odyssey amp's how do they compare to others

They are supposed to be a fantastic amp. I've recommended them to two friends who purchased them and both had excellent things to say about them.

I've never heard them but you just can't find someone to saying one negative thing about the Stratos.

They're fast, powerful, ergonomic, and the 20 year warranty should make that final decision rather easy.

Not to mention the money saved that can be used for other items.

Hifying, you have every right to be concerned, suspicious, and even wrong.

The european amp that you speak of is the German amp (not french) Symphonic Line.

Klaus Bunge who is/was the U.S. importer for the Symphonic Line made a deal with them to build one of their amps in the US and sell it for under $1000. Because the Symphonic amps were so expensive (so the story goes).

Don't know if it is made in a garage or even in the back of a white van and don't care.

The results are supposedly astounding. The Absolute Sound gave it a Golden Ear award last year. The amp has been out there for over three years.

There have been legitimate reviews done on this amp and each one has sung it's praise.

Again, I have not listened to this amp myself, but I know two people who own the monoblock paired versions and both really like them.

Go to their website and find the reviews that have been done on this amp.

Thorty40, point well taken. And I've heard this point many times before. And because of what I think I know, I have in the past and do agree with you now at least to a very good extent.

However, I kinda' bounce back and forth. For example, when somebody says a product is highly suspiscious and no good, and I've heard nothing but the contrary, then I'll use those same reviews to substantiate my opinion. Even though I don't put much weight into the reviews.

Good point though.

Oh, well. It's just a hobby and 50 years from now it won't matter to me anyway.

Mfb33. Did you have too much chile last night?

Well said, Klaus. Some people will always be skeptical. The more info you give them, the more they love to fire back at you.

From all that I've heard, Klause has really done a magnificent job of taking a product design, reworking it (with permission) so that those among us who cannot afford expensive gear, can reap the same, or even better sonic benefits than gear costing multiple times. He is to be commended for not only trying such an endeavor but for apparently succeeding quite well.

I almost purchased a pair of monoblock Stratos last Spring. But in the end, I held out for a McCormack DNA-2 LAE (Limited Anniversary Edition). The only amp the IAR (Intern'l Audio Review) reviewer claims is better than the Stratos back in 1999 and costs about 7 times more retail.

Because they are mail-order only, I've never listened to the Stratos, but my brother and a friend purchased a pair of mono's 6 months ago, and they thoroughly enjoy them. A third person just emailed me two days ago to say he just put his order in for one Stratos.

Now if only Klause would loan me a pair of Stratos so I could A/B compare them to my DNA-2 LAE. Then I could really speak with authority. :)

-John

Well said, Jallen. 18 months ago, I ordered a pair of Stratos monoblocks, then cancelled because I found the one amp that I thought was better. I've never listened to the Stratos but I've known people who have owned them and I've only heard very positive praise for them. Unless of course somebody ate too much chile the night before.

Klaus and Odyssey Audio are to be commended for their efforts and obvious successes at making truly hi-end amplifiers at dirt cheap prices. Not to mention their 30 day money back satisfaction guaranteed or their 20 year warranty.

Personally, from what I've learned about the Stratos and some of the competition, I'd still choose a couple of Odyssey Stratos monoblock amplifiers over any Levinson or Krell amplifier made. Hey, I'm entitled to my opinion. And yes, I realize some of these other amps cost 15 times more than a pair of Stratos.

It's nice to see somebody take their amplifiers seriously like Odyssey Stratos. If their amp is half of what people say it is, then the addage: "One must spend a lot of money in the hobby to realize one needn't spend a lot of money." applies directly to the purchase of these amplifiers.

-IMO