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Odyssey Audio: Sent amp for service 4 months ago, no amp / no contact back

Hello,

I bought an amp from a store in Seattle, WA that deals in new and used audio gear.  They thought it was an Odyssey Stratos at the time, paid $1000.  Worked fine for a couple years and then one of the channels started popping loudly.  I contacted Odyssey, since they offer a 20 year warranty, and got a reply from Klaus Bunge in August of this year (2015).  He informed me that it wasn't actually an Odyssey amp, but offered to replace the guts for ~$500 and gave me the address to ship it to.  Seemed like a kind and generous offer to me!  The store in Seattle was kind enough to take care of shipping it there and I was pretty happy with the prospect of getting the real deal and emailed to Klaus to ask about the upgrade options offered on the website (http://www.odysseyaudio.com/products-stratos-stereo.html).  It's been 4 months now and I've got nothing. No replies to several emails and phone calls.  The website is still there, so it seems they're still in biz?  Looking around on the web, I don't see complaints about the company.  Thought they were reputable.  Any ideas for what I can do to resolve the situation?


clayton72
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
This is an odd situation, more info please. 

Something not not making sense. 

Klaus can be slow, but, will always follow through. 

Contact where purchased from, let us know exactly what amps they are. And why someone would agree to fix another companies product?    Strange.   Maybe odyssey design labs, which is if I'm not mistaken not really odyssey¿


stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 
I believe what was bought was an amplifier made by one of Odysseys former employee who went out on his own.  Klaus said it was a half-assed attempt to clone his amplifier and that is why he is willing to work on it to bring it up to a current production model.  Plus, he doesn't do it for free.
clayton72 OP
1 posts
 
He responded to my post on Audiocircle.  Got in touch with Klaus this evening on the phone. Had a nice chat. My speakers are Martin Logan Monolith III's, he's going to build me something completely different to work with those. ETA is January. Seems best to call him in the evening or late at night even.

Thanks for the advice, folks!
Clayton
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
986 posts
 
Clayton72,
This is very intriguing indeed. If Klaus is doing all this for only $500 including shipping, it may be that there is something going on between himself and the ex-employee - possibly some legal issues that they have yet to iron out. Just a thought.
J.
phd
1,316 posts
 
It sounds like you purchased an ODL and not the Odyssey amp. ODL was sued by Klaus (Odyssey) to stop producing and they and won. They (the ODL & Odyssey) really are identical and do sound the same to some degree but he wants to replace the guts with the latest circuit board and quite possibly remove the ODL logo and replace it with Odyssey. Keep calling, he will answer.
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