Stratos and B&W Nautilus 802

alex_odyssey_sg · « **on:** 20 Sep 2004, 03:08 am »

Hi,

We have an audition with the Stratos and Nautilus 802 yesterday. The full system consist of:

Arcam 192 CDP
Arcam AV amp
Stratos Mono
B&W Nautilus 802 (with Groneberg power cord)
Audioquest cables

First of all, everybody in the audition agreed that there is a good synergy between the Stratos and Nautilus 802. It was a warm sounding partnership. The mids and highs are really sweet. The bass was hard and fast. And at some points, the music even gave me goosebumps. And in my humble opinion, the system must be doing something right in order to engage the emotional side and give me goosebumps.

On the down side, there wasn't enough power cos on some complex and dynamic pieces, it sounded a little recess. But on simple pieces (vocals, small band) the lack of power was not obvious. Anyway, I expected this to happen having spoken to the B&W sales guy. Therefore, I would definitely recommend the Mono EXTREMES. Better still if you can run the 802 in bi-amp configuration. And even that, 4 Mono Extremes is still cheaper than the 802!

After 2 hours of hard auditioning...we were not in the least fatigue and could probably go on for another few hours. This is definitely a amp-speaker combination that I could live with in my house (unfortunately, the 802 is simply too huge a monster for my room).

Whatever, it is...I know we experienced a piece of hifi heaven yesterday. Simply beautiful.

Anyhow, this is my experience with this combination. I was just wondering if anyone has any experiences to share with the Stratos-Nautilus combo...

Best Regards,

Alex

amartincool · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Sep 2004, 06:36 am »

Alex Nice review.

I will be able to helping you soon

1.- I got monos extreme as set demo
2.-I have a potential customer interested in B&W802

We can see how much sinergy and if stratos extreme mono is enough.
I have a friend with B&W803, we will make an audition too.
I heard a B&W805 monitors with my old stratos plus, the music flew calid, warm, and smooth.
For B&W802 Other idea could be just use Khartago monos and xtreme monos, cheaper and could be nice.

As far as I have used, my mono extreme and tempest extreme has not been burned it , only 9 days of not stoping working, but they make an excellent sinergy with Dynaudio Contour s3.4 too, a 4 Ohms 88 db speaker demanding current.
No problem, rising the volume to insane levels in pieces as Marte, from the album The Planet from Gustav Holtz, no congestion in any part.
The sound movietrack from gladiator and I thought the cones went to break!.
It is still not totally the smooth and warm sound I remember from my old stratos plus, but now is really close to that , Know i have to wait the full period of burning in.

I will let you know guys any update about audiotions with Nautilus.

Best Regards

Alfonso martín
Odyssey Audio España

alex_odyssey_sg · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Sep 2004, 08:09 am »

Hi Alfonso,

To be honest, I really don't think the Khartago Monos will be good enough to drive the 802. At low and normal listening levels and 'simple' music passages will be ok. But at high volume and dynamic pieces, the Khartago mono will sound recess. I am quite sure of that. Therefore, the Mono Extremes will be ideal. Better still if you can use 4 Mono Extremes to bi-amp the 802.

Really...the combination sounded really really good. The B&W sales guy also made the same comment because he had heard quite a few combinations (e.g. Krell, Mark Levinson, Bryston, etc) already. The music is absolutely captivating in a subtle kind of way. Very refine and engaging. The warmness of the vocals (mid-range) is very natural sounding. More importantly, it's non-fatigue. Haha...after the audition, I keep thinking about what I heard. It's that good...

But you must run in your Mono Extremes first before you audition the 802 because they are very sensitive.

Good Luck! Looking forward to seeing your review.

Alex

amartincool · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Sep 2004, 08:23 am »

Alex

Yes I understand what is that non fatigue sound, it is not got yet in my xtreme monos but it is in the way.
I will wait, it deserves the time to deliver the full sonic performance Extreme has inside.

I did not said to drive the B&W802 only with khartago monos, just said biamplfy using khartagos only for tweter. and xtreme for medium and bass.

Good luck to you too

Alfonso

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Sep 2004, 04:03 pm »

Quote from: alex_odyssey_sg

Hi Alfonso,

To be honest, I really don't think the Khartago Monos will be good enough to drive the 802. At low and normal listening levels and 'simple' music passages will be ok. But at high volume and dynamic pieces, the Khartago mono will sound recess.

My two cents here:

Khartago mono in numbers is bigger/better than a Stratos 120, here in Mexico a review used the Stratos 120 with some realy hard to drive Apogee speakers and all the details, dynamics were well resolved, so I think that maybe not as good as a pair of Stratos monos but the Khartagos will do a good job at it's price point.

Odyssey amplifiers are very flexible and match fine with many products.

Digi-G · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Sep 2004, 06:30 pm »

I'm running the Stereo Stratos Extreme with a pair of B&W Nautilus 805's with very good results. My system does double duty Music & H/T. Since the 805's are the smallest (bookshelf) speakers in the Nautilus line, I also have a Velodyne sub hooked in.

I wasn't sure if I would hear the extended bass difference with the 805's that everyone hears after adding the Stratos since they roll off around 45-50Hz, but the bass does sound fuller and deeper (thru the 805's) than before. I'm sure full range speakers would benefit even more.

alex_odyssey_sg · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Sep 2004, 03:23 am »

Digi G,

How would you describe the mid-high and highs for your system (stereo extreme and 805)? Given that they are using the same tweeter...I suppose your combo should have a 'similar' (but obviously smaller) sound vs Mono Pair and 802. Comments?

Alex

alex_odyssey_sg · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Sep 2004, 03:26 am »

Quote from: amartincool

just said biamplfy using khartagos only for tweter. and xtreme for medium and bass.

Yes...you are right! that is definitely an option. Spot on!

hagar · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Sep 2004, 01:38 pm »

I`m running the Khatargo monos with Infinity RS II B loudspeakers.The monos can handle them very good although it is a very current-hungry speaker.Impedance goes down to nearly 2 Ohm.
I think I will buy a second pair of monos in the future to biamp.
Very good match!

amartincool · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Sep 2004, 02:39 pm »

Yesterday night my xtreme I guess my odyssey mono xtreme and tempest have entered into the break in 3erd stage, because Stacey kent sounded fantastic!
Also the Four seasons from Vivaldi by the Bizantine Accademy was so fresh, you know, it is a really different interpretation, with some variations, an excellent cd, and was an emotional experience to hear with the extreme the "presto" of the summer. Yes, I was literally crying hearing that...

Know this has not anything to be with 802, but because I was talking about the breaking in I have decided to include here.

Best Regards everybody

Alfonso

Digi-G · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Sep 2004, 05:55 pm »

Alex,

I guess I would describe the tweeter as slightly laid back. It's definitely not rude by any means and sounds good with most music. To my ears it may be missing a bit of 'air', but I'm not sure if that's a function of the tweeter or something else (like my Pioneer DVD player or my carpeted room).

Tambourines and Cybals sound like they are in the room with you (esp. Rubber Soul era Beatles stuff, for example).

I also had just a slight bit of sibilance, but was able to tame that with my Rane EQ.

Q_surf · « **Reply #11 on:** 22 Sep 2004, 11:08 pm »

Just ordered a pair of Odyssey Monoblocks (used) which should arrive next week. Powering the VMPS RM40 monsters so I am hoping and expecting some pretty sounds. Sounds like I may want to send them in for an Extreme makeover at a later date...

alex_odyssey_sg · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Sep 2004, 04:17 am »

Digi G,

The highs are certainly not forward. But I wouldn't exactly say it's laidback. But the midrange is certainly warm-sounding. Voices are very natural.

IMHO, 802 is very sensitive to accompanying equipment...Have you tried with another CDP (other than your Pioneer DVD). All due respect to your Pioneer DVD...that may be the weakest link in your system.

When we auditioned, we were using an AV pre-amp, which i think is the weakness. But all in all, the overall presentation is very good...like I said, something I could live with in my house...

Alex

amartincool · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Sep 2004, 06:34 am »

Alex

Let me give my opinion, not only as dealer of Odyssey in Spain, also as a customer that has been using an AV receiver as preamplifier.

I was using a SONY STR DA7ES 120W peer channel av receiver Flag Ship top of the models SOny to Pre amplifiy the system.

I was happy with my combination, but one day I could hear a System than made me realice I could hear better the music.

I tried changing the preamplifier section from the reciever to a Stereo only high end Preamplifier, and you will not find any ata the price of the Tempest.

Preamplifier section is almost as important IMO as Amplifier section, the cahnge is dramatic to a more natural and rich sound, warmer fullier and "bodier"
, with more body.

So, this is my personal experience and a general opinion.

About your dvd maybe too, altough in my opinion the changes are less important than with a receiver, even you could try a tube cd, they deliver a really natural and like analogic sound, and you will not have to think in expend the money in expenses tube preamplifier if you love the valvles, also this solid state pre can me mactched into a home cinema system with the by-pass function.

Best Regards

Alfonso Martín

alex_odyssey_sg · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 Sep 2004, 04:20 pm »

Alfonso,

I absolutely agree with you on all your points!

In my showroom, I am using the Xindak SCD2 (review: http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue9/xindak.htm). It's a redbook CD and SACD player with tube output!

It certainly works very well with the Odyssey amps and speakers.

Alex

Digi-G · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 Sep 2004, 06:26 pm »

Aah yes. A tubed CD player.

Yes, the Pioneer DVD is probably the weak link in my system (w/ the Denon 3300 receiver following closely behind). I was considering having the player mod'd via Modwright, but they've suddenly dropped all of their Pioneer mods. So now I'm considering a tubed CD player.

Keep in mind that I have the B&W 805's and not the 802's. I would call the midrange of the 805s smooth (and detailed), but not sure if I consider them warm.

alex_odyssey_sg · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 08:05 am »

Digi G,

Fast solution on your receiver. Get the Etesian pre-amp!! It has HT bypass. It's really cheap (oops...cheap is a bad word) and good. Sounds very open...

There are limited tube CDP around. Those that I heard and regard as decent buys:

- Audio Aero Prima 24/102
- Shanling SCD T100 or T200
- Xindak SCD2

Note: I play turntables...so I will not spend ridiculous amount on a CDP...

Digi-G · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 01:22 pm »

Alex,
Thanks for the suggestions. I am considering an H/T bypass option and I'll make a note of the tubed CD players you listed. Of course budget is everything, so I have to bide my time as to which updates I do first. Ive been considering the CD player for a while mostly because a) my CD collection heavily outweighs my DVD collection and b) because it's a source component, I THINK I would get the bigger sonic benefit.

ctviggen · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Sep 2004, 02:16 pm »

Another tube CDP is a ShengYa CD 10:

https://www.nysound.com/

I compared this to my Proceed AVP as DtoA, with my Pioneer Elite as transport. I couldn't tell the difference, so I'm using the ShengYa in my second system. I could tell the difference between my Pioneer Elite as CDP/DtoA and the Proceed AVP as DtoA. The Proceed AVP was better.

KJ · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Sep 2004, 03:59 pm »

Alfonso,

I was curious if you felt the Mono Extremes got everything out of the N802s or if you believe they still require biamping.

-KJ