[bwana]

So often the reviews of audio equipment are filled with description that tries to characterize the sound. But the elephant in the room is the prior experience that is the reference for one's judgment. I have a cinepro 3k6 II SE that I absolutely love for movies. It's wired for 220v and produces 4000 w over 6 channels. Compared to an ATI 1505, the sound is more open The soundstage more full. Individual sounds are crisper and cleaner. When a doorbell rings or a door slams shut, you think it's in your house rather than the film. I attribute this to the 'audio contrast' - the ability of the amp to portray absolute silence and then generate sharp transients when needed. Obviously a lot of that depend on the power of the amp but also the design.

Unfortunately, three of the channels have died. So I am looking for a replacement to drive my speakers - psb gold i. Two are 4 ohm towers with 92 db sensitivity and the center channel as well. So I need at least three channels.

What does the stratos sound like? - I havent seen the s/n in the specs but I think some real live comparisons would be helpful.

Tnx.

[AnalogDog]

I suspect a lot of folks in these pages are former amplifier sluts, changing amps regularly, trying to get that right sound. The fact that we've come to rest here in the Odyssey forum should speak volumes. The only thing I'll change my Stratos monoblocs for is either to have them Glass Ceiling'ed, or Kismeted.

[stereo5]

I have had a lot of audio equipment over the past 36 years so I can't remember them all.  From what I can remembeer, I started with a GAS-Son of Ampzilla power amp with a Kenwood L07P Preamp, followed by a Mitsubishi 250wpc power amp, GAS Ampilla II,  Adcom 555 power amp, Phase Linear 700B amp, Aragon 4004 amp, Classe 10 amp, Classe 15 amp and my present Stratos stereo extreme upgraded with the K circuit boards and top of the line Groneburg cableing.I also had many integrated amps starting in 1971 with a Kenwood and moved up their line to their best integrated.  I also had a Accuphase integrated, a Fisher tube integrated  that I think used EL34 tubes if I remember correctly.  I also had 3 different Sony integrateds and all of this occured from 1971-1980 when I went to the separates mentioned above.  I was an audio salesman that sold mid fi components during that time as I was putting myself through college so I was able to change my equipment often as I always got a "salesman accomodation" from all the different manufacturers at 40-60% off retail.

My biggest regret was when I sold my GAS Ampzilla 2 amp, GAS Thalia preamp, GAS Sleeping Beauty MC Cartridge, JVC Direct Drive turntable (their top of the line), Kenwood's top of the line tuner, and my Rectilinear III floor standing speakers.  In some ways, it bettered my present 30K+ system.

Bob

[loki1957]

My glass ceiling amps replaced a set of Jadis IA 200s'

[ronbo]

I guess I've had a few over the years, but if I found one I liked I generally would stick with it for quite a while- usually it'd be a move that would have me change out something. For example I used to run 1st gen. Magnepan MGIII's, and had an external custom crossover with a Classe DR-3 for the top end and a couple of Eagle 2A's for the bottom end- it was magnificent. Not sure I've ever beaten it in some respects. A move dictated that I sell the Maggies, and later went through several dynamics. Went back to planars with the Eminent Technology LFT VIIIa's (now upgraded to the 'b' standard with the new tweeters). Wonderful speaker, though not a pure dipole. Need lots of power, and drove them for quite a while with a Classe DR-9 (DR-6 pre). The DR-9 was rated at only 100 w/ch, but the reality was something quite a bit more than this figure. It was a great combo, but a spousal requirement that I be rid of audio racks in exchange for a cabinet had me out of the Classe (too deep for the cabinet) and so I tried a Musical fidelity A308 integrated. A nice amp, but the ET's suffered on the bottom end compared to the Classe. Now running the ET's with a pair of Stratos Mono's (red board but not extreme). Not sure what  extreme or GC would do, because they're already awesome and the ET's really come alive driven with these amps. If anyone would try to tell you that watts is watts, well, this would be a good case in point for proving them otherwise- the difference is quite dramatic. The bottom end of the ET's is transformed, more than likely even better than with the DR-9 (though I'm in a different listening environment now so it's hard to say for certain). And of course it's not just in the bottom end where the Stratos shine- imaging, transparency, naturalness, tons of headroom etc.

BTW, I also run a pair of Loreleis as well, changing them out time to time with the ET's- they're both excellent at their price points, and both quite different in character, but both equally enjoyable for what they do well. I could live with either as my only speakers, but am glad to have the option to change them out now and again. I will say though that the Loreleis have it all over the ET's in the bass department.

Hey Loki1957, see you have a Paso 750- neat bike, if a bit flawed (well, according to the reviews anyway). I finally sold my Moto Guzzi V11 Sport to a friend of mine- sure do miss it, but I'm raising a little girl right now. Think I'll wait for a while before I get another bike. BTW, my friend who bought the V11 also has a 907 i.e. -very nice machine...

Cheers,

Ron

[machinehead]

McIntosh MC602
McIntosh MC500
McIntosh MC7270

[smata67]

"What does the stratos sound like?"

Go read numerous reviews at www.audioreview.com on both the stratos and khartago--same amp in different clothing.  Detailed, very natural top to bottom, great soundstaging and separation.  Bass?  Perhaps a weak point, but I came from an Aragon 8008BB amp with a vise-grip on the woofer, 2200VA transformer vs. 800VA for khartago monos I have.  A used Odyssey amp is a bargain, you can always sell it for what you paid for it, though you will probably not, unless to upgrade to another Odyssey.

[Pycroft]

Hello all...

I recently purchased (And am awaiting for it to arrive) an Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono amp.  It will be paired with my Sony SS-M9's.  Here is my short yet exciting audio journey:

Started with Polk RTA 11TL's paired with a Soundcraftsmen PCR800.  The next move was Polk SDA 1C's (No upgrades) Paired with with a Carver TFM 35x.  I then found what I thought was my dream speaker - Sony SS-M7's, and paired it with the Carver, then tried my first tube amp - Dynaco ST-70 with the Welbourne Modification (Currently for sale since it can't power my current speakers).  I always told myself I would not give up the Sony M7's unless I found the M9's.  Low and behold, I now own a pair of Sony SS-M9's, which aren't compatible with the Dynaco (Hence the sale of both the M7's and Dynaco).  When researching an amp to go with my new M9's, Odyssey came up, and I recently bought the Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono amp from an Audiocircle member.  It's been a short, yet exciting journey.

James

[johnzm]

McIntosh MC602
McIntosh MC500
McIntosh MC7270

it does not hepl much (for me) if you post all of your previously owned gear with no description on why you are staying with the stratos.  please if yo can provide some details on the differences so we can all get a better idea.

Thanks!