[Lkdog]

Am picking up a recent version used Stratos Plus with redboard and cap upgrade in the next week.

What is the impression of those who have upgraded to the Stratos Stereo Extreme version?

Need to stay in one case so this is the path I would choose versus going to monoblocks right now. Maybe down the road someday. 
It would add a second transformer and there is a cap upgrade among other things from what I can tell.
Will be powering some bigger monitors that seem to like and benefit from power (ACI Jaguars).

Second question-is there any issue with transformer hum or hum in these amps?
Got some feedback from another user that this can be the case with Stratos amps so I was
wondering if adding another transformer exacerbated any noise if that is an issue.

Thanks for any input or feedback.



 

[bunky]

Am picking up a recent version used Stratos Plus with redboard and cap upgrade in the next week.

What is the impression of those who have upgraded to the Stratos Stereo Extreme version?

Need to stay in one case so this is the path I would choose versus going to monoblocks right now. Maybe down the road someday. 
It would add a second transformer and there is a cap upgrade among other things from what I can tell.
Will be powering some bigger monitors that seem to like and benefit from power (ACI Jaguars).

Second question-is there any issue with transformer hum or hum in these amps?
Got some feedback from another user that this can be the case with Stratos amps so I was
wondering if adding another transformer exacerbated any noise if that is an issue.

Thanks for any input or feedback.



 

A good friend of mine over @ the Club Polk forum owned a highly regarded Belles 350A power amplifier.  without me knowing he bought a used Stratos stereo extreme version on Agon to check out the Sonic signature of the Odyssey amplifiers that i kept telling him about. two days later the Belles 350A was up for sale on the forum flea market and i asked him what was up? the 350A is a very good amplifier George why are you selling it ? he confessed that he bought a used Stratos stereo extreme and compared the Stereo extreme to the 350A and that he found the Odyssey Amplifier to be superior to the 350A and he added that even his wife commented that his two channel rig sounded much better than it ever had before. to make a long story short my friend George now has a pair of Hot Rodded mono extremes on order from my friend Mr Klaus Bunge. thanks....WCW III

[Lkdog]

Thanks Bunky-

That is encouraging.

Any thouhgts on any noise issues in certain setups?

[bunky]

Thanks Bunky-

That is encouraging.

Any thoughts on any noise issues in certain setups?

i am not aware of any noise issues regarding any of the Odyssey power amplifiers. call Klaus and tell him what other gear you are using . he has a extensive database based on what gear his customers are using or have used in the past in conjuction with the Odyssey Amplifiers and he will be truthful and honest and give you his opinion based on the gear that you are using. i am running a pair Odyssey Extreme SE monoblocks with four top shelf Plitron toroidal transformers total and a Candela tube preamplifier and the background is as Black as can be and is totally free of noise.Thanks....WCW III

[dangerbird]

I'm running an AI M-3,thru the stratos that WCW mentioned and I do not have any noise issues, BTW,also used a Dodd Elp and an AI L-1 with the stratos and again, no issues

[Eugene2]

Have a pair of the hot rodded Mono Extreme SE, my Candela is on it's way I can't wait.  All into the latest VMPS RM30M with outboard crossovers.

[Lkdog]

Thanks for the info guys. I am leaning toward getting the upgrade. Lots of headroom is always nice and it is good to hear that noise and hum is typically not an issue in most setups. I do realize that can vary with setups.


Ok, last question for now. Bear with me as an Odyssey newbie. 

I am looking for a nice tube preamp to pair with the Stratos.
Have been looking at the Audio Mirror PP1, and a few others in the 6-950$ range.

The Candela sounds interesting, but I am not sure where to find info on it and it looks like it might be out of price range.

Any tube preamp/Stratos combos that people really like?

Am also open to SS preamp suggestions, but am kind of interested in trying tubes in the mix.

Thanks again for any help.

[George]

look here:

http://www.armonia-avm.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=175

[denjo]

Reading the specs i did not find any info of the volume pot. Is the stock volume pot an Alps or Shallco? Can a custom TKD or Dact attenuator be requested? The 14 dB gain looks sensible and should be good for pairing with most amplifiers?

Best Regards
Dennis

[Eugene2]

Think you should go ahead and wait on a Candela.  It is fabulous!

[bunky]

Thanks for the info guys. I am leaning toward getting the upgrade. Lots of headroom is always nice and it is good to hear that noise and hum is typically not an issue in most setups. I do realize that can vary with setups.


Ok, last question for now. Bear with me as an Odyssey newbie. 

I am looking for a nice tube preamp to pair with the Stratos.
Have been looking at the Audio Mirror PP1, and a few others in the 6-950$ range.

The Candela sounds interesting, but I am not sure where to fnd info on it and it lokk slik eit might be out of price range.

Any tube preamp/Stratos combos that people really like?

Am also open to SS preamp suggestions, but am kind of interested in trying tubes in the mix.

Thanks again for any help.

Alex G @ Odyssey designed and voiced the new Candela tube preamplifier using a pair of Odyssey mono extreme SE's and when i compared it to my Balanced Audio Technology VK 3i i could not believe how much faster ,clearer and more detailed the Candela was than my VK 3i. if i were you i would save my money and get the new Candela.

[bpape]

That's the general impression the Candela gave me.  It was fast and tight like a SS pre but had the mids and top end sweetness of a tube unit.

Bryan

[DMi]

I am in wait mode also moving from Stereo Plus to Extreme Monos. Everything I have heard so far from everyone supports my upgrade choice and Klaus just asked my budget and directed me to the best choice he has for me.

My plot is to replace the Stereo Plus with the Extreme monoblocs, then drag in the Stereo for an upgrade to be a three channel to drive the rears and center when I do surround. All of it's on order but I wasn't smart enough to get it in before the show.

I've been using the Stratos Plus since November 2001 and loving it. Just had to get the extra umpth for the Maggies. Should be sweet... I am sure you're going to love the upgrade.

Thanks,

Doug Sharp

[Lkdog]

Would love to do the Mono Extremes someday.
Need to stay in one case and the Stratos Stereo Extreme seem to be the most power one can get in one case
unless you find a dual mono unit out there used (Klaus says they do not make those anymore).

Just need to find the right tube preamp now within my budget.

[Fenomeno]

I hope it's not too late to respond as I know decisions regarding Klaus' stuff are made quickly (and for good reason!)

I did EXACTLY what you are doing.  I purchased a used Stratos plus and spoke to Klaus, afterwhich, I decided on the Extreme upgrade.  Let me just say something:  do it.  Do NOT wait, do NOT pass go, do NOT collect the $200.  Instead, put that thing in a box and send it out....just watch lead times as Odyssey is getting busier all of the time.

What I have noticed:  Improved focus.  Improved depth.  Improved ease of presentation.  Improved frequency extremes.  Improved timbres. 

What changed:  the slightly original "softness" to the sound is gone and in its place is a greater "clarity."  The "warmth" (I note this as balance rather than "warmth", but too each his own) is there, but wait for it to come back...(I had the green boards and changed to the red along with the cap upgrades....perhaps my break in time was greater...)  however, the unit should really be powered on all of the time.  The unit should be plugged directly in the wall with the Extreme as I found this to be quite different between the Plus and Extreme versions.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised.  DO NOT expect a jaw dropping difference at power on...but just wait until the thing gets cooking and opens up....  The bass is better defined and the reserves mean an almost limitless feeling of power.

In a nut shell, it sounds more precise and presents a greater sense of effortlessness to the music, every thread of a performance unveiled and integrated in the whole....something too many amps are missing.  More ambient information seems to be reproduced as well. 



For reference, my system includes:
Acurus ACD cd player....black gate power supply caps and bypassed caps in output
Conrad Johnson PV12, Mullard Tubes
Odyssey Stratos Extreme Stereo
Selah Audio Scan Speak Reference Speakers(ported SSR w/ lowish sensistivity but extremely easy impedance characteristics)
Groenberg Interconnects amp to pre
Home made speaker cable with 4-14 600v rated Belden wire from Home Depot with monster spade terminations in silver solder
Systemdek IIx/NAD pp2 phono pre/ Grado Blue (or next one up, can't remember)
Audio Dynamics t200 Tuner (not sure if I use it enough to keep it...)

[Lkdog]

Well, I am having the unit shipped straight to Odyssey.
Put a call into Klaus.
Was wondering now if he still does the Dual Monos?
Does anyone know?

[Lkdog]

Talked to Klaus today.
Am going the Dual Mono route it appears.
Will post in a few weeks when I get it.