[buckeyefanandy]

Getting ready to move toward an analog front end.  This is going to lead me to either find a phono section preamp or add a separate tubed phono section.

Was looking at the sonic frontiers sfp-1, an audio research of some sort, along with some others.  Wanted to get thought of those that have used the Tempest and Candella and compared them to each other and what you settled on or move on to.

[buckeyefanandy]

Nobody has an opinion on the Tempest?  I just bought one used with a phono section, will I be happy with it, or should I keep looking and hold on to this till I can get into a sonic frontiers or audio research?

[mjosef]

Well, I hope you didn't buy the one I sold couple years ago. 
THe phono stage was plagued with hummmm. Got around that by using a separate phono stage.
Its an good line stage for the price. I went to an Usher pre, which was much better overall (more expensive also).
From there I went to tubes with CAT SL1 reference (even more expensive  ), which was quite a step up from the Usher...so I'm happy at this point.
Good luck with that Tempest.

YMWV.

[ducky7566]

hello Buckeyefanandy ...
 My experience in pre-amp is not huge, but for now, and, lately, the best combination with my stratos mono extreme is the preamp audioresearch SP 16 ...
 a superb soundstage, stamps delicious, a remarkable opening !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 and I do not use the phono section, which is nevertheless deemed to be better than the section line ...
 For me, the tempest is not in the same category ...
 the price is not the same, it's obvious, but the difference is widely available on ...
 I have a colleague who bought stratos mono extreme, after listening to mine ...
 he also bought a candle ...
 I'll have to borrow it, to try and look at sp 16 ...
 anyway, a preamp tube provides comfortable viewing important ...
 after o like it or not ...
 see you soon , ducky...

http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=173764962#p173764962

[buckeyefanandy]

Audio research is high on my list.

Just find it strange that so many odyssey owners and I have now seen two, a slightly negative and another more so. 

Nothing good to be said for the Tempest????

[Will]

I guess I'm an Odyssey fanboy now because I have a Tempest Extreme and 180 wpc Khartago monos with Loreleis and Gronebergs, and absolutely LOVE the musicality of the system.  It gets you INVOLVED.  All at a shamefully low cost.

My first Tempest had a transformer hum, and I upgraded to the Tempest Extreme (Symphonic Line board, MuMetal transformer, etc.).  Klaus was very patient and accommodating but the hum persisted - until I picked up a "HumBuster."  The hum must have been from DC in the line (the Tempest is a bit sensitive to dirty power).  The Tempest is now silent.  The sound is wide open.  The phono section is fine for my purposes but I cannot speak for you, of course.  Just trust your ears and disregard the hype (mine included!).

A good friend who performed in a solo piano concert at Orchestra hall in Chicago was floored with my Odyssey system, and he now wants the same.  From what I've gleaned on this site and others, a lot of musicians appreciate Odyssey gear.

Better audio can be had for the bottomless wallet, but this stuff rocks at its price point.  The Tempest is an integral part of the equation.

-Will

[buckeyefanandy]

Thanks will, I have some clean power.  Hope it wont be an issue.

[aaron.luebke]

If anyone is getting hum from the transformer and you have clean power talk to Mike at Odyssey.  He's wrapping the transformers in something.  I've got a pair of Khartago's over there now and he's going to do this procedure on them.  When they get back I'll let you know what they look like.

And just so I don't cause problems - my Khartago's didn't hum to start with but they do have the older, not covered transformers and Mike offered to do this to them - just in case.

[klaus@odyssey]

The transformers in question have been discontinued for years now,  and yes,  with the wrapping we were able to make even them hum.
However,  we can also drop in the German mymetal piece which is awesome.  As for the amps,  no need whatsoever,  only old Tempests.
Finally,  as for the unit itself,  keep in mind that the Tempest is the 5 K Symphonic Line RG 2 unit.   Granted,  the new ones are so far removed from older pieces due to the upgrades from Germany,  but that doesn't mean that even some of the first pieces kick ass.
Of course,  as always,  system synergy....

Late,

Klaus