How do you compare the Placette and Odyssey to the Panache?
They are quite similar in the midrange, I think because they use a similar approach - a passive gain stage into a solid state amp. Where they differ is in the low end. The bass response is much more authorative with the Odyssey. It only has 80 watts more power, but it sure makes a difference in my case. Don't get me wrong, I like the Panache a whole lot, but what I was missing with my 89db efficient speakers (Silverline SR-17's) was a tighter grasp on the low end. In the highs I'd say the Panache had a slight edge, perhaps a bit more refined and less edgy. But the margin is small there. The Odyssey combo seems to have more toe-tappin drive overall, and I'm not sure if that is a result of the added fullness of range, or a combination of things. Without the Placette, and with a tube preamp in the pre stage (Cary SLP-50A) it didn't have the speed and transparency overall, and I really missed that in the midrange. The bass was great though, so I decided to pursue it further and chose the Placette, at the suggestion of a friend, because it was a logical step in the direction of the Panache.
Hope that helps.
Marco