[Haoleb]

Not that im thinking of buying the Portal, But considering that both offer very good amps for very affordable which do you think would be better overall? The odyssey Stratos or even Khartago with cap upgrade offers more capacitance and MUCH  more current output, while the paladin has a higher wattage. (so what I want current)

From the specs Id say odyssey kicks ass in every category. Makes me wonder what Stereophile would have to say if they got their hands on say, a pair of extreme mono stratos. Im sure for Klaus it would be horrible because he would be backorderd for years.

[DMi]

I was sort of thinking of writing the folks at TAS.

It has been years since they reviewed a Stratos which has improved markedly since it was first reviewed and garnered a good review then. They gushed over the Paladin and I would love to see the guy open up the Stratos Mono or Extreme and drool in it. The Paladin didn't look nearly so beefy on the inside as a Stratos and I was left wondering if it runs as cool as my old stereo Stratos Plus.

The Stratos has been around a while but you make some great points about the differences in current capacity and quality of parts in general. Since Klaus doesn't advertise with them I'm not holding my breath for a review but I would certainly like to see a shoot out. Bet we know what might happen.

Doug Sharp

[lazydays]

I was sort of thinking of writing the folks at TAS.

It has been years since they reviewed a Stratos which has improved markedly since it was first reviewed and garnered a good review then. They gushed over the Paladin and I would love to see the guy open up the Stratos Mono or Extreme and drool in it. The Paladin didn't look nearly so beefy on the inside as a Stratos and I was left wondering if it runs as cool as my old stereo Stratos Plus.

The Stratos has been around a while but you make some great points about the differences in current capacity and quality of parts in general. Since Klaus doesn't advertise with them I'm not holding my breath for a review but I would certainly like to see a shoot out. Bet we know what might happen.

Doug Sharp

actually there is another small problem in getting a great review from these guys. The rather long break in time may also cause a problem. My two monos were still ever so slightly changing even after 400+ hours of usage. But if they were to get their hands on a well broken in pair there might be another story, but worse yet some rather teed off advertisers (I'm thinking Krell here).
     Laying on my very grubby sofa (bought new amps instead) is an old review of an Accuphase 250 watt mono bloc amp (year 2000 I think). I quite familure with the "Accuphase sound", and see a few of the same sound qualities in both. And the Accuphase will just plain cook a Krell mono bloc anyday of the week. I've heard many high powered solid state amps over the years, and my two favorites are the Stratos Eztreme mono blocs and the Accuphase. I've never heard the Plinius or the Aragons, but think these four amps make up a large segment of the top of the heap.
gary

[Haoleb]

What im somewhat surprised about is that Stereophile reviewed the paladin, Even though it doesnt seem like they have much of a real presence. Not many reviews etc. Not that im dissapointed that Stereophile is trying to review products besides the mainstream. But I would like to see something in their pages from the likes of Odyssey or Axiom Audio. Theres always the thought that it could end up being a bad review. But considering that ive hardly ever read a bad review, and that both of these companies offer superb service,products and at superb prices its pretty much not going to happen.

Of couse the plethora of reviews of these products (odyssey and axiom) speak praises. The fact is that most people who buy new audio gear probbably wouldnt give them a really cut and dried review anyway. Afterall who wants to sing praise about the stuff they are getting only to get it and find out it sucks. Someone with a non biased opinion who had heard tons of other gear as well would boost these brands into super stardome provided they recieve a rave review.

I think people are tired of the mass market. They dont want a product that has just been stamped into shape on an assembly line and the only thing that seperates it from the thousands of its clones are its serial number. This is why folks can really appreciate what companies like Odyssey does because it gives them the personal approach and thats something alot of people do, and should look for. With Odyssey's case being able to speak with the person who actually owns the company and knows these products inside and out is a real plus. Theres no salesman trying to talk you into something that he doesnt even know the first thing about just to make a sale.  Im sure Klaus could just start throwing together amps and keeping a stock, biasing them all to a generic level and as soon as an order comes in, out goes the premade product. But he chooses to take the extra time to give his customers the best product he can. Its worth it doing buisness with people who actually Care!


wow.. that went a little Off topic. Oh well. had to be said.