Odyessy Audio. How good are they???

rdb2001

With the dismantling of my old system and the new sysem being but together I have done alot of research. You guys informed me on one of my threads to buy the best speakers possible. I read that other places as well. Taking you guys advice has absolutely killed my amp budget.

This is where Odyessy comes in. I was originally looking at Mcintosh and Pass, but now with my budget being lower, Odyssey looks more attractive as far as price. Those that have owned them, how would you compare them to other brands? Where would you put them in the pecking order of amplifiers?

I talked with Mike at Odyessy and was really impressed. Just wanted you guys thoughts on their gear. Thanks

heiney9

Nice gear, a step down from Pass and some of Mac gear. Still well built, solid designs.

Warranty and upgrade work take a long time as do custom builds.

H9

leroyjr1

What kind of speakers do you plan on running?

rdb2001

leroyjr1 wrote: »

What kind of speakers do you plan on running?

802 diamond. I was going to get the 804's or the 803's but everyone kept saying get the best speakers you can, and you wont regret it. The 802 was just flat out better than the 803's and the 804's was nowhere close. What intrigues me about odyessy is the 120 amps of current delivery it is capable of 180,000?F of capacitance. With power hungry speakers like the 802 or 803's, that type of current and capacitance is needed.

VR3

My Dad owns some of the top dog Pass Lab monoblocks, like the X600 - unless you are going high on the Pass line you are not exactly going a "step up" over Odyssey, maybe a lateral step but even the X600 does not destroy the Kismet or glass ceiling monoblocks... thats a fact jack.

dkg999

I've not yet heard a McIntosh amplifier that I liked the sound of, so based on some listening sessions at a local CP member's house with his Odyssey gear, I would consider it a step-up from the McIntosh gear. I use that to illustrate the point that you could possibly say that Pass/McIntosh gear is maybe a step-up in build quality and depth of R&D and circuit design, however what is really going to matter is the synergy of your amp with your speakers and source gear.

rdb2001

dkg999 wrote: »

I've not yet heard a McIntosh amplifier that I liked the sound of, so based on some listening sessions at a local CP member's house with his Odyssey gear, I would consider it a step-up from the McIntosh gear. I use that to illustrate the point that you could possibly say that Pass/McIntosh gear is maybe a step-up in build quality and depth of R&D and circuit design, however what is really going to matter is the synergy of your amp with your speakers and source gear.

You know, My dealer and I had moment that stunnded us beyond belief. They just started carrying peachtree audio. He had a peachtree hybrid tube integrated that he wanted to try that had been burning on another system. He asked if I mind him hooking it up to the 802 diamonds. They were hooked up to the MC501 monoblocks. I said cool, lets try and see what the integrated can do. Both of us were wowed by the sound of the Peachtree with the 802's. I can stand here and say that this is what pushed me to the 802's and lowering my amp budget. The 802's sounded better with the Peachtree than with the 501's. We were both in shock.

I said all of that to say, that maybe have been a defining moment in my audio journey. I honestly did not think the peachtree had a chance but it took those 802's to another level. I begin to look at other things besides mcintosh and put more of my budget towards speakers.

rdb2001

VR3 wrote: »

My Dad owns some of the top dog Pass Lab monoblocks, like the X600 - unless you are going high on the Pass line you are not exactly going a "step up" over Odyssey, maybe a lateral step but even the X600 does not destroy the Kismet or glass ceiling monoblocks... thats a fact jack.

That is really nice to know. Mike and I talked about 30 mins this morning and he has my information for Klaus to call me when he gets in in the afternoon. I can see you were one of the people that had me looking at Odyessy. You have given them good merits on sound quality even through the issues you had. Mike said with my budget, I have endless possiblites. There are so many configurations and options. It's almost confusing but I think they may be who I go with for my amps and even possibly my 2 channel pre.

heiney9

VR3 wrote: »

... thats a fact jack.

More like an opinion.

In my opinion I'd take any Pass piece over Odyssey anyday and twice on Sunday.

But again, it's just an opinion.

H9

heiney9

rdb2001 wrote: »

I have endless possiblites. There are so many configurations and options. It's almost confusing but I think they may be who I go with for my amps and even possibly my 2 channel pre.

That's my biggest knock on Klause. Why so many incremental differences? Make it a couple ways, the best ways and be done with it. I have never seen anyone futz with so many slightly different configurations before. It's either really good to begin with and needs updates as the line progresses or it doesn't.

Blue boards, black boards, red boards, green board, extra caps, extra torrids.........make it like that the first time and be done with it.

Again, just one person's POV. I've heard his gear and it's nice stuff for sure. I am not a fan of his approach to design, etc.

You will not be disappointed, although you haven't disclosed anything else about the rig you are building.

H9

dkg999

So which Olive Oil goes best with a Pass amp? I've heard that the darker more robust multi-olive blends with some cracked pepper and sea salt go best with McIntosh amps.

SolidSqual

Odyssey makes an amp that can compete with the competition, but the customer service can be sporadic in my experience. Also, beware that Klaus doesn't really make a component chassis for each model he makes. He just kinda plugs or covers the holes of certain models if the cut holes aren't being used (see photos of a big plastic piece with your name engraved on it). Also, make sure you ask for a case that is flawless if small blemishes piss you off. Finally, the XLR jacks are just wired to the single-ended jacks. The designs are not balanced at all. If you ever want to run a balanced system, Odyssey will not provide the true benefit.

VR3

My thoughts on what Klaus does as far as design changes is more like... in the field R&D - if you look at the red board to the black board, from the extreme to the glass ceiling of the Stratos - the black board, glass ceiling Stratos is essentially a Kismet...

Now that the Kismet exists you wont see to many glass ceiling black board Stratos amps...

And most likely over time you wont see anymore red boards at all as he phases over to all black boards...

Customer service is a hit and miss like Solid mentioned but in the end Klaus always makes it right - he has always taken care of me even if I wanted to kill him a time or two!

As far as Odyssey being a "step down" from Pass is not an opinion, they have a DIFFERENT sound at the same price point, neither is better or worse - now when you get up in the Pass line I will say they are a step up...

My best advice with Odyssey is find a one owner used amp and get Klaus to upgrade it to where you want it - would probably save you several thousand dollars.

Klaus's B stock is a good route too, same warranty.

heiney9

NM........totally mis-read Trey's post, completely whiffed it

He builds solid gear that people really like.

To the OP, you are going to get all kinds of subjective opinions so try as many things as you can.

H9

VR3

Design in what way? His amps are designed by Rolf Germain of Symphonic Line which has just as much credentials and background as Nelson Pass...

R&D, perhaps - Odyssey is ran out of a garage but the design is solid and comes straight out of an extremely expensive design.

SolidSqual

VR3 wrote: »

Design in what way? His amps are designed by Rolf Germain of Symphonic Line which has just as much credentials and background as Nelson Pass...

R&D, perhaps - Odyssey is ran out of a garage but the design is solid and comes straight out of an extremely expensive design.

I don't really like Klaus as a person, but his workshop is a little more than a garage. I've been there. It mischaracterizes his business. Is he a small business, yes. But he has good skills, excellent tools and a staff that helps him get the job done. That being said, if it were my money, I'd look elsehwere. Klaus's amps are more warm and laid back in my opinion. I don't see them blending well with B&W gear based on my own knowledge of that brand of speakers.

heiney9

I don't want to turn this into a big back and forth. The Op mentioned Pass and Odyssey. I gave my opinion and I feel if he can, hold out for the Pass amp. If not, Odyssey has a great rep and I doubt he will be disappointed.

Although more info on the rest of the gear might be helpful.

H9

F1nut

rdb2001 wrote: »

What intrigues me about odyessy is the 120 amps of current delivery it is capable of 180,000?F of capacitance. With power hungry speakers like the 802 or 803's, that type of current and capacitance is needed.

Only 120 amps? Take a look at the Musical Fidelity M6PRX with 140 or the older kW750 with 250!!!

rdb2001

I want to thank everyone for their responses. I am open to other options at this pricepoint. This is probably the most demanding speaker I will ever on. I know that it is not about watts but about current. I want something that has the finesse with the diamond tweeter but also has the grunt to control the dual 8 inch woofers with clean articulate bass. This will be my last upgrade for a while and I want to make it count. Thanks for all of the help.

leroyjr1

I'd look at them Parasound mono blocks in the for sale section for $3000. Waaaay underpriced and has the power to handle the 802's.

rdb2001

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I'd look at them Parasound mono blocks in the for sale section for $3000. Waaaay underpriced and has the power to handle the 802's.

