Husker,
Just call me to discuss in detail 317 299 5578.
I'll have to post a really long response here in the next couple of days in order to explain the differences over the years, and why this project is so special......
First off, looking at Al's pics, only the first one is the final product, in his room. The others were shot when the amps were still in the burn-in rack at the shop.
Quick note though: I have compared head to head several high end amps in the past couple of years with my trusted Kismet internals that I used as my reference for several years and even had at the shows....again, Khartago, Stratos, etc. , the cases are just that, metal. Kismet and SE's etc. are internals, and it's all interchangeable.
Anyway, I have had Soulutions, CH', ARC's references, 50 K + Simm Moon's, $ 80 K Halcro's, 40 K Pass Labs, and several others in my room. My amps, with the 850 VA big momma transformers and the 35 K hyper caps were definitely on eye level with these mostly superb amps, and maybe even bettering them at least in certain areas of emotion, sound staging, and overall "rightness", if that makes sense...now, the ARC's were the only amps where the A/B test clearly favored them over mine....as for the other comparisons ??? Every one of the guys bought the Kismet's...and the guy with the Soulution monos actually ordered 11 pcs !!!!!!!!!!! ( 7 for his main system, 2 for his summer house, and 2 spares, just in case. And all of that was still wayyyy less than half of his monos)
So, my point is that these older reference amps that I had tweaked out are phenomenal. Put a price tag on them ???? Definitely not 7 - 8 K that I'm selling them for............
So, I had Al's amps in my system for about 5 days for listening sessions, biasing point research, etc. I put them into the main system with the Symphonic Line Erleuchtung pre, the VPI Avenger ref. direct, Graham Signature arm, and the DS Audio Master Sig cartridge and phono units. Speakers in my big rig are the big 4.1 Raidhos........ This is a supremely competent system to detect differences in the amps.
Bottom line: the new project just spanked my trusted references big time...took them behind the shed and left it bleeding. The new project is so superior, I was stunned. It's always hard to convey differences in words, no matter what. I'm doing this for 38 years now, actually being in the 1 percentile of seniority in this industry, and I learned that in most cases (not all !!!!!) money can buy you an amazing improvement in sound quality. There is such a thing of luxury sound that comes with a price. These new amps have that feel and performance of a luxury item. I have no idea as how to grade the improvements. Let's just say that it is MASSIVE !!!! They are building upon the Kismet's and then surpass them with ease in every single regard.....
Differences to the Kismet's ??? There are quite a few...Board, special power supply regulation boards, changes on the boards them selves, change over to different transistors, super expensive German mymetal trannies, improved German Symphonic Line caps, improved cabling, newly designed main board, etc.
So, what to do with these beauties ????
I will announce a new company here shortly...It's been in the works for over 5 years, but then came Irina's cancer and Covid, and it all went to the back burner. However, it's time as I have these amps, new top line speakers and other projects to be introduced soon....speakers and amps will be shown at the Capfest in November.
The new company is: Meilenstein by Odyssey. Meilenstein will be our more expensive high end...think in terms of Toyota / Lexus.
But then there's the question of : what about my amps...can I upgrade or trade them in for the new ones ??? Yes, of course. I have already quite a few pairs in the book by now and many more interested. Upgrades / trade ins have to be handled on a one on one basis. However, with Meilenstein, there will be a new look to it as well, of course, and yes, after hearing these babies, I'm pretty big on the 4 case outboard PS's, which I'll have to offer in one way or the other. It's just too good.
Pricing ??? Still have to get quotes for the very expensive parts for volume orders...(caps will run me close to $ 90. each...trannies are nearly $ 600. each !!!!!!!!!!!! You get what you pay for) and since a lot of parts are sourced from Germany, the %^$&^$%^#@^%$^&*%)( tariffs are driving me nuts.
As for specs: as usual, I don't give too much credence to that, but figure the same neighborhood of the Kismet in Extreme versions ( 5-10 W Class A. But the awesome thing with SL designs is that when the amps go into AB, the switch is absolutely, 100 % inaudible and ultra smooth). Won't change too much except that these new amps feel and sound much more powerful. However, as for channel separation and quietness, I don't even have to bother measuring this...it is that obvious.
So, then what did I actually hear that is better ??? First of all, keep in mind that the amps were only a few days old when I listened to them....Break-in should be pretty much the same insane, stupid long period. I don't see a reason why this will be different. But I also know that the amps change sooooooooo much, it is impossible to predict as to how good they'll actually end up sounding. Scarily good, think I.
So, what did I hear then ??? The first and most obvious differences you can hear immediately is the ultra black background and associated imaging. It's spooky how voices and images come out of nowhere. The image outlines and decay of instruments is superb....again, referencing my point earlier: there is such a thing of luxury sound and expensive immersion. The amps hit this part perfectly. The piano decays are to die for. Goosebumps ? check. Dynamics ??? Oh yes. Control ??? Yup. And then some.
And , again ....just a few days old. Bettering my references of years. By a mile.
That's it for now...Apologies for rambling on. It's 9 am and I worked alll night, am super tired, t and have to get some sleep.
Good night !!!
