odyssey amp's how do they compare to others

Hifying, you have every right to be concerned, suspicious, and even wrong.

The european amp that you speak of is the German amp (not french) Symphonic Line.

Klaus Bunge who is/was the U.S. importer for the Symphonic Line made a deal with them to build one of their amps in the US and sell it for under $1000. Because the Symphonic amps were so expensive (so the story goes).

Don't know if it is made in a garage or even in the back of a white van and don't care.

The results are supposedly astounding. The Absolute Sound gave it a Golden Ear award last year. The amp has been out there for over three years.

There have been legitimate reviews done on this amp and each one has sung it's praise.

Again, I have not listened to this amp myself, but I know two people who own the monoblock paired versions and both really like them.

Go to their website and find the reviews that have been done on this amp.

Never heard one these amps but have seen raves and questions about them. I do know that Moncrieff of International Audio Review fame gave them a very tall thumbs up, especially for the cash involved.

In case you're not familiar with J.Peter Moncrieff or IAR, he's not afraid to say that a product is a piece of XXXX or let you know exactly what his thoughts on a product are. This doesn't mean that he knows everything or that i would agree with everything he says, only that the "good reviews" come from both users and reviewers.

By the way, IAR doesn't accept advertising or advertising dollars. Sean
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Actually, the count now stands at 75 perfect review (not to be taken as either an asserion or a snide remark, just a factaul comment).

KP

Since when does magazine exposure and acceptance equate value and quality? Please, many well known audio publications will proclaim the most expensive pieces of equipment to be the best which is utterly ridiculus. However, without the support of many of the big, expensive well known hi-end companies these magazines would not have any chance of survival. This is simply some of the unfortunate but true politics of hi-fi.

Thorty40, point well taken. And I've heard this point many times before. And because of what I think I know, I have in the past and do agree with you now at least to a very good extent.

However, I kinda' bounce back and forth. For example, when somebody says a product is highly suspiscious and no good, and I've heard nothing but the contrary, then I'll use those same reviews to substantiate my opinion. Even though I don't put much weight into the reviews.

Good point though.

Oh, well. It's just a hobby and 50 years from now it won't matter to me anyway.