[slow_down]

Hello everyone, first time poster here.  I'm thinking about buying Odyssey's budget system (Etesian, Khartago and Epiphonies) and have some questions I hope you guys could help with.  This would be my first higher-end audio setup.  I currently have a very cheap Onkyo 5.1 receiver and a very decent Polk sat/sub system with an upgraded beefier center speaker that I lucked into and a powered sub.  Currently I use it as a 3.1 setup as rears would be hard to incorporate into my living room.  So my questions are:

1. This system would be primarily for music.  But could I also incorporate it into my home theater setup, and if so, should I?  I'd like to use the Epiphonies for my front left and right, powered by the Khartago, and leave the center and sub (if necessary) to my Onkyo receiver.  I'm pretty sure my receiver has pre-outs, which I think is what I'd need to send the front left and right signals to the Odyssey amp, right?  So how would the wiring for this work?  Would this sound bad?  Do you need any more info?  FYI, I could see myself getting the proper additions to have a good HT setup with the Odyssey down the line (like some additional amps and a digital processor), but simply can't afford it right now.

2. Are the Epiphonies magnetically shielded?  And does that even matter anymore with the advent of LCD TV's (which I have).

3. Some may find this question insulting if not stupid, but please humor me!  Would it be possible to describe what the extra money spent on an Etesian/Khartago combo gets me versus a plain old humble stereo receiver from a reputable outfit.  Harmon Kardon makes one that sells for less than $300 on Amazon and I hear nothing but accolades about that Harmon.  Outlaw Audio sells one for $599 and they seem to be held in high regard.  So what's the main difference?  Is it quality of construction/parts?  Engineering design?  Will the difference in sound quality be obvious and mind-blowing (assuming the same speakers - Epiphonies)?

[Haoleb]

In reponse to your first question, If it were me I would just use the two stereo speakers only for movies. Your front speakers wont sound the same as the rest of them which will sound off. Secondly, You can get really stellar movie performance with just a 2 channel system. Although you will be missing out on the surround and the sub, I think you'll find its not really any less enjoyable.

I do not know if the speakers are sheilded but you dont need to worry about that with an LCD tv. The only display you need to worry about magnetic shielding is with CRT's

[Zero]

Slow_Down,

Just so you know, the Epiphanies have been replaced with an entirely new speaker (the Epiphany II). Klaus seems incredibly proud of this monitor - which I've been told will be shipping very soon (perhaps even now!). I am not positive as to how this will influence the price structure of this affordable system - but I'd imagine an increase should be expected.

As for your questions; I'm afraid I cannot provide 100% answers.

[SamA]

I love my Etesian, Khartago, and Nightingale setup. The two things I would do different, if I could do it again:

1) Have a line out to feed my subwoofer

2) Have a headphone jack

I'd still like to figure out how to add headpphones to my system. I'm planning to move to a condo situation and, I fear, my appreciation for LOUD will not be appreciated by neighbors.

BTW, I use the phono preamp in a Yamaha R-70 to drive the Etesian and I can't believe the sound I get.

[djbnh]

I'd still like to figure out how to add headpphones to my system. I'm planning to move to a condo situation and, I fear, my appreciation for LOUD will not be appreciated by neighbors.

Use a dedicated headphone amp, if your system permits. (Too lazy to research the configuration of the outputs of the Etesian - sorry!  ) There's tons of them on the market, you can get numerous, and conflicting opinions on Head-Fi headphone amp forum.

As an aside, if the Etesian only has a single set of outputs, you could do the RCA Y-connector thing, although my gut tells me you'd probably get a lessening of audio quality to your line- and head-amps. I don't know if Klaus can add a second set of outputs to the Etesian (for example, my Tempest has 2 sets of outputs), so I bow to his knowledge set and suggest you converse with the man himself.

Happy Listening!

