bass isn't boomy or missing.  It's all just transparent, clear, tight, with impact. 

I'll have to concur with previous assessments of the Kismet's - they are a significant improvement!

Last words:  Tim Reynolds is amazing and these amps accentuate his brilliance with the guitar!

More to come, but again...WOW!
Mark

[KCI-JohnP]

Mark,

Wow, nice! So have they opened up some more since you've gotten more hours on them now?

Best,
John

[golfugh]

John
As always, I'm on the road again.  So, I'll have more when I get home Saturday.  I will say this..they are really an improvement!
Mark

[golfugh]

Well I've now got about 300+ hours on the amps.  Needless to say the amps went through some swings, particularly in the bass.  They started off tight out of the box, then became somewhat woolly/recessed, then boomy, and now impact filled bass - just right.

These are incredible amps with a level of clarity and detail I never experienced with the glass ceiling Stratos.  I'm not knocking the glass ceiling'd Stratos in any way, but...the Kismet's are really at a different level.  Bass has impact, vocals and piano are extremely realistic, acoustic guitar is clear and tight.  There isn't any level of sibilance in the highs with female vocals (Allison Krauss)!

I still believe that the Odyssey amps tend to the warm side and this is still true for the Kismet, but the Kismet is more neutral (with a touch of warmth) than the Stratos.

All of this is of course IMHO.

Mark

[tesjk]

Hi Mark,

I am new to the forum, but just got my Kismet Mono +'s on Sunday (in Kismet cases).  I have about 10 hours on them so far. I can't run them during the day because my kids and wife are home and the system is in the living area.  It is probably really too early to report to the group on the sound.  The first ten hours have been pretty good.  The bass is really boomy right now.  It is good to know that things settle down eventually.  I am listening to the bass on the organ in Rutter's Requiem right now.  The upper frequency and mid bass are amazing already.  I'm sure the bass will get "just right" soon.

My system is:

Magico V3
Manley Steelhead (phono and cd running into line in)
Accuphase DP-57 (used as CD player, but also as DAC for MacBook Itunes)
Thorens 850 on Sounds of Silence Vibraplane
Kismet Monos
Wiring is mix of Tara Labs The One and Odyssey top of line cabling (starts with G). 

I'll post some pictures once I get things back in order. 

I just got to say to anyone reading this that Klaus is a classy guy, is real easy to work with and took great care of me.  I'm a happy customer.  I just need my kids and wife to go on a two week vacation while I run this around the clock to get the amps broken in.  THanks for sharing your experience on the break in.  Just 290 more hours until "just right" (smile).

Terry

[eibhlin]

My apologies in advance for moving this thread a bit off centre.

What is the base cost of a pair of Kismet monos (nothing on the Odyssey website)? What's the approximate cost of trading from a pair of "red board" Extreme Monos to the Kismet monos in the Kismet cases? My husband has the aforementioned Extreme monos, and I'm sure he'd love to be upgraded to the Kismets. I'd like to gather some information and perhaps plan a nice Father's Day-connected surprise for him depending on the cost. Yes, I know I can call Mr. Bunge directly; however, if forum members have information, please reply via PM so I can get the ball rolling. Thanks. 

[eibhlin]

My apologies in advance for moving this thread a bit off centre.

What is the base cost of a pair of Kismet monos (nothing on the Odyssey website)? What's the approximate cost of trading from a pair of "red board" Extreme Monos to the Kismet monos in the Kismet cases? My husband has the aforementioned Extreme monos, and I'm sure he'd love to be upgraded to the Kismets. I'd like to gather some information and perhaps plan a nice Father's Day-connected surprise for him depending on the cost. Yes, I know I can call Mr. Bunge directly; however, if forum members have information, please reply via PM so I can get the ball rolling. Thanks. 

Found what I was looking for:

Trade-in policies.  Very difficult because even though every thing we do is handmade,  the actual work that goes into any Kismet is a bit overwhelming here.  So,  even without extra labor considered,  our margin is actually less than any other products percentage wise.  Usually I have given a full 100 % back for trade-ins,  but I just can't do that with the Kismet.
However,  to make sure that you guys will be happy,  I can settle with a straight 75 % trade in value of any other Odyssey products for a Kismet upgrade.  Hope you guys like that.

[AnalogDog]

I sure hope your husband knows how lucky he is!