The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!

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tommystery

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 28
The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« on: 11 Oct 2006, 06:49 pm »
Hello everyone, I tried registering on Harmony Discord but they keep on asking me for a confirmation number when I click register and I haven't found a spot to enter it in yesterday.

Anyway, I picked up an old Odyssey Stratos yesterday, branded as a ODL HT-2 - essentially the same amplifier just outbranded like bryston sells boards to a lot of companies such as lexicon etc.)  I have to say that I'm honestly impressed.  I have tried products from other companies ranging from Rotel, Marantz, Sansui, SAE, a Crown K1 at some time, a Onkyo Integra M508, and I have to say that this amplifier, by far, is the most rigidly constructed amp that I have ever seen.  In addition, it has the most controlled and synergetic sound that I have ever heard my speakers produce.  The only thing that I think the amp could benefit from is a good tube preamplifier, but even with the mediocre pre that i'm using now (It's a Mackie Mixer [I do DJing on the side]) the amplifier sounds fabulous.

What amazes me the most however is how much cleaner the soundstage has suddenly gotten, the 60 000uf of capasitance also does wonders to keep the sound energetic and alive.

All in all I'm an extremly satisfied owner of one of the older Odyssey products.

Now I have a few questions to Klaus.  I had been looking for an Odyssey amp for some time and when I stumbled upon this one I jumped at the opportunity to buy it.  At first I wasn't sure if this was the same product but when we opened it up it looked identical to the pictures on odysseyaudiosg.com.  Have there been any improvements in the Stratos line since? and Are there schematics available for this amp in case I wanted to do some of my own Mods?

Thankyou,
Robert Panasiuk

bunky

Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #1 on: 11 Oct 2006, 09:16 pm »
Hello everyone, I tried registering on Harmony Discord but they keep on asking me for a confirmation number when I click register and I haven't found a spot to enter it in yesterday.

Anyway, I picked up an old Odyssey Stratos yesterday, branded as a ODL HT-2 - essentially the same amplifier just outbranded like bryston sells boards to a lot of companies such as lexicon etc.)  I have to say that I'm honestly impressed.  I have tried products from other companies ranging from Rotel, Marantz, Sansui, SAE, a Crown K1 at some time, a Onkyo Integra M508, and I have to say that this amplifier, by far, is the most rigidly constructed amp that I have ever seen.  In addition, it has the most controlled and synergetic sound that I have ever heard my speakers produce.  The only thing that I think the amp could benefit from is a good tube preamplifier, but even with the mediocre pre that i'm using now (It's a Mackie Mixer [I do DJing on the side]) the amplifier sounds fabulous.

What amazes me the most however is how much cleaner the soundstage has suddenly gotten, the 60 000uf of capasitance also does wonders to keep the sound energetic and alive.

All in all I'm an extremly satisfied owner of one of the older Odyssey products.

Now I have a few questions to Klaus.  I had been looking for an Odyssey amp for some time and when I stumbled upon this one I jumped at the opportunity to buy it.  At first I wasn't sure if this was the same product but when we opened it up it looked identical to the pictures on odysseyaudiosg.com.  Have there been any improvements in the Stratos line since? and Are there schematics available for this amp in case I wanted to do some of my own Mods?

Thankyou,
Robert Panasiuk
Hey Robert, a long time ago Klaus Bunge had some business partners who tried to Hijack the Symphonic line Designed Stratos that was licensed to Mr Klaus Bunge of Odyssey Audio by the Premier Audio Engineer Herr Rolf Gemein of Symphonic Line in Germany. Klaus took these folks to court where it was confirmed that Klaus Bunge had the sole rights to manufacture this wonderful amplifier design. the courts shut down ODL and in the end Klaus Bunge was the only man left standing.And we all lived Happily ever after. thanks....WCW III  :lol:

tommystery

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 28
Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #2 on: 11 Oct 2006, 10:36 pm »
Wait, so you're telling me that this amplifier was manufactured illegaly?  I was told that the amplifier was actually covered by Odyssey's 20 year warranty and that all I had to do was call Klaus and give him the serial number if I ever needed it to be serviced.

