[SamA]

I'm new to the board and am thinking of upgrading to Odessey's $1500 system. The web site doesn't give me alot of info, but what does the Etesian get me in terms of inputs and headphone possibilities?

Klaus said I'd need a phono pre-amp to run the TT. What other additions could I expect besides a tuner? XM, iPod, cassette/R2R?

Will the Khartago work as well with 4 ohm speakers and 8 ohms?

[djbnh]

Re: headphones - you'll need a headphone amp. Etesian does not come with 0.25" jack.

[Brian]

Hi

The Etesian is a passive preamp. This means that your can use it for CD, Tuner, Tape-deck, dvd and other equipment that gives out a full signal.

For use with a TT, you need, as Klaus said, a phono-amp/RIAA as the signal of the TT is to low for the Etesian. But this is more or less common to day, as a lot of pre-amps do not have a build-in RIAA (The Tempest DO have a RIAA, but cost a bit more than the Etesian)

It does not have an out for a head-phone, so here you can either take it from you CD or in case of the TT you need an extra headphone-amp. One cheap amp which can do both TT and Headphone is the Bellari which cost around 200$, keeping the total budget within 1700$.

The Khartago do not have any problem with a 4 ohm load.

I hope the above will help you

Brgds.
Brian

[SamA]

Okay, so I need a separate FM tuner AND a phono pre-amp. No biggie. FM stinks where I live and, besides, XM offers better programming.

So ... it comes down to this  ...

No chance to audition the gear beforehand. Will I get a "leap" in sound quality from my circa 1982 gear? And if not the Epiphanies, perhaps, the Nightingales?

As I joked with Klaus about on the phone, I'm 50. Despite a tremendous 20-year guarantee, this could be the LAST system purchase I make. Will it take me out in style?

[rosconey]

you will be impressed- your old stuff is about at its limit for life unless you rebuild them,i guess caps last 15-20 years before they degrade-