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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
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,385 posts
 
You can buy a new Odyssey Khartago 110wpc amp for 895.00 NEW direct from Odyssey Audio. I just took delivery of a new Stratos Extreme with both the K board upgrade and cable upgrade this past Thursday. This amp replaced a 2,999.00 Classe Audio amp and even though the amp is still breaking in, it is miles ahead of the Classe. All Odyssey amps have a 20 year warranty as well. I think its a no brainer. BTW, Absolute Sound gave the Khartago amp an excellent review and named it budget product of the year.
bdgregory
1,712 posts
 
I run amps older than the DNA1s and have zero issues with them. If you're hearing popping and clicking noises I doubt it's from your amp.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here related to your cabinet situation is ventilation. If it's as tight as you say, I'd be worried about cooling with many amps (and I think the DNA needs ventilation).

Another option is a new class D or hybrid amp. I have a PS Audio HCA-2 that sounds great. They can be found used in the $600 +/- range. They are recent production and run very cool, and consume little energy at idle. The also aren't terribly big.
rebos12367
3 posts
 
KLAUS RULES PERIOD! END OF STATEMENT
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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