In fact, I was told that ODL stood for Odyssey Design Labs which was part of Odyssey and took care of marketing in Europe.  Is this false?

I'm suddenly uneasy about owning this unit.

Are there any problems with the units themselves?

djbnh

Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #3 on: 11 Oct 2006, 10:40 pm »
Wait, so you're telling me that this amplifier was manufactured illegaly?  I was told that the amplifier was actually covered by Odyssey's 20 year warranty and that all I had to do was call Klaus and give him the serial number if I ever needed it to be serviced.

In fact, I was told that ODL stood for Odyssey Design Labs which was part of Odyssey and took care of marketing in Europe.  Is this false?

I'm suddenly uneasy about owning this unit.

Are there any problems with the units themselves?
I recommend you contact Klaus.

tommystery

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 28
Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #4 on: 11 Oct 2006, 10:48 pm »
Quote
There is no 20 year warranty with that unit, but Klaus will be able to fix it if it should break, for a price.

Bummer.  I bought the unit from a private seller for $400 CDN.  He originally wanted $600 for it, but I talked him down by mentioning that the unit is older than the current stratos, and the glass ODL sign has a crack about half way through the middle.

Heh, go figure, I just assumed that he didn't know the real value of the unit.

I'm still really impressed though.  What kind of revisions were made to the amp?  And would the schematics be available for my amp? Also, are the specs of this unit any different than the current stratos?

bunky

Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #5 on: 11 Oct 2006, 11:23 pm »
Quote
There is no 20 year warranty with that unit, but Klaus will be able to fix it if it should break, for a price.

Bummer.  I bought the unit from a private seller for $400 CDN.  He originally wanted $600 for it, but I talked him down by mentioning that the unit is older than the current stratos, and the glass ODL sign has a crack about half way through the middle.

Heh, go figure, I just assumed that he didn't know the real value of the unit.

I'm still really impressed though.  What kind of revisions were made to the amp?  And would the schematics be available for my amp? Also, are the specs of this unit any different than the current stratos?
:singing: If i were you, i would send it to Klaus for a checkup.have it re biased and get the 120.000 uf cap upgrade and get Klaus to replace the cracked window with a new one.and Order the New Candela Linestage tube Preamplifier to go with your newly upgraded Stratos. thanks....WCW III  :rock:

tommystery

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 28
Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #6 on: 11 Oct 2006, 11:27 pm »
LoL, bunky.  I just read about the Candela on the forums and I drooled on my keyboard  :lol:.  At the moment though I just honestly don't have $1200CDN to spend on a preamp :<

As for rebiasing, and doing any possible upgrade, I'm hoping that Klaus will read this soon and leave a message with some possibilities.

I actually have some Rubycon BlackGate capacitors that I was planning on installing.  I mean heck, if the amp isn't covered under warranty then I might as well pop the hood and mess w/ it a little :D

Does anyone know what the ratings are on the Toroid?

AlexG

  • Industry Participant
  • Posts: 223
Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #7 on: 12 Oct 2006, 02:24 am »
Robert,

Welcome to the forum...as indicated before call Klaus   :wink:

Alex

tommystery

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 28
Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #8 on: 14 Oct 2006, 02:16 am »
Well, I emailed Klaus a two days ago but he still hasn't responded, and I haven't seen him active on the forums either.  I guess he's a pretty busy guy eh?

Can Alex or someone else please give me his phone number?

Thanks,
- Rob

bunky

Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #9 on: 14 Oct 2006, 02:29 am »
(317)299-5578

Haoleb

Re: The Odyssey Stratos Really Is An Amazing Amplifier!
« Reply #10 on: 14 Oct 2006, 02:31 am »
Klaus's Cell: 1-317-299-5578

The best way to contact him is by calling. From what I understand he has more time to chat in the evenings

You beat me to it Bunky!  :lol: