Parasound, McCormick, Odyssey - best under $1000

I own Stratos monos and, while I haven't compared them to McCormack or Parasound, I have A/B'd them with my Krell KSA 50s (mostly using the Verity Parsifal Encore). The KSA 50 and KSA 50s (sliding bias) are lowish power devices employing a single pair of output transistors, and are sometimes cited as the best sounding amps Krell has ever produced.

The Stratos is a higher powered amp than the Krell, but both can drive the Parsifal to painful SPLs before showing stress. My real comparative experience is at more modest SPLs, where I've found that the Odyssey and Krell sound awfully similar and, to my ears, superior to most SS amps I've heard. In the context of my system, the Stratos are very, very good amplifiers.

Marty

Odessey amp + tube pre= heaven.

My experience with Odyssey Stratos and Parasound HCA-1205A is that the Stratos has more high frequency information which makes it sound more detailed and clear. The Parasound sounds very natural and has better bass but sounds rolled off. It does not reproduce high frequencies as well. Each amp is good but when side by side there are noticeable differences.

I have a Marantz preamp. It may be possible actually measure the differences with the Audyssey equalizer software but I have not made the time. I am using Signal Cable silver interconnects on both.

Either amp is a great improvement over an AVR (all in one home theater receiver). Any of these amps can be found used to help save money.

Another vote for McCormack.

My vote is for the McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe or the DNA .5 Deluxe. I've had both and they are very enjoyable amps. Finding a DNA-1 Deluxe at the $1000 price point is getting difficult IMO. A McCormack DNA .5 Deluxe under $800 is possible but once you see the listing jump on it.