[slow_down]

Thanks for the replies.  As far as using as part of my home theater setup, I know it would be far from "ideal", but will probably try it anyway.  I'm so used to having that center channel, and worry that for everywhere except the sweet spot, that the lack of a center would make movies sound weird.  Will certainly try it out in stereo first to give it a chance.

Also, does anyone know if the Etesian is remote-capable?  If not, can I upgrade to a remote?  And the lack of a headphone port!  There's so many little features that I take for granted that aren't here!  I guess that's how Klaus keeps the price down for such a well regarded system.  Just gives me more to think about before I decide on what to purchase.

[Bigfish]

Slow-Down

I went back to one of your earlier post to learn about your system and goals.  I would like to try and address your question concerning connections required to use the new equipment for HT Playback.  For HT you will have to use the Onkyo HT receiver to drive the center channel speaker and to send the L & R speaker signal to your new amp.  I purchased a Candela Preamp from Klaus and it has an HT bypass.  Thus it allows me to connect ICs from my HT receiver (Denon 3806) to the Candela Preamp.  Thus, when I look at movies the Candela is set to HT bypass and the signal from the Denon HT Receiver goes directly to the amps to drive the L and R Main Speakers.  The Denon also powers the center channel, subwoofer, and rear speakers. 

My set-up is as follows:

2 Channel Rig:

Analog Modded S3 connected by ICs to Candela Preamp connected by ICs to Mono SE Amps connected to Timepiece Speakers by Reality SC.


HT Rig

Samsung Blu Ray optically connected to Denon 3806 AVR and HDMI connected to Pioneer Plasma.  ICs connected from Denon AVR to Candela Preamp which is connected by ICs to the Mono SEs to the L & R main channels.  Center Channel Speaker, 2 rear speakers and subwoofer are connected to the appropriate terminals on the Denon AVR.

There may be better was to accomplish a decent dual purpose system but the above works well for me.  The Denon and Blu Ray Player are only used when I want to play movies.  A simple change of selector switch on the Candela and I good to go.

Ken

[slow_down]

Thanks Bigfish.  I should have replied sooner on this thread, as I figured out a little while ago that without a HT bypass, my Etesian won't allow me to use both my HT receiver and Khartago amp together.  I've come to decide that my HT receiver is so crappy and my satellite speakers so tiny and my subwoofer so ugly that I should simply put them all in storage or sell them. 

I'm gonna try as Haoleb suggested and just listen to TV and DVD's using 2 channel sound for now.  Later on down the road I can figure out way to incorporate my Odyssey equipment into a nice HT setup with a HT receiver or processor and extra amps.  But for now I think 'm happy to keep things simple.

[oakleaf]

Hello everyone, first time poster here.  I'm thinking about buying Odyssey's budget system (Etesian, Khartago and Epiphonies) and have some questions I hope you guys could help with.  This would be my first higher-end audio setup.  I currently have a very cheap Onkyo 5.1 receiver and a very decent Polk sat/sub system with an upgraded beefier center speaker that I lucked into and a powered sub.  Currently I use it as a 3.1 setup as rears would be hard to incorporate into my living room.  So my questions are:

1. This system would be primarily for music.  But could I also incorporate it into my home theater setup, and if so, should I?  I'd like to use the Epiphonies for my front left and right, powered by the Khartago, and leave the center and sub (if necessary) to my Onkyo receiver.  I'm pretty sure my receiver has pre-outs, which I think is what I'd need to send the front left and right signals to the Odyssey amp, right?  So how would the wiring for this work?  Would this sound bad?  Do you need any more info?  FYI, I could see myself getting the proper additions to have a good HT setup with the Odyssey down the line (like some additional amps and a digital processor), but simply can't afford it right now.

