odyssey kismet or sanders magtech?


looking for a last amp purchase. One i can get and enjoy for 20 years, and pass off to my son, when the time is right.

Looking at ONLY these 2 amps, heard great things, and negatives about both amps.

heard super things about the kismet mono's, their sound is amazing. haven't heard words like " thin, or threadbare, or sterile"

The magtech, which will be driving regular box speakers, i have read EVERY google link upon typing in magtech, or sanders, there are some reviews saying it sounds lifeless, or sterile, thin, no soul, etc etc. I highly doubt the magtech is thin, or sterile, when used with a good source/preamp/speakers.

now for the speakers: I don't want to hear "firewood, suck, cheap, garbage, amps too good for them etc etc "

I hate to do a build up, then everyone is " wow, those suck "
I auditioned many, many speakers, A LOT actually. the ones i really wanted were a bit out of reach ( for now) Dynaudio 380's, they were awe-inspiring to my ears.

So what did i settle on:? I settled on the Energy RC-70's - before you go nuts, I am saying for MY EARS, they were hands down the best I heard of all my listening auditions, not as smooth, as the DYnaudio's of course, but hands down, one of the best speakers I have ever heard. I loathe bright speakers, so the selection was somewhat narrower for me. if a speaker is bright, i leave the room, my ears hurt, and i get nervous feeling, anxious, I just really dislike brigt speakers. The Energy's are pure bliss to me, and they can also rock & roll with the best i have heard.

possibly the sanders preamp, not sure, as I am considering Parasound p-5, or maybe the NAD 165Bee. currently using my old onkyo p-308, emotive xpa=1 mono blocks, they are ok, but midrange and treble seem lost in the music, I also use a specially modded pair of cerwin vega D-9's. before you gasp and stop reading, they are completely redone, crossovers 100% rebuilt, air core, all ultra high quality capacitors, windings, etc etc, all midranges are in sealed enclosures, all internal wiring is high quality silver/copper wire. A special 138 oz. magnet on a aftermarket woofer, with thicker surround. they are as tight as can be, and can blow my door open when asked to. They are powered by my sunfire signature 600 W amp. The energy's are also powered by my sunfire. I have the emotive amps, unplugged, just sitting covered, as I feel the sunfire just sounds better, midrange, highs, are much more realistic/accurate from the sunfire.

I am also getting my old trusty B&K pro10 MC recapped, and cleaned very soon, so I can add that to the miix, as I am going to sell my onkyo p-308. as its a pain in the butt to get that one recapped/work on.

I use audio quest cables, and preamp to amp i use amplifier surgery rca cables, high quality copper with mundorf silver solder throughout.

so, I am hoping to get "honest" replies about either the odyssey kismet, or sanders mabgtech amps. and possible some remarks on if I should get the sanders pre as well, as this was the setup where some reviewers said it was soul less, or sterile in the sound.

all you fine gentlemen,ladies: I am looking forward to your replies. Thank you. Your expertise is appreciated in my decision process.
arcticdeth

Showing 1 response by rhanson739

You would do best to concentrate your efforts on one thread, not two.

As I mentioned on your other thread, you can easily do a trial of the Magtech with no risk. Let your ears decide. I can't speak to the Odessy.

That said, some of what you've heard about the Magtech is likely true. It may fall short of your expectations.

I would suggest broadening your search before settling on an amp. I just finished my own process after a couple of months of trials. I had five different options to sample. I was surprised at where I wound up.

I took final delivery today, in fact. Listening tonight, I'm glad I was careful in deciding. I couldn't be more pleased.