[chgww]

I am ready to purchase the Epiphony speaker and an Odyssey amp.   I currently have an NAD C320bee integrated amp that can work as just a pre-amp.  My question is should I better buy the Khartago and use it with the NAD(pre) or the Cyclops and connect it direct to the source?  Which configuration will give better sound??  Or should I leave room for upgrading pre-amp by purchasing the Khartago?

Help much appreciated..!!

[DMi]

If you're an upgrade-aholic like my self use the NAD as a pre-amp for a bit and go for the amplifer in the most extreme version you can afford. The other choice is going to more highly dependant on the source and less flexable when you get the fever to do something else.

As Klaus states and I have learned with many mistakes and lots of upgrades, it's about the synergy! He also says "it's about the current" and in my opinion he is correct on both counts.

Doug Sharp

[chgww]

If you're an upgrade-aholic like my self use the NAD as a pre-amp for a bit and go for the amplifer in the most extreme version you can afford. The other choice is going to more highly dependant on the source and less flexable when you get the fever to do something else.

As Klaus states and I have learned with many mistakes and lots of upgrades, it's about the synergy! He also says "it's about the current" and in my opinion he is correct on both counts.

Doug Sharp

Thanks for the reply.  I forgot to mention that the NADc320 is an entry level integrated so I worry its pre-amp maybe low quality, which may waste the Khartago's good sound. 

And I wonder if higher level amp (stratos/plus) sounds any different from Khartago when powering the little epiphony?  (I probably will not upgrade the speaker in short term)

[mtodde]

In my experience the amp section of most integrateds is much better than the pre-amp section.  You may get better results by upgrading the pre first and the power amp later.

[john1970]

I would also recommend upgrading the amp to the Odyssey amp of your choice and go with the best one you can afford.
 
Recently I auditioned my NAD C372 against another much larger amp and preamp combo (not an Odyssey, but another well-respected manufacturer that offers a 20 year warranty).  Switching between the two amps and using the NAD as a preamp made a large improvement in the clarity of the midrange and deepness of the bass.  Switching preamps made some slight improvements, but to my ears the most significant improvements came from changing out the amplifiers.

Also buying a used preamp is a very safe bet.  They contain no moving parts and do not generate a lot of heat.  Hence, their lifetime should be many years of trouble-free service.

Just noting my observation.

Good luck,

John

[mtodde]

Also buying a used preamp is a very safe bet.  They contain no moving parts and do not generate a lot of heat.  Hence, their lifetime should be many years of trouble-free service.

This is good advice.  You can get a great deal on a used Audio Research pre that still sounds great.

[Soundbitten]

I think you can use almost any reasonably good preamp with the Odyssey amps and you'll be satisfied until you decide to upgrade . I've used both ss & tube preamps and it's shined with both .They have the ability to transcend , IMHO .

[chgww]

Thanks all.  Actually I have both the NAD C320bee and C372.  So now I think I will sell the C372 and use the C320's pre-amp section to connect the Khartago.