[Spirit]

If money is removed from the equation -
Which power amp amp would you choose and why:
AVA Fet Valve Ultra (either 350 or 550)
or
Odyssey Mono Extremes.
Please comment on :
Build quality.
musicality.

[warnerwh]

There's a comparison of these two in Critic's Corner with a long thread following it. Good place to start.

[Spirit]

There's a comparison of these two in Critic's Corner with a long thread following it. Good place to start.

Warner:
Having trouble finding the thread.
Can you link it for me somehow?
thks

[warnerwh]

Here ya go:  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=1792.msg14156#msg14156

[bunky]

There's a comparison of these two in Critic's Corner with a long thread following it. Good place to start.

Hey Warner, the comparison is of a fetvalve 550ex Vs a Odyssey dual mono which is not the same animal as the mono extreme. the dual mono is a 180 wpc with 240.000 uf capacitance amplifier using two 400va Plitron toroidal transformers for a total of 800 va. the mono extreme on the other hand is 200+ wpc power amplifier with 360.000 uf capacitance using four 400va Plitron toroidal transformers for a total of 1600 va. it is not a fair comparison to the mono extreme by any means. Frank Van Alstine is a Legendary Audio engineer as is Rolf Gemein who designed the Odyssey Amplifiers and anyone should be proud to own either brand of gear. thanks....WCW

[Wayne1]

Here is the controversial review by Jackman which started off some AVA vs Odyssey comparisons.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=989.0

Jackman did end up selling his AVA gear

Tyson still has his.

Here are a couple of other comparisons that Tyson has done with his AVA

Against the Parasound JC-1

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=3352.0

Compared to the Spectron Musician II

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=3093.0

[F-100]

I've never heard of Van Alstine but have owned Odyssey Mono Extreme for several years now and very very happy with them. If you match the Mono up with the right tube preamp, you will be stunned with their performance.

IMO, you can't go wrong with either of them based on the reviews here at AC. It's a matter of which flavor (hybrid or SS) and synergy between the components.

[warnerwh]

Gather all the info you can if you can't try something in your system. What someone likes is their opinion. Either amp is well built and at a good price. You can get used Odyssey amps on Audiogon regularly and occasionally a Van Alstine. If you buy used and don't care for it you can just sell it with little loss and maybe even a small profit.

You also have to consider what your system is like. If I had Vandersteen speakers I'd probably opt for the Odyssey, maybe not but I think I would. With my Vmps RM 40's and the lightning quick planar/ribbons the Fetvalve with Mullard CV4024 tubes is my preference. I believe Tyson prefers the same amp but with Amperex tubes. Most people I think just use the stock Teslas.

There's a large difference between the Teslas and the Mullard 12at7WA tubes I use. The sound with the Mullards has a distinct tube sound but just a little, with the Teslas it's close to pure SS only cleaner. My point being that well all have to make our own decisions based on our own preferences.

In this case though these two companies sell direct. Therefore no dealer markup which means more for you. I've read many times how Klaus is very customer oriented as is the Van Alstine company. You can talk directly to the owner any time you want. These guys take things personally as they build the stuff. I don't see how you can go wrong trying their stuff on the used market. Although the Van Alstine gear rarely comes up for sale they do offer a 30 day money back guarantee. You've got everything to gain and nothing really to lose.