How Do Odyssey Amps Stack Up To McCormack Amps.

I compared the Stratos to the Mccormack DNA-1 and DNA-2. The stratos wasnt even in the same league. The Odyssey product are designed to compete with Adcom and NAD. The Mccormacks are competing with Krell and Mark Levinson. Mccormack is now owned by Conrad Johnson. I thought the DNA225 was considerably more money than the Stratos??

AND... Steve McCormack (now SMCAudio.com) does fantastic mod's of his old equipment (now, he's not trying to reach cost/performance points...but to provide service).

I have a DNA 0.5 Revision A and to my ear, it blows away amps costing 4-5X as much.

The DNA-225 is around $2795 I think, and the Odyssey Mono's are $2150 a pair according to their site...but I think there is a "referece" upgrade. I would really love to here a side by side comparo. Any Odyssey owners or McCormack DNA-225 owner here in the DFW area willing to give a curios set of ears a listen?

I have heard the DNA1 too, and though none of the amps in question are anywhere near what I would call perfect, I'm sorry but the Odyssey was a clear winner to my ears, especially for its superior transparency and lack of grain. With the Odyssey you forget about the gear, forget you are listening to a recording and get lost in the truly believable performance, but with the DNA's you can't help but notice the amp. To me that aspect is very, very important. The Mc is not a bad amp, the Odyssey just much better to my ears. Others doing the same comparison have had similar experiences to mine as well, but I surely don't doubt others taste would lead them prefer the opposite conclusion! The virtues of both amps are plentiful on the net from many reviewers, pick what's more important to you and roll with it!

However, to say that the Odysseys where made to compete with NAD/Rotel makes me question if you have heard or know anything about the amps, or perhaps didn't set them up properly. They are copies of the near $4K Symponic Line amps from Germany, made in the US at much reduced cost, savings which are passed onto the consumer. WRT McCormack vs Levinson? Are you serious?!!!

Both are impressive, but I'm partial to the modded McCormacks. I don't think you will find many SS amps better than a fully modded McCormack at any price.

As for the stock versions, Peter Moncrief reviewed both and liked them almost equally if you read his International Audio Review.

Personally, I would go with the older McCormacks (DNA .5 or 1) for two reasons. First, these are the models that can be modified and the full mods surpass the current production models. Second, the McCormacks are more preamp friendly than the Odyssey. I don't think a passive preamp is advisable (and definitely not optimal) with the Odyssey.