Ever compare Odyssey Mono Extremes to AVA Fet Valve Ultra?

rockadanny · « **on:** 16 Jul 2008, 08:11 pm »

Or know of both and can describe differences?
Thanks.

schw06 · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 12:56 am »

Dan,
I have the Mono Extreme Se's. Why don't you come take them and put them in your system and you can judge for yourself.
Dave

gongos · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:08 am »

Quote from: rockadanny on 16 Jul 2008, 08:11 pm

Or know of both and can describe differences?
Thanks.

I had both and a/b's them. In my system, the Odyssey amps were clearly a big step above.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:14 am »

I had only the van Alstine solid state amp (125 watter) in 2006...and I thought the similarly priced Odyssey Khartago was better.

Not sure if they translates to Ultra versus Mono Extreme's, tho.

I have enormous respect for both designers...so it was not a popularity contest for me.

John

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:18 am »

Quote from: gongos on 17 Jul 2008, 01:08 am

Quote from: rockadanny on 16 Jul 2008, 08:11 pm
Or know of both and can describe differences?
Thanks.

I had both and a/b's them. In my system, the Odyssey amps were clearly a big step above.

I had them both in house, but at different times - not a direct A/B comparison.

I found the AVA had better clarity (especially through the midrange), the bass was tighter and not as wooly sounding as the Mono Extreme SE's.

Overall, the AVA could keep my attention better and longer than the Odyssey amps.

So I would take the AVA amp over the Odyssey amps, but I neither amp is really my cup of tea at the end of the day. I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:18 am »

Quote from: schw06 on 17 Jul 2008, 12:56 am

Dan,
I have the Mono Extreme Se's. Why don't you come take them and put them in your system and you can judge for yourself.
Dave

Great offer and advice!

George

lazydays · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 04:17 am »

Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 01:18 am

Quote from: gongos on 17 Jul 2008, 01:08 am
Quote from: rockadanny on 16 Jul 2008, 08:11 pm
Or know of both and can describe differences?
Thanks.

I had both and a/b's them. In my system, the Odyssey amps were clearly a big step above.

I had them both in house, but at different times - not a direct A/B comparison.

I found the AVA had better clarity (especially through the midrange), the bass was tighter and not as wooly sounding as the Mono Extreme SE's.

Overall, the AVA could keep my attention better and longer than the Odyssey amps.

So I would take the AVA amp over the Odyssey amps, but I neither amp is really my cup of tea at the end of the day. I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George

with that Super Bowl emblem I'd like to think your in the Indy area, but your not. If so, then try a pair of the Glass Ceiling Monos in your system. Give them a couple days to charge the caps, and tell us what you think. They are a complete step above the Mono SE's (I had a pair). I've heard one solid state amp that will run withese things, and it's made in Japan at five or six times the price.
gary
gary

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 05:41 am »

George....

Quote

I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George....Will you be posting a review on the Rawson ? I have read that the amps run a little "warm"....thanks.

Chris

denjo · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 09:02 am »

Lazydays wrote:

... I've heard one solid state amp that will run withese things, and it's made in Japan at five or six times the price.

Hi Gary

Just curious: would the SS Japanese amp be the Accuphase or Luxman? The Accuphase is quite popular in Germany and has been favourably compared against the Symphonic Line (I understand the Odysseys share similarities).

Best Regards
Dennis

zybar · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 11:40 am »

Quote from: lazydays on 17 Jul 2008, 04:17 am

Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 01:18 am
Quote from: gongos on 17 Jul 2008, 01:08 am
Quote from: rockadanny on 16 Jul 2008, 08:11 pm
Or know of both and can describe differences?
Thanks.

I had both and a/b's them. In my system, the Odyssey amps were clearly a big step above.

I had them both in house, but at different times - not a direct A/B comparison.

I found the AVA had better clarity (especially through the midrange), the bass was tighter and not as wooly sounding as the Mono Extreme SE's.

Overall, the AVA could keep my attention better and longer than the Odyssey amps.

So I would take the AVA amp over the Odyssey amps, but I neither amp is really my cup of tea at the end of the day. I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George

with that Super Bowl emblem I'd like to think your in the Indy area, but your not. If so, then try a pair of the Glass Ceiling Monos in your system. Give them a couple days to charge the caps, and tell us what you think. They are a complete step above the Mono SE's (I had a pair). I've heard one solid state amp that will run withese things, and it's made in Japan at five or six times the price.
gary
gary

Gary,

I think you have your Manning's confused.

To be honest, I was disappointed in the Mono Extreme SE's and even if I was offered a chance to try the Glass Ceiling Mono's, I don't think I would be interested in them. While I have a tremendous amount for respect for Klaus, I just don't think his amps are for me. My brief comments and opinions on the Mono Extreme SE's were based on amps that were left on for weeks straight and were completely broken in and "charged" up.

George

zybar · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 11:46 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 17 Jul 2008, 05:41 am

George....

Quote
I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George....Will you be posting a review on the Rawson ? I have read that the amps run a little "warm"....thanks.

Chris

Chris,

I have gotten away from writing formal reviews, so I am not sure if the Rawson amp will get one.

It runs HOT!!!

But it is well built and I can listen to it for hours and hours.

George

ecramer · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 12:25 pm »

Common George, Dont keep teasing us, You have told us twice now in different posts how good this amp is, You could at least run down some specks and general impressions , its something that most people wont get a chance to hear and will have to buy on spec.

ED

Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 11:46 am

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 17 Jul 2008, 05:41 am
George....

Quote
I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George....Will you be posting a review on the Rawson ? I have read that the amps run a little "warm"....thanks.

Chris

Chris,

I have gotten away from writing formal reviews, so I am not sure if the Rawson amp will get one.

It runs HOT!!!

But it is well built and I can listen to it for hours and hours.

George

zybar · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:49 pm »

Quote from: ecramer on 17 Jul 2008, 12:25 pm

Common George, Dont keep teasing us, You have told us twice now in different posts how good this amp is, You could at least run down some specks and general impressions , its something that most people wont get a chance to hear and will have to buy on spec.

ED

Ok, I will try and get a very informal "review" out this weekend.

George

Eric · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:53 pm »

Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 01:18 am

So I would take the AVA amp over the Odyssey amps, but I neither amp is really my cup of tea at the end of the day. I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George

Hi George,

This is the first I have heard of these. Where did you get them from. Is there a web-site?

Eric

Eric · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:57 pm »

Here is a thread where some Odyssey amps and Van Alstine amps were compared:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=989.0

The thread degenerated, but there is some good stuff in there

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 01:58 pm »

Quote from: Eric on 17 Jul 2008, 01:53 pm

Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 01:18 am
So I would take the AVA amp over the Odyssey amps, but I neither amp is really my cup of tea at the end of the day. I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George

Hi George,

This is the first I have heard of these. Where did you get them from. Is there a web-site?

Eric

No website.

Tim does it as a hobby, not a business.

George

ecramer · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 02:04 pm »

You can find his work's on Audiogon but you never know when or what he will offer for sale I think it's all what he has on hand and feels like building

Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 01:58 pm

Quote from: Eric on 17 Jul 2008, 01:53 pm
Quote from: zybar on 17 Jul 2008, 01:18 am
So I would take the AVA amp over the Odyssey amps, but I neither amp is really my cup of tea at the end of the day. I would take my Nelson Pass designed, Tim Rawson built, pure Class A amp over either at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of the AVA and Odyssey amps.

George

Hi George,

This is the first I have heard of these. Where did you get them from. Is there a web-site?

Eric

No website.

Tim does it as a hobby, not a business.

George

rockadanny · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 07:49 pm »

Thanks guys (Dave, Eric, George, etc.)
If you have an opinion please tell me WHY you like one over the other.
Even just a few short words describing sonic difference(s) would be appreciated.

schw06 · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 08:08 pm »

Dan,
Trust your ears. Opinions are like A$$holes-everyone has one. I have wasted soooo much money it's ridiculous based on other people's opinions. System synergy is, in my opinion, the most important aspect. You will always find someone that thinks an item is the holy grail and someone that thinks it's garbage. We all have different tastes and are trying to accomplish different things in our systems. I bought Gallo 3.1's, Dali Heicon 400's, Thule IA 350, Modwright swl 9.0, Genesis I60 monoblocks, Channel Islands D200's etc...based on other people's opinions. I don't own them anymore. They all had merit but aren't my cup of tea. Synergy is my highest priority and if I trusted my ears I would have already put a reference system together.
Dave

rockadanny · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Jul 2008, 08:30 pm »

Excellent point Dave. Which is why I may take you up on your very generous offer - so I can judge for myself. My AVA Fet Valve Ultra 550 is awesome. Perfect? Of course not - I imagine no amp is. I'm just interested in moving a little closer to what sounds perfect in my system and room to my aging, flawed ears.