General Asylum: REVIEW: Odyssey Stratos Amplifier (SS) by Indiana

Model:	Stratos
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$995
Description:	150 watts/channel
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available

Review by Indiana ( A ) on May 03, 2002 at 05:53:08
IP Address: 168.214.86.88

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I have owned the Odyssey Stratos since August 2001. I paid $1250. U.S. with the full aluminum chassis, brushed aluminum faceplate, and 120k cap upgrade. I enjoy this amp more every day. The dynamics can be startling on good recordings. Bass is weighty, tight, and well controlled. Mids are open and smooth. Highs are articulate and detailed but not harsh. I did notice some slight grain and sibilance in vocals. I noticed this effect varied with recordings or while auditioning different speakers. I concluded that the amplifier is NOT the culprit. The amp IS transparent. I listen to a lot of old, er, "classic" rock. The recording quality on many of my cd's is poor. Klaus recommends a tubed preamp with the Stratos. Either that, or speakers will be my next upgrade. I think a good tubed pre will "soften" some of my bad recordings without stifling the dynamics and detail. I am currently auditioning Odyssey's new "Nightingale" speakers (2 1/2way floorstanders). These are the smoothest speakers I have heard in an all ss system. They are very mellow (not harsh, edgy, forward or bright)and easy to listen to. Mating these speakers to the Stratos amp has virtually eliminated all the grain and sibilance I was hearing in the vocals. I have been very happy with the Stratos and may someday (after other upgrades are complete) convert to the monoblocks. In the meantime, this amp makes me glad I decided to go solid state.

Product Weakness: Transparency. Not a weakness but a caution...this amp can reveal system weaknesses or poor recordings.
Product Strengths: Musical, clean, natural, excellent dynamics, and PRICE. Runs cool and totally quiet and never sounds stressed.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Odyssey Stratos
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Creek OBH 12 passive
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cambridge D500SE
Speakers:	Axiom M3ti / Odyssey Nightingale
Cables/Interconnects:	all Groenberg
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Mostly 60's 70's rock, British invasion stuff
Room Size (LxWxH):	24' x 18' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	wall to wall carpeting
Time Period/Length of Audition:	8 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster 2000 line conditioner (cd player only)
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Transparency. Not a weakness but a caution...this amp can reveal system weaknesses or poor recordings.
Product Strengths:	Musical, clean, natural, excellent dynamics, and PRICE. Runs cool and totally quiet and never sounds stressed.