Pass X150.5 or Odyssey Stratos monos?

Hi George,

I think I see what you are referring to in the photos. In the mono version there is a sleeving containing a red wire and a yellow wire, which appear to connect the amp’s output connectors to the printed circuit board. With the red wire going to the part of the circuit board that is associated with one channel in the stereo version, and the yellow wire going to the part of the board that is associated with the other channel in the stereo version.

Which is suggestive of a bridged design. However I suspect that the two channels are paralleled, rather than bridged. With one wire, probably the yellow one, going to circuit ground, and with a connection between the outputs of the two channels being made somewhere where we can’t readily see it, perhaps underneath the board, and in turn connected to the red wire.

As you know, bridging can potentially increase power capability into 8 ohms by 4x (i.e. by 6 db), although most bridged designs fall somewhat short of a 4x increase due to current and/or thermal limitations. But in this case the increase in 8 ohm power capability of the mono version relative to the stereo version is almost negligible (less than 0.8 db). And as you indicated bridging reduces damping factor, while the damping factor of these monos is substantially higher than the damping factor of the stereo version.

Also as you know, paralleling can potentially increase power capability by 2x, while increasing damping factor rather than decreasing it. But IMO it doesn’t speak well of the robustness of the power supply and/or other aspects of this design that the mono version only 20% more powerful into 8 ohms than the stereo version.

In any event, it’s really a moot point as far as we are concerned, as you, I, and several other posters recommend going with the Pass amp whether the Odyssey monos are bridged or paralleled or something else.

Best regards,
-- Al

As you know, bridging can potentially increase power capability into 8 ohms by 4x

Just not to confuse others "power" is "wattage" only in this case, current is halved.
And yes Al I agree, Pass amp by a long way.

Cheers George

I'll go with the Pass as it's a respected, musical, quality amp. No offense to Odyssey - I was curious if it was close enough as it would allow me to get more power for the money. @jafox I'll check out the SL amps out of curiosity. Thanks.

Personally, I have owned 2 sets of Odyssey Monoblock Amplifiers. They were enjoyable, yet both sets were sold. No plans on buying more. I have never owned a Pass Labs amp. It sounds like they are the real deal. If the Pass Amps are anything like Balanced Audio Technology Amps, I can see the attraction.  

Nelson Pass' products are head and shoulders above anything Clause supplies. Not even in the same ballpark. My experience with Odyssey is, purchased a Candella/Kismet. Never had any trouble with noise from amps prior to this. This pair you could hear noise from the listening position. Clause send new power components including a  new transformer and had me change things out. No help. Returned it all to Clause who withheld shipping both ways and even credit card fees from my refund. Then told me all his amps make that much noise. Really? On top of that, I wasn't impressed with the sound over the noise either. I own Pass products too. Exemplary performance. If you can afford it, go with a Nelson Pass designed product.