[listener_111]

Hi,

I am thinking about upgrading my main speakers at the same time exploring the possibility of setting a HT.

Here is my current system

Jolida JD 100
Odyssey Tempest Pre
Odyssey Startos with Cap Upgrade
Paradigm ref studio 100 V2
Zu Wax Speaker cables
Straightwire ICs
Room size - 22 X 20 X 10
Preferred Music - Vocals, Jazz, Folk, Roc and Pop

I was thinking of keeping Music and HT separate and wanted to buy HTIB but it seems that for this room size HTIB will not be a good option, now the other option is to add Paradigm sub, center and rear but then it becomes difficult to change main speakers in near future. I was thinking about upgrading to either Sonus Faber Cremona auditor or something like that, but as a owner of Odyssey amps, I am interexted in Loerlei as well, has anybody compared these speakers with Sonus faber or ProAc, what are its strength, weaknes as compared to other speakers I mentioned and what are the options available for odyssey HT setup.

There is one more questions regarding hum in Stratos, Anybody know How to get rid of it as its audible from even 19-12 feets.

I realy appreciate any help on these topics.

Thanks,

Listener_111

[Marbles]

Can't help on the comparisons to the speakers you mentioned, but I am interested in the hum.

Is it coming through the speakers or is it just from the amp?

I take it you have read the www.6moons.com review of the lorelie, if not you should read it.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/odyssey/lorelei.html

[byteme]

Listener,

Long years ago when I just got out of high school I picked up a kick ass (for me) 2 channel rig - B&K amp, Superphon preamp and Polk RTA11t speakers.  I was always interested in (at the time) Pro Logic and tried it but it just wasn't ready yet.  Within the last three years we decided it was for us and I sold the amp and preamp to fund the purchase of an HTB.  Theater was excellent and everything we hoped, but two channel sucked.  Since then it's been my goal to integrate the two into one system that does both.  Yes, there will be compromises to both, however, I don't have a choice.  We've got no space for two separate systems.

I think over the last two years I've gotten very close and am one speaker upgrade away from being very happy with things.  I just placed an order with Klaus for a pair of Lorelei's and a Nemesis center to replace my polks and the CS400i center I've currently got.  From my experience I think you really can integrate the two and get the best of both worlds.  This is the way I've got stuff set up:

When I listen two channel, it's PURE two channel and the same for Home theater. I took the pre outs for my mains out of the Denon and ran them into the preamp DVD input. Then when I calibrated the system I noted where the volume on the preamp was and marked it with a small piece of tape so that the volume gets set at the appropriate leve. It goes like this


Two Channel
Source - Sony DVP-S7700
DAC - Scott Nixon Tubedac
Pre - Philly Audio Blues 7b - (TUBES!!)
Amp - Odyssey Stratos Stereo Extreme
Speaker - Polk RTA 11TL

Home Theater or TV
Source - Panny DVD player or Sat Box
Processor - Denon 3802 (also powers rear surrounds)
Pre - (Pass thru only) Philly Audio Blues 7b
Amp - Stratos for Mains and Newcastle AM9080 for center and side surrounds
Speakers - Polks, CS400i center, f/x 500i side surrounds, RT25i rear surrounds, SVS CS-2039 w/ 250watt plate amp.

Cables are Groneberg TS Premium IC's and Speaker with some Triphazers thrown in as well.

Unless you do a lot of 5 channel music I don't think it's THAT important to match surrounds and the front three.  The front three are important to match however and that's why I went all Odyssey.

As for the speaker comparison I spent 6 months reading everything I could and I think with the Sonus Faber, ProAc and Lorelei you're in the same vein of sound - all very musical, maybe not the last word of detial, but excellent at what they do, emotion, involvement and musicality.  The ProAc and Lorelei actually use pretty much the same drivers (in the 2.5 anyway)  I think the big thing Odyssey has going for it is your getting at least as much or MORE speaker for 1/2 the price (new vs. new).  The deciding factor for me along with price was as Klaus and others always preach, it's about synergy - and the Lorelei's complement your system well!!  PM me if you have any questions or want to discuss further and good luck!

Brian.

[listener_111]

Hi Marbles/byteme,

Thanks a lot for the suggestions, I really liked sonus faber Grand piono Home when I bought Paradigms, due to budget constraints I bought Paradigms .., I don't listen to multichannel music, actually I have lots of cassettes and few old LPs and number of CDs, very few SACDs and I am looking for musica speakers .. don't have to be acurate, I will definately look into Odyssey line.

As far as Hum is concerned, it stats from speakers when switch on the stratos.

Thanks,

Listener_111

[Marbles]

That sounds like a ground loop hum.

Do you have a a CATV hooked up to this system in any way?

If you unhook the IC's from the Stratos, then turn them on, do you still get the hum?

[byteme]

listener,

based on your equipment and musical desires I would definately check out the Lorelei and the 6Moons review like Marbles suggested.

Also, like marbles suggested, sounds like ground loop.  Either do what he suggested to test if it is the problem or disconnect the cable coming in from the wall from whatever it goes into first and then turn everything on.  If the hum goes away, it's a ground loop caused by your cable.  Check this out for the cure - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=6884.msg58897#58897

[listener_111]

Hi,

Both of you are really great help , I think CATV is a cable tv ? and I am sendin the DVD output and TV out to Tempest .. I will try out removing cables and sorting out what is the exact cause.

Thanks,

Listener

[byteme]

Yup, CATV is cable tv.  Many times this is the culprit.  I'd check there first before you start unplugging a ton of other cables!!  I had the same problem when I added an amp to the Denon 3802.  Drove me nuts!  I was happy to find it was something relatively easily fixable.