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Rotel RB1080 vs Odyssey Stratos vs McCormack DNA

I recently purchased a used Rotel RB-1080, but I am not satisfy with it. It has a click sound occasionally due to expansion/contraction because I put it in a tight cabinet, although it doesn't affect my listening, but it bothers me. I am planning to get another amp around $800. I did some research and found 2 candidates - Odyssey Stratos and McCormack DNA-1. It seems both of them are in a different class. However, they also seems to be a lot older, the Rotel I have is 2 yrs old, while I found a 9 yrs old Odyssey for $800, and I believe the McCormack is even older. I believe the capacitors degrade over time, should I keep the newer Rotel, or go for the older Odyssey or McCormack? Which one would you pick?
gte357s

Showing 1 response by magfan

magfan
1,583 posts
 
Are the popping/clicking noises from the RB the result of heat expansion. OR can you hear them thru the speakers? the 2nd one is IMO FAR worse than heat related expansion.

An amp at the 10yr + age category is shall I say.....prone....to problems. Caps age poorly. If the amp has sat for a year or so, unused, that may be an issue.

The Odyssey would be about as old as I'd go.

When i redid my system over the last few years, I was tempted by an AdCom 555, but only for a second. The amp was easily 20 years old and I'm guessing, was on the way to a full re-cap.
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