Yes you can incorporate into your HT setup, if you have pre-outs on your HT Receiver.  First, set up Klaus's budget system like you normally would.  Then go from FR and FL "pre-out" on your HT Receiver to "HT in" on the Etesion.  When playing HT select "HT" with the Source knob on HT and set the Volume to max.  The video FL and FR is now controlled by your HT Receiver volume control and the Etesian just acts as a pass-through to the Khartago which is now driving the Epiphonies as your FL and FR.  Run an HT setup DVD like Avia to set your levels accurately.  REMEMBER: Readjust volume on the Etesian prior to switching over to another source!  And get a great quality CD source to match this system.

2. Are the Epiphonies magnetically shielded?  And does that even matter anymore with the advent of LCD TV's (which I have).

The Epiphonies probably are not shielded but you are correct, it does not matter with LCD TV's.  In fact, it does not matter with any TV except for CRTs.

3. Some may find this question insulting if not stupid, but please humor me!  Would it be possible to describe what the extra money spent on an Etesian/Khartago combo gets me versus a plain old humble stereo receiver from a reputable outfit.  Harmon Kardon makes one that sells for less than $300 on Amazon and I hear nothing but accolades about that Harmon.  Outlaw Audio sells one for $599 and they seem to be held in high regard.  So what's the main difference?  Is it quality of construction/parts?  Engineering design?  Will the difference in sound quality be obvious and mind-blowing (assuming the same speakers - Epiphonies)?

Not a dumb question.  The difference in sound quality for music would be significant, IMO.  The Khartago has a warm and sweet, laid back, easy on your ears, high-end sound, with a nice sound stage and presence.  Good HT Receivers like Outlaw tend to more forward and in-your-face.  Great for things such as blast-offs in the movie Apollo 13, but not as nice as when listening to Alison Kraus!

Finally, HT in stereo sucks!  I absolutely love my Odyssey budget system.  Why not do both?  Get the budget system and a decent HT Receiver like Outlaw?  I have a decent NAD HT Receiver, and it drives the center and rear surrounds.  Even with the "not perfect" timbre match between the center and the fronts, the surround is awesome!  Better than just stereo.

[BobC]

My 2 cents...

I also kept my HT rig (Rotel RSP 1066 and a stack of B&K / Rotel amps) for HT.  I use the pre out to send the front channel signals to my Candela in HT bypass.  When I want to listen to music I use the Candela of course eliminating all of the Rotel circuitry.  Works great for me.  The Rotel does a great job on movies but it's stereo pre-amp section does not perform nearly as well as the Candela by itself.  I suspect any Odyssey gear would smoke the Onkyo or HK....but you will never know for yourself unless you try.

I'm more critical of music vs movies, also HT tech changes fast...so I choose to spend my $$$ on a killer 2ch set up and keep my HT low / mid fi.

I think I put this in an earlier post....but the benefits of a dedicated 2 ch pre are not small.  The big thing I noticed was that I did not have to turn the volume up as high to get a 3D image and soundstage.  That's a big deal because I have a 2 year old at home who goes to bed at 8pm!  Plus all of the usual flowery words.... better clarity, dynamics, imaging, texture, etc etc.  It just sounds a lot better...'nuff said.

Reco you put your money where your pleasure is.  From your post I think I'd keep your Onkyo (assuming it has pre outs ) and use a pre with HT by-pass for 2CH (not sure if the Etesian has HT bypass or not).  Later, if you decide to upgrade your HT you can do it without fear of messing up your stereo, i.e. search for the best low / mid fi receiver based only on HT processing, etc.

Hope this helps.

Cheers! 

[slow_down]

Well my system shipped out today, and it ended up evolving into a new Khartago, a used (trade-in) Tempest, and used (also trade-in) Nightingales.  I'm pretty excited.  Got an SB3 and a bolder modded elpac power supply a couple weeks ago and have already ripped 150 of my favorite cd's to FLAC.  Hopefully in a day or two I'll be able to start listening!

Also, I decided to place my stereo setup in a different area from my TV, so am leaving my home theater setup alone for now, but thanks for all the suggestions everyone!