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Classe 201 -vs- Odyssey Stratos

OK, after all the positive feedback on the Stratos Amp, I'm wondering what sort of differences I can expect between the qualities of these two amps? The Classe 201 is 3,300.00 and the Stratos is 1200.00. I've had the Classe in my home for an audition and it was really nice, but before I spend all that money I want to try the Stratos to see if I agree with all the positive reviews.

Interestingly enough I only ordered the amp after reading the forums on AudioGon. I called Odyssey at about 6pm on Friday, and the guy who runs Odyssey (Klause) answered his cell phone while he was driving home! I think it was pretty cool that Klause had his business phone forwarded to his cell so he didn't miss a business call. I've been around audio for a long time, and I've never experienced this kind of service. However, I wil not keep the amp if it cannot match the performance of the higher priced amps.

I'm looking for feedback from others who have auditioned this amp against Classe 201.

Thanks.
mhubbard
nealhood
199 posts
 
Ease up Mhubbard. I think you are making something out of little or nothing. I did not see anything deragatory about Socrates comments in his earlier posts. Looked to me like he merely spoke what he heard in regards to comparative listening. Clearly a subjective opinion which is what we are looking for. Anyway, lighten up a bit, we are all in this hobby together.

hammergjh
157 posts
 
I agree w/ Nealhood's last response. Socrates, I didn't consider your remarks regarding the Odyssey and my perceptions of the unit as offensive in any way. Frankly, I've been thinking the same thing. Sell it and placate my wife or BUY something else! I would like to get a second opinion on the two amps in an A/B test, so I may invite an ex-audiophile, current friend over for a listening session. He used to sell audio equipment in the Boston area 20 years ago. He sold me the Hafler way back in the early 80's. My ears may not be what they used to be so a second set my be beneficial.

Over in Audiocircles I posted some initial negative responses regarding my Stratos and got all sorts of comments regarding my system. It wasn't the Odyssey's fault, is was my associated equipment. Well that might be but for 1200 bucks, I better love the amp or it's gone.
wccoe
75 posts
 
Any amplifier will only sound as good as the system's weakest link. What an Odyssey won't do is make a silk purse out of a pig's ear.
polara
72 posts
 
heck if you like the old amp better keep it and send the odyssey back, its not about how much a system costs but how well it works for YOU.
you might have found the right amp for you 20 years ago.
send back the amp and buy more music- maybe you should look into a upgrade to the hafler amp, that might be better way for you to spend your cash.
btw-i enjoy my odyssey extreme monos so much i'm talking to klaus about a amp for subwoofer duty- i hooked my monos up to my vmps large sub and the bass was sooo musical.but no way will i buy monos for my sub- i'm not that sick yet or rich.
mhubbard OP
86 posts
 
Yes, I agree that this post has gotten a little off track!

My final comment is that the fact is Socrates didn't even own a Odyssey amp in the first place. He owned a "BROKEN" ODL Amp, Which is a shame (that little detail was brought to my attention from the owner of Odyssey, who actually called me when he saw this post.). Its to bad he "reviewed" an impostor, he may have come to a different conclusion!
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