Well after reading these replies and with what I did a little research on, I am kinda thinking of contacting Klaus at Odyssey about the Tempest pre possibly with or without the HT/Bypass. Hence the fact that it might be just what I need is to match an Odyssey Tempest to my Stratos Extreme. From other things I have read and others that have told me that, yes, it might take Klaus some time to do what I am looking for, but I am not in a huge hurry to do this.
WHAT are some other options for the Pre with the HT/Bypass, other than the Belles and maybe Odyssey??
As far as my budget goes, not really sure what I should set it at to do this addition/upgrade. I will say I don't want to spend much more than $750-800 to do this, and the less money spent the better. I know if you want quality and for it to be something you don't want to be replacing in 3-6 months, but something kept for a very long time, one will have to spend maybe a little more than wanted.
As to what features and specs I should be looking for in this piece, not really sure other than I know I want to hear more detail, with deeper extended bass response, highs that are not harsh, with a good balanced midrange. Something that has a good neutral sound with out killing my bank account. The most bang for MY buck.
If I am going to spend the money to get a 2 channel pre, being that I have options, I am going to find one or have one made that does the HT/Bypass. Not sure that speaker placement can have much to do with opening up the music detail more, as I don't have that big of a space to move them around in. In fact where my speakers are, is the only place I can put them. I have heard that a cubed room is the worst for music response. I don't have that problem, I have angled ceilings all through out my "above a garage" apartment, which from what I under stand is better for the sound. By having the speakers facing into the longest length of the room, is also better for the music response, not much else I can do for placement, that I know of.
WHAT are some other options for the Pre with the HT/Bypass, other than the Belles and maybe Odyssey??
As far as my budget goes, not really sure what I should set it at to do this addition/upgrade. I will say I don't want to spend much more than $750-800 to do this, and the less money spent the better. I know if you want quality and for it to be something you don't want to be replacing in 3-6 months, but something kept for a very long time, one will have to spend maybe a little more than wanted.
As to what features and specs I should be looking for in this piece, not really sure other than I know I want to hear more detail, with deeper extended bass response, highs that are not harsh, with a good balanced midrange. Something that has a good neutral sound with out killing my bank account. The most bang for MY buck.
If I am going to spend the money to get a 2 channel pre, being that I have options, I am going to find one or have one made that does the HT/Bypass. Not sure that speaker placement can have much to do with opening up the music detail more, as I don't have that big of a space to move them around in. In fact where my speakers are, is the only place I can put them. I have heard that a cubed room is the worst for music response. I don't have that problem, I have angled ceilings all through out my "above a garage" apartment, which from what I under stand is better for the sound. By having the speakers facing into the longest length of the room, is also better for the music response, not much else I can do for placement, that I know of.