I have talked with him about them and was about to buy them. My wife talked me out of it honestly. She told me to buy everything new this time. I have always bought my amps used but since she is allowing me to spend this much she wanted me to go new with warranty. Another thing would be finding a single JC1 to complete the front stage. His price is amazing and I wanted to snatch those up but I can understand my wife and where she is coming from. She is allowing me to spend 10k more than my original budget. With that being said, going new is the route I have chosen.

Pycroft

I own an Odyssey Stratos dual mono amp, and have been very happy with it. I use it with my Sony SS-M9's, and it does it's job well. I can't comment on how it compares to either of the other brands. If you have specific questions, I'm all ears - feel free to PM me. FYI, I'm not a 'technical' guy, but have my opinions - for whatever they are worth.

James

rdb2001

heiney9 wrote: »

I don't want to turn this into a big back and forth. The Op mentioned Pass and Odyssey. I gave my opinion and I feel if he can, hold out for the Pass amp. If not, Odyssey has a great rep and I doubt he will be disappointed.

Although more info on the rest of the gear might be helpful.

H9

This will be a HT/2 channel dual purpose theater. 802 diamonds with the HTM2 diamond center.
Integra 80.3 processor for HT or Onkyo 5509 if it ever makes it to the US.
Audioquest rocket 88 biwire speaker cables
Audioquest King Cobra interconnects
Oppo 93 bd sacd player.
DAC's - Looking at the M2Tech Young DAC. have not really decided yet but that is the front runner.
Mac Mini running Pure Music as my music server( Most of my music in loseless format, I have a few cd's and sacds)
If I go with odyessy, I will also be getting the Candela pre with HT bypass for 2 channel listening.
I have two dedicated circuits in my HT room and will probably add a shuntya hyra 8 for my source components. I can get the Panamax 5400 pm for a very good price but I have heard great things about Shuntya.

This system is being pieced together slowly. I probably will not totally be finished until the end of the year. The 802's are the only definite right now besides cables.

rdb2001

Pycroft wrote: »

I own an Odyssey Stratos dual mono amp, and have been very happy with it. I use it with my Sony SS-M9's, and it does it's job well. I can't comment on how it compares to either of the other brands. If you have specific questions, I'm all ears - feel free to PM me. FYI, I'm not a 'technical' guy, but have my opinions - for whatever they are worth.

James

thanks for the help. I am about to shoot you a PM. Thanks again

xsmi

If you like the Peachtree sound, Why not go for that or something that has the same sound signature but more robust?

Having said that, I have ALWAYS loved the sound of B&W 802d's with Big Macs and the Mac Tube pre. I don't have the model number in front of me. But talk about SYNERGY! It seemed the electronics were made for those speakers.

marvda1

a very nice sounding amp.
http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/electronics/r-1-5-amplifier
and it is based on the pass stasis amp.

headrott

heiney9 wrote: »

More like an opinion.

In my opinion I'd take any Pass piece over Odyssey anyday and twice on Sunday.

But again, it's just an opinion.

H9

I'll second that opinion. Just look at the designs and parts used between Pass and Odyssey. Not saying Odyssey is not good gear by any means, but compared to Pass it's not very close.

Greg

xsmi

xsmi wrote: »

If you like the Peachtree sound, Why not go for that or something that has the same sound signature but more robust?

Having said that, I have ALWAYS loved the sound of B&W 802d's with Big Macs and the Mac Tube pre. I don't have the model number in front of me. But talk about SYNERGY! It seemed the electronics were made for those speakers.

It was the C2300 with 501 MONOS!

rdb2001

Just an update but I have decided to give Odyssey a try. I put in an order yesterday for 3 fully speced kismet reference extreme monoblocks for the front 3 speakers. I am getting a Khartago extreme stereo amplifier for the the surrounds( I only run 5.2). I am also getting a fully specd Candela tupe pre with HT bypass for 2 channel listening. I am excited. He has a 30 day money back guarantee so if I don't like it, I have options. Thanks guys for all of your input.

leroyjr1

Congrats!!

VR3

BAD ****! Congrats bro!!!!