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Odyssey Stratos monoblocks with Elac Adante AS-61

I'm currently using Elac Adante AS-61 speakers with Emotiva XPA-200 (power) and USP-1 (pre).
I really like the sound of Elac speakers but I think they will make better sound if I upgrade the amps.
So, I started to search for affordable monoblock power amps and found Odyssey Stratos mono.
http://www.odysseyaudio.com/products-stratos-mono.html
I've found so many articles about how good they are, so I'm pretty sure that they will be a good match for the Elac speakers, but I wanted to ask first what others think before purchasing the amps.

Do you think replacing the current power amps with the Odyssey monoblocks will make huge difference?
If I choose to purchase a tube preamp in the future, what would you recommend? ($1500 or below, new or used)

Thanks in advance.
henryjudy
bigddesign3
237 posts
 
Audio Alchemy DPA-1M Monoblocs for sale at US Audio Mart for $1,500. Schiit Freya (4) 6NS7 tube preamp $699. Or you could buy the  Audio Alchemy DDP-1 with PS5 power supply upgrade (preamp and DAC) $2,500 new. Sometimes the  Audio Alchemy DDP-1 can be found used or demo for much less.  Audio Alchemy is a part of ELAC now, go to their site. The amps are ordinarily $4,000 for the pair new. ELAC has used these for DEMO at Audio Shows all the time. I have the  Audio Alchemy DDP-1/PS5 combo and it is one of the best deals in audio. The  Audio Alchemy DPA-1 Stereo Amp version is also for sale at $999 (half price) at Audio Advisor. Hope this helps. You couldn't find more for the cash then these tried and true items. I own both preamps.
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,557 posts
 
I had an Odyssey Stratos amp and 2 Odyssey preamps, the Tempest and Candela. I had buzzing and low level spurious noise from all three of them. I had sent them to Odyssey to fix and after many, many months and spending $$$$, I had to sell them at a huge loss!!! I know there are fans, but never again from me. Klaus was very slow to help and almost never answered emails.
jackd
1,067 posts
 
Over the last twenty years I have owned five different Odyssey amps and still own a Kismet.  Never had a minutes trouble with any of them nor have I had a problem reaching Klaus by phone which he has made clear that he prefers.  I have never found them to be a bad match for any speaker I have paired them with.  Plus it's hard to beat a transferable 20 year warranty.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
my brother in law has a Candela driving an Khtargo, sounds sublime driving Vandersteen.....Klaus is responive via phone 

jackd
1,067 posts
 
During the vast majority of my time with Odyssey amps they have driven 2CE Sigs, 3A Sigs and for a while Treo's.  At one point when Klaus sold through dealers Johnny R was a dealer. I bought my first Stratos from a dealer when Klaus went direct sales as it was his store sample.  Odyssey and Belles were always my favorite Vandersteen amps. 
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