[Steve Mac]

Hello folks. New to this forum and thought I'd place stake in the ground and make a statement about my experiences with the amplifiers I've purchased from Klaus at Odussey Audio. My system is a pretty large one. It's currently a three way system based roughly on an Altec Voice of the Theater system. I've been through quite a few speakers, my last system before the complete makeover was a large Magneplanar system with two custom designed transmission line sub woofers that I built when I lived in Tennessee about 6 years ago. The Magneplanars were Tympani IVa's and the woofers in the transmission line subs are JBL 2242's. Here's a pic:

As much as I enjoyed this stereo, I decided to step it up a notch and build horn loaded sub woofers(18" JBL 2242s) and mid bass horns(GPA 515s) and place Altec 511 horns with modified 808-8a drivers(converting to 802s) I ended up with this system:


After much contemplating I ended up going for one amplifier design...the Odyssey Stratos.
I now own 5 amps, 4 monos and one stereo. 2 are upgrades and are on the mid range horns. 2 are stock and are on the mid bass horns and the stereo is on the sub woofers. I decided to listen for 3 or 4 months before offering up my opinions...just wanted to be sure...

1) Klaus Bunge did a great job...
This was not a trivial system and he devoted a goodly amount of time to getting it "right". Thank you Klaus, it is much appreciated.
2) The amplifiers were exactly as Klaus described...i.e. they need a short break in period, and they improved over the course of a month, sounding better and better.
3) The build quality was superb
4) They've been rock solid performers for the last 4 months
5) They are wonderful sounding amplifiers.(I hate using superfluous audio jargon but it is what it is)
6) The price is extremely competitive. Some folks think spending more money will give them better sound. I believe this amplifier is pretty good evidence to the contrary. Then again, it's just my ears and this one particular stereo system that I've listened to it on...so it would be impossible to come to a truly broad based conclusion...I understand...but the Odyssey Stratos IMHO is a superb amplifier.

[satfrat]

WOW, this is the second 1st time poster in the Odyssey Circle tonite and both were just killer posts. Welcome to AudioCircle and a big thanks for these killer pictures. 2 awesome systems, especially those horns. Now that's 1 system I'd like to test those Odyssey amps on. Any thoughts on upgrading to the Kismet amps for them horns, especially after you read the other 1st time poster's review? I'm betting it's tempting, I know it would be for me if I had my ears on that type of system.

Cheers,
Robin

[dangerbird]

Awsome review and system  aa

[bpape]

Boy, I know some guys that will be just drooling when they see that horn system.

Welcome to AC

Bryan

[Steve Mac]

Thank you gentle-folks!
I'm not sure the Kismet system is applicable?
I really only have a use for power amps...I use no preamp and no turntable...
the studio is digital, I've downloaded my CDs to a computer and run AES/EBU
around the studio. That may change someday...but only after I save up enough
dough to nab a nice Panasonic AE3000 projector and finish the surround sound
speakers(will probably need more stratos amps )...and then break out the 511e horns
and....man this stuff gets expensive doesn't it?

[pfradale]

I run a pair of Unity horns and agree that the Stratos monos are a very good match for them. The combination of high sensitivity speakers and the amp's power delivery is a winning one. Like you I am strictly digital, though my front end is a Sony SCD-1. Those of you who've not given SACD a thought should really listen to a few discs for yourself on a good system.

[Steve Mac]

I would love to see a pic of your Unity horns!
I seriously considered them and am interested in seeing the
application of tapped horns evolve and grow.


.

[pfradale]

Here is an older shot of it at my last house; I designed and built them and love the sound. The only thing I would change were I to do it again would be to move the PRs from the side to the back of the cabinets. I put them on either side at the base to keep the center of mass low but now wish I had put them behind each 15" mid-bass both for looks and for easy access to the drivers. When I moved from Hawaii to Japan I had to give up my woodshop so I will not be making changes any time soon.

edit: Oops! Forgot